Hi, I’m Dr. Cassandra Kandah, PhD, LCP
Chronic Health Psychologist in Chicago, IL
People who work with me often say they feel “gotten” in a way they haven’t before especially if they’ve felt dismissed, minimized, or misunderstood in medical settings. I believe your symptoms are real, your fears make sense, and your story deserves to be heard in full, not rushed through in a 10‑minute appointment.
If you’re navigating chronic illness, recovering from medical trauma, or carrying the invisible weight of caregiving, you don’t have to sort it out alone. My role is to walk alongside you, help you make sense of what you’ve been through, and support you in rebuilding safety, trust, and possibility in your life.
My path into this work began long before
I became a psychologist…
I grew up as a caregiver at a young age, which gave me a deep, personal understanding of what it means to carry responsibility for someone else’s health while trying to hold your own life together. That experience continues to shape how I show up with clients: grounded, practical, and compassionate toward the very real burdens you’re carrying.
My work in healthcare spans more than 20 years and includes seeing the system from multiple angles not just as a psychologist. Earlier in my career, I worked as a nurse assistant in hospice and long‑term care, supporting individuals and families through end‑of‑life and chronic, debilitating illness. I also worked as a rehabilitation technician with people recovering from traumatic brain injuries, witnessing how suddenly life can change and how overwhelming the adjustment process can be.
These experiences deeply inform the way I practice today. I understand hospital corridors, medical jargon, the rushed appointments, and the emotional whiplash of getting new information about your health. I also understand how invalidating it can be when your fear, pain, or trauma aren’t fully seen by the medical system.
Credentials & Special Trainings
I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, where I focused on health psychology and the intersection between physical and emotional well‑being. I then completed a fellowship in Behavioral Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, working alongside medical teams to support patients facing complex and often frightening health conditions.
My approach is trauma‑informed, collaborative, and grounded in evidence‑based treatments such as CBT, ACT, and other modalities that have strong research support for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and adjustment to illness. I also integrate health psychology strategies like gentle behavior changes around sleep, movement, and nutrition when and if they feel accessible, to support your emotional recovery and overall well‑being. This is never about perfection or “fixing” you; it’s about finding small, realistic ways to feel more in control and more at home in your body and your life.
Areas of Specialization
Beyond my work in the United States, I’ve been involved in global health efforts, providing care to Ugandan nationals and African refugees coping with post‑traumatic stress disorder. This work reinforced my respect for resilience in the face of profound adversity and strengthened my commitment to trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive care.
In my current practice, I focus on:
Medical trauma and PTSD related to procedures, hospitalizations, childbirth, ICU stays, or frightening diagnoses
Chronic illness and chronic pain, including the grief, isolation, and identity changes that come with long‑term health conditions
Health anxiety and fears related to symptoms, test results, and medical appointments
Caregiver stress and burnout for those supporting loved ones with significant medical needs