What We Address 

Kairos Chronic Pain Coaching works one-on-one in private coaching sessions with adults, teens, and children.

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We are also proud to offer family sessions.​ 

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Here are just a few broad areas that Kairos Chronic Pain Coaching specializes in: 

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•  Anger Management

• Anxiety 

  • Agoraphobia 

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 

  • Panic Disorder

  • Phobias

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) (previously known as social phobia) 

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Bipolar Disorder (BD)

• Chronic COVID Syndrome (CCS)  and "Neuro-COVID (previously known as "COVID Long-Hauler Syndrome")

• Chronic Pain + Chronic Illness and Comorbidities 

• Depression

• Grief (adult and childhood grief and pet loss)

• Isolation/Loneliness 

• Insomnia (and fragmented sleep)

• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRD)  ​

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To see a complete list of what types of chronic pain, chronic illness, and mental health conditions we work on, please click here! 

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If you are interested in working with us professionally, please click here. 

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How We Differ From Traditional Therapy

As I stated before, after struggling with my own intense depression and anxiety for over a year, it became painfully apparent that medications and talk-therapy just weren't working. Something was missing--something I desperately needed...coping skills. 

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Often, when we are struggling with our mental and physical health, it truly feels like our minds and bodies have been hijacked. I know that during my clinical depression, I felt SO out of control, SO hopeless, and SO victimized by my own body and mind.  So, when I had the opportunity to design my own practice, I decided that a cornerstone of the curriculum would be teaching those struggling that they ARE in fact, in control of their, thoughts, actions, reactions, and behaviors.   

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In 1984, Lazarus and Folkman suggested that individuals in stressful situations face two tasks: they need to solve the problem and regulate their emotions. Which, is why, emotional regulation and problem-focused strategies are fundamental in our work together. 

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Though coaching sessions will be custom-tailored to your specific needs, all coaching sessions will include:

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1. The introduction and education of a new coping technique, and the research/reason why that coping technique is effective

2. Practicing that technique until it becomes mastered usually through a series of "homework assignments" that build upon the new skills. 

3. A discussion regarding any difficulties or successes when implementing that new skill. 

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That's not to say that there aren't times when clients might also need the support of "traditional therapy" and psychiatric care. However, we decided, this too, should be approached in a different way.

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As suggested by the National Institute of Health, and arguably, the most overlooked, yet most critical component in the treatment of any health problem is providing care for both the family unit and the identified patient. 

Originated by psychiatrist, Dr. Murray Bowen and founder of the Georgetown University Family Center, the Kairos Chronic Pain Coaching uses the "family systems theory" as our program's fundamental guiding principle. 

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Family theory dictates that what affects one family member affects the others. 

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We didn't stop at just incorporating "family systems theory" into our coaching programs - I decided to partner with the Founder and Clinical Director, of Hellenic Therapy Center, Maria Sikoutris-DiIorio, MA, Ed.S., LPC, who studied alongside The Bowen Center's best and brightest and uses the Bowen Theory in her private practice.

How We Teach Coping Strategies

Believe it or not, the mental health world has not come to an agreement about core coping categories. In other words, despite there being numerous coping conceptualization proposals, there isn't one model that everyone follows. Therefore, most mental health professionals use several different methods. 

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I use an amalgamation of behavior therapy techniques, cognitive therapy techniques, and integrative/holistic therapy techniques.

But what are coping strategies? I don't like relying on Wikipedia for much, however, I do happen to love their definition of coping. It states that "coping means to invest one's own conscious effort, to solve personal and interpersonal problems, in order to try to master, minimize or tolerate stress and conflict." See, pretty good, eh? 

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Lazarus and Folkman (1984) suggested that individuals in stressful situations face two tasks: they need to solve the problem and regulate their emotions. In other words, according to this model, there are two types of coping responses emotion-focused and problem focused.

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Though there are several coping strategies I use with my clients, here are just a few that I rely heavily on upon: 

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• Anger-Management Skills 

• Art Therapy 

• Attention-Shifting Strategies/Escapism

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Skills

• Cognitive Restructuring (CR)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills 

• Exposure Therapy Techniques 

• Mindfulness

• Problem-Focused Strategies 

• Reframing 

• Relaxation Techniques 

• Time-Management Skills