Description: Chronic illness can affect every single aspect of a person's life, including romantic relationships. Grounded in evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), this grief-informed guide shows readers--and their partners--how to navigate the challenges of a chronic illness diagnosis, communicate effectively, and strengthen their bond at each stage of the journey for a lasting and healthy relationship.
Brief description:
Lisa Gray, LMFT, is a licensed mental health professional with a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she specializes in high-conflict couples and chronic illness/pain. After working as an air traffic controller for ten years, and serving as a peer-debriefing counselor for fellow controllers, Gray decided to go back to school to study counseling. She graduated from John F. Kennedy University in 2004 with a master's degree in clinical counseling, and has been working in the field ever since. Gray is passionate about teaching couples to practice healthy conflict, so that their relationships can thrive and grow. Gray reviews self-help books on her Instagram, Therapy Book Nook. She lives in the Bay Area with her family and three large dogs.
Review Quotes:
"Thriving in a Relationship When You Have Chronic Illness is a compassionate, practical guide that brings clarity, empathy, and hope to a deeply challenging experience. Lisa Gray beautifully weaves 'well partner' and 'sick partner' perspectives with mindful, actionable tools. A must-read for anyone navigating love in the context of illness."
--Shayna Kaufmann, PhD, psychologist, mindfulness teacher, and author of Embrace theMiddle