Compassionate Care for Chronic Illness and Medical Trauma
LISSA KHEMA MERKEL, LCSW, LAADC
My Story
In 1999 I found myself in an ER, soon admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery. An almost month-long hospitalization followed. During this hospital stay, I had many frightening and damaging experiences. Everything was new to me. I didn't know anything about advocating for myself. After discharge, I was really shaken and suffered what I now understand to be medical trauma. I was lucky to have a great therapist to help me process the strong feelings I had about what had happened to me.
In 2016 I developed a chronic illness. This is what lead me to ultimately change the focus of my practice to helping those who are experiencing medical trauma and/or managing a chronic illness. I know what it feels like to be ill, and I know what it is like to have to navigate a sometimes unfriendly and difficult medical system.
Such experiences can cause a wide range of emotions and can include some very difficult situations that need processing and healing.
If any of this feels like what you are going through, I hope you will reach out to me.
Best,
Lissa