Chronic Illness Health Psychologist in Chicago, IL
Hi, I’m Dr. Cassandra Kandah, PhD, LCP.
I know that living with medical trauma or a chronic illness can feel isolating, overwhelming, and exhausting especially when it seems like no one truly “gets it.” You may be frustrated that your body doesn’t cooperate the way it used to, anxious before every appointment or test result, or replaying painful medical experiences long after they’re over. Perhaps you’re grieving the life you had before your diagnosis, feeling misunderstood by friends, family, or even doctors, or questioning your own resilience because you’re “still not over it.” Many people in your position struggle with fear, guilt, or shame about needing help, and worry they’re being “too sensitive” or “too much.” In our work together, I honor how real and valid your physical and emotional pain is and help you find steadier ground, more self-compassion, and practical ways to cope so you don’t have to carry this alone.
My path into this work began long before I became a psychologist…
I was a caregiver to my grandparents in my late teens into early adulthood, 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
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 Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (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
Types of Therapies
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CBT helps you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and habits that fuel anxiety, depression, health anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. It’s especially useful for managing chronic illness, improving mood, and supporting behavior changes like sleep, medication use, and activity.
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DescriptCBT-I is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatment designed to target the underlying causes of chronic insomnia. By combining cognitive strategies to reframe sleep anxiety with behavioral techniques like stimulus control and sleep restriction, CBT-I helps break the cycle of sleeplessness and restore healthy, sustainable sleep patterns.ion text goes here
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CBT-CP is a structured, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage persistent pain by addressing the complex interplay between thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. By teaching cognitive coping strategies, activity pacing, and relaxation techniques, CBT-CP empowers individuals to reduce pain-related distress, improve physical functioning, and restore quality of life.
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MI is a collaborative way of talking about change. I use it to strengthen your own motivation to follow treatment plans, adjust health behaviors, reduce avoidance linked to anxiety or PTSD, and move forward when you feel stuck.
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ACT helps you relate differently to pain, fear, and difficult emotions instead of fighting them. It supports coping with chronic illness, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma by building mindfulness and helping you take actions guided by your values.
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CPT is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, including medical trauma. We target unhelpful beliefs about safety, trust, control, or your body after trauma, reducing PTSD symptoms, guilt, and shame.
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NET is useful when there have been repeated or long-term traumas. Together we create a coherent story of your life and traumatic events, helping your brain process them and lessen PTSD symptoms.
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DBT skills offer concrete tools for managing intense emotions, impulsivity, and conflict. I use them to help with anxiety, depression, ADHD-related emotion swings, and the stress of chronic illness through mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and communication skills.
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Existential therapy addresses questions of meaning, identity, and mortality that often arise with chronic illness, disability, and trauma. It helps you find purpose and direction even while living with anxiety, depression, or loss.
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Feminist therapy considers how gender, culture, and power affect your experience of illness and mental health. We address medical gaslighting, stigma, and role expectations, focusing on empowerment, boundaries, and using your voice in healthcare and relationships.
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End-of-life support provides a calm, honest space to talk about advanced illness, fears, grief, and decisions. I blend these approaches to ease anxiety and depression, process trauma and loss, and prioritize comfort, connection, and meaning.
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Across these therapies, health psychology focuses on how your mind and body interact. We work on coping with symptoms, pain, and flares; managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, or ADHD; and building daily routines that serve your values—not just your diagnosis.
Interests outside of therapy
My family is the most important part of my life. As a mother to twins and a partner to a very busy spouse, I understand first hand how wonderful and complex it can be to navigate parenting while balancing work and all of life’s demands. This lived experience shapes the empathy, patience, and understanding I bring to the people I support, especially those juggling multiple roles and responsibilities.
I’ve always believed that nature is one of our greatest healers. Outside of the therapy room, you can usually find me on a hiking trail or with my hands in the garden. These moments outdoors help me stay grounded, present, and connected, the same values I also bring into my work.
I’m also deeply passionate about animals. My dog, Lexi, is often by my side during sessions. I’ve had her since she was a puppy, and she’s become a steady source of comfort and joy for my family, friends, and many of the people I work with. Whether it’s a quiet walk in the woods, time with my children, or a calming moment with Lexi, I value the simple, natural connections that help us feel safe, seen, and at ease.
Personal Values
Evidence Based Practice
Goal Directed
Lifelong Learning
Care for Both Body and Mind
Respect & Dignity
Cultural Humility
Resilience & Responsibility
Social Justice
What to expect from your work with me.
People who work with me often say they feel genuinely “gotten” for the first time, especially if they’ve felt dismissed, minimized, or misunderstood in medical settings. If you’ve been rushed, brushed off, or told it’s “just anxiety,” I want you to know: your symptoms are real, your fears make sense, and your story deserves time and care.
I specialize in chronic illness and medical trauma, and early on we’ll set clear, realistic goals together. Using evidence-based approaches, we’ll focus on what matters most to you, whether that’s coping with uncertainty, processing past medical experiences, or finding direction when life feels upended.
My style is goal-oriented, warm, and straightforward. I’m not just a “talking head” repeating, “How do you feel about that?” You can expect an authentic relationship, honest feedback, and practical tools you can actually use.
I believe a strong therapeutic alliance can be deeply healing, helping you build healthier relationships, communicate your health needs more confidently, and begin to trust your own experience again.