The Chronic Illness Therapists

Destiny Davis LPC CRC
  • 5.0 (31)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Disrupting the mental health and medical system for people with chronic, invisible illnesses. We will no longer accept lack of answers, empathy, and guidance from the professionals we are told to trust. It’s not in your head, you are not a burden, and we’ll prove that to you one episode at a time. I'm an Atlanta-based mental health therapist specializing in chronic pain / invisible illnesses. This podcast is for educational and insight purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for mental health treatment. Always seek medical advice before making changes to your health regimens.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ep 118: Navigating Relationships When Chronic Illness Changes Everything with Lisa Gray LMFT

    FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP ⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!⁠⁠ JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) Episode summary: In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Gray shares practical strategies for maintaining healthy relationships when chronic illness enters the picture—whether you're navigating high-conflict dynamics or learning to communicate through the unique challenges of chronic pain and fatigue. In this conversation, we cover: ● Why externalizing chronic illness as a "third partner" helps couples team up against the problem instead of blaming each other—even when both partners are grieving in different directions ● How to have scheduled, calm conversations using the speaker-listener framework so you actually understand each other before jumping to problem-solving ● Why intimacy can become even more intimate when you scale back to sensual touch and connection—and how to navigate those conversations without guilt or pressure ● The importance of the well partner taking care of themselves (and why it's the ill partner's job to encourage that), plus creative solutions for managing household responsibilities as a team Lisa reminds us that healthy conflict isn't just about reducing fights—it's also about being brave enough to have the hard conversations chronic illness demands. Her work focuses on teaching couples to stay connected, communicate with empathy, and renegotiate their relationship over and over as illness evolves—because this is chronic, and the adjustments never really end. MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / Twitter / TikTok ⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠ ASK DESTINY ANYTHING → ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠ FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS: JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ 🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses) 🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠) WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :) 💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ 🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

    52 min

  2. FEB 16

    Ep 117: Wellness When You're Chronically Ill Isn't What You Think It Is with Dr. Victoria Rodriguez, LPC

    FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP ⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!⁠⁠ JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) Episode summary: In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Victoria Rodriguez, PhD, LPC, a licensed professional counselor in New Orleans, Louisiana. In her private practice, she specializes in medical trauma and provides wellness trainings for professionals and healthcare organizations. She also serves on the Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Board with the Louisiana Department of Health to advance equitable medical care across the state. In this conversation, we cover: The social model of disability and practical tools like a daily “tension list” and workplace accommodations (including resources like the Job Accommodation Network) to reduce physical and psychological strain. A reimagined approach to wellness: seasonal capacity, community care in chronic illness, and how cultural and family context shape our relationship to pain, rest, and asking for help. Clinical considerations for chronically ill therapists, including self-disclosure, managing countertransference, and building rest into your schedule before burnout. Why accommodations and comfort are acts of self-worth—and how accessibility practices (like those modeled at the Chronic Illness Therapist Conference) reflect the belief that wellness is about environment, not earning rest. Victoria reminds us that wellness isn’t about being cured or perfectly “healthy”—it’s about intentionally designing your environment and practice so you can show up fully. She challenges the idea that rest must be earned through productivity, arguing instead that comfort is a basic human right. For chronically ill therapists doing complex work, that message is both grounding and revolutionary. MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ Join Victoria's next FREE training "The Home-Based Practice: Intentional Design for the Chronically Ill Telehealth Therapist" to learn how to design your office and practice to build a successful business AND prioritize your comfort.  Register at homebasedtherapist.com ⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠ ASK DESTINY ANYTHING → ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠ FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS: JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ 🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses) 🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠) WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :) 💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ 🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

    1h 5m

  3. FEB 12

    Ep 116: Why Chronic Illness Requires Specialty | Chronic Illness Therapists Conference

    🏢 WE’RE HOSTING THE CHRONIC ILLNESS THERAPISTS CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6 & 7, 2026! REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off! Episode Summary: In this episode, therapists Destiny Davis and Victoria Rodriguez explain why chronic illness requires specialized clinical training beyond traditional therapy approaches and discuss the first-ever Chronic Illness Therapist Conference. They explore common treatment goals for chronically ill clients—including communicating needs without feeling burdensome, learning to rest and pace, and navigating accommodations—while debunking the myth that all major medical experiences are inherently traumatic and addressing how environmental factors and systemic issues often contribute to medical trauma. REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ Use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off!

    14 min

  4. FEB 12

    Ep 115: Why Empathy Is Not Enough For Chronic Illness

    🏢 WE’RE HOSTING THE CHRONIC ILLNESS THERAPISTS CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6 & 7, 2026! ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE! Use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off! Episode Summary: In this episode, therapists Destiny Davis and Victoria Rodriguez discuss why empathy alone isn't enough when working with chronically ill clients and share insights about the first-ever Chronic Illness Therapist Conference. They explore the importance of understanding medical terminology, disability theory, and evidence-based frameworks, beyond just lived experience and compassion, to effectively support clients navigating chronic illness, medical trauma, and the US healthcare system. ⁠REGISTER HERE and use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off!

    13 min

  5. FEB 6

    Ep 114: When Money Stress Meets Chronic Illness: What Financial Therapy Actually Is with Megan Stevenson LCSW, CFSW

    FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP ⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!⁠⁠ JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) Episode summary: In this episode, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Financial Social Worker Megan Stevenson shares practical insights on navigating the financial and emotional complexities of chronic illness. Through her private practice, Curiosity Counseling and Consulting, Megan helps individuals and caregivers manage the unique intersection of money stress, healthcare costs, and the emotional weight of living with conditions like chronic kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In this conversation, we cover: What financial therapy really is—why it focuses on the emotional relationship with money rather than just budgeting, and how common money blocks like impulsive spending and shame show up with chronic illness Practical strategies for navigating healthcare costs, including offsetting expenses through patient assistance programs, understanding hidden insurance benefits, and finding community resources Why the healthcare system is working exactly as designed (just not for patients or providers), the critical need for care coordinators, and how providers can build coalitions to advocate for systemic change Megan reminds us that money is a skill that takes time to develop, and that financial stress during chronic illness isn't a personal failing, but a predictable response to a system that was never designed to support patient wellbeing. Her work emphasizes the importance of addressing both the practical financial literacy side and the deeper emotional and trauma work that shapes our relationship with money. MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / Facebook / Threads ⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠ ASK DESTINY ANYTHING → ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠ FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS: JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ 🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses) 🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠) WANT TO SAY THANKS? Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :) 💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ 🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

    44 min

  6. JAN 31

    For those who don’t know what to say right now | Ep 113

    In this episode, I reflect on the emotional and nervous system impacts of current socio-political events. I discuss the progression of my own relationship with news and politics, emphasizing the importance of staying informed while managing emotional and sensory overload. I encourage you to find and consume more neutral news sources, build capacity for conflict, and observe effective communication styles in order to find your voice. I highlight the significance of grounding ourselves in the midst of conflict and recognizing personal limits, aiming to provide guidance for those feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about how to respond to ongoing societal issues.

    13 min

  7. JAN 30

    Ep 112: Learning to Partner With Your Body (Instead of Fighting It) with Jason Therrien DPT

    FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE FOR THERAPISTS AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP ⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!⁠⁠ DOWNLOAD JASON'S "THE BEAR" WORKSHEET JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) Episode summary: In this episode, physical therapist and health coach Jason Therrien shares his compassionate approach to helping people rebuild trust with their bodies after chronic pain has damaged that relationship. In this conversation, we cover: The "bear metaphor" for understanding pain flares and why you need to calm the bear before building strength Why "grace leads to growth but shame leads to more of the same" when rebuilding trust with your body The five foundations of body partnership: body awareness, intention, body knowledge, body responsiveness, and body relationship How graded motor imagery can reduce the nervous system's threat response to movements Why most people with chronic pain aren't afraid to move but are actually afraid of what might happen if they stop pushing through Jason reminds us that most people with chronic pain aren't afraid to move; they've spent years pushing through pain and have incredibly high pain tolerances. The real fear is often about what might happen if they stop pushing, which keeps them trapped in cycles of boom and bust. His work focuses on helping people develop a more collaborative, compassionate relationship with their bodies that honors both rest and growth. MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / YouTube / LinkedIn / TikTok ⁠⁠ → ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠ ASK DESTINY ANYTHING → ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠ FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS: JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ 🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses) 🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠) WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :) 💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ 🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

    1h 7m

  8. 12/19/2025

    Ep 111: What Therapy Actually Looks Like When You Have POTS with Dr. Laurie Dos Santos

    FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE TRAINING Jan 10th! The Countertransference & Chronic Illness Intensive ⁠Click here to register!⁠ 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP The Masks We Wear: Navigating Chronic Illness in Social Contexts on January 3rd! ⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Register Here! JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) Episode summary: In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Laurie Dos Santos shares her approach to supporting adolescents and young adults with POTS, dysautonomia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. With advanced training in these often-dismissed conditions and a background in designing innovative support groups, Dr. Dos Santos brings both clinical expertise and genuine warmth to her work with young people navigating complex medical and mental health challenges. Dr. Dos Santos reminds us that even with the best intentions, the healthcare system consistently dismisses people with POTS and dysautonomia. Her practice, Evolvinn Therapy and Consulting, now serves clients across 43 states and runs 13 chronic illness support groups, creating the community and specialized care that this population desperately needs. MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / Facebook ⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠ ASK DESTINY ANYTHING → ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠ FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS: JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness → ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments) FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: 🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ 🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses) 🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠) WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :) 💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ 🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

    43 min
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5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Disrupting the mental health and medical system for people with chronic, invisible illnesses. We will no longer accept lack of answers, empathy, and guidance from the professionals we are told to trust. It’s not in your head, you are not a burden, and we’ll prove that to you one episode at a time. I'm an Atlanta-based mental health therapist specializing in chronic pain / invisible illnesses. This podcast is for educational and insight purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for mental health treatment. Always seek medical advice before making changes to your health regimens.

Information

  • Creator
    Destiny Davis LPC CRC
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Destiny Davis LPC CRC
  • Show Website
    The Chronic Illness Therapists

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