Thank you for inquiring about the Battle Buddies: Virtual Chronic Pain/Illness Support Group at Legacy Counseling Services. This group is only for INDIVIDUALS AGES 25 AND OLDER. Please complete the form if you are interested in being considered for the support group. Space is limited. This information will be kept private and confidential as it is virtually stored in our HIPAA compliant email system through Google Suites.

The group meets every Tuesdays of the month from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. The first Tuesday of each month is more of an experiential, Internal Family Systems, meeting in which we explore and connect with the parts of us that need kindness and compassion as we go continue on life's journey and manage pain/illness. At the beginning of each month, we will discuss a new topic that impacts how you view yourself, how you manage your pain/illness, and how you live your life. We will then spend the remainder of the monthly meetings discussing what the topic means specifically for you in your life, and get support from others in the group as you work to implement what you learn. We will discuss how you view yourself and your life. This is a "pay as you go" group so that you can have the flexibility you need and not have to pay "no-show" fees when you aren't able to come or you just feel absolutely miserable.

In this group you you will get support from others who understand what it’s like to walk in your shoes and learn several skills that are evidence-based and scientifically shown to help you enjoy life…even though you have chronic pain/illness. We use a blend of Internal Family Systems theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. Some of the skills you will learn include:

The Gate Control Theory (what most medical doctors are not taught about in medical school)
How thoughts, behaviors, and emotions affect pain and what to do about it,
Relaxation strategies to ease pain,
Activity pacing and how it can prevent the “push-crash-burn” cycle; the "spoon theory"
How to make plans for “flare days”
How to prevent relapse
Grief
Shame
Being assertive and setting boundaries
Ideas and support from others with chronic pain and illness