Dr. Elizabeth A. Mellin

There are seasons when survival asks too much of us — when we lose touch with ourselves, with the ground beneath us. When the body feels like a battleground. When even rest feels out of reach. I offer insurance-accessible therapy for people living at the crossroads — where chronic illness and trauma meet. Trauma can take root in many places: childhood neglect, family conflict, abuse, medical gaslighting, religious harm, or years of being unseen, unsafe, or made to feel not enough. Over time, that kind of stress reshapes the body — not just the mind. Living in survival mode for years can rewire the nervous system, impact the immune system, and change how pain and fatigue are processed. This is often where trauma and chronic illness begin to intertwine. Many people I work with live with fibromyalgia, long COVID, autoimmune conditions, POTS, chronic pain, or a deep exhaustion no amount of sleep can fix — along with the heartbreak of having their symptoms dismissed or minimized. Their stories are often misunderstood, their bodies doubted, their suffering unseen — leaving behind wounds that are as physical as they are emotional. Chronic illness reshapes everything: the relationships we lean on, our connection to sex and intimacy, the work we’re able to do, and how fully we can come home to ourselves. If this is where you find yourself, you’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re surviving — and your body has been telling the story all along. I’m Liz — a queer therapist whose own unspoken trauma became illness, fatigue, and pain. I sought out advanced training in mindfulness, sex, and trauma therapy to support myself and others walking a similar path. My approach is warm, welcoming, with dashes of dark humor along the way. Our work together begins with care, patience, and deep respect for everything your body has had to carry. Therapy with me meets you exactly where you are—flare day, frustrated day, hopeful day. We can explore emotional overwhelm, illness-related stress, sexual challenges, relationship struggles, traumatic experiences, communication with doctors, and the simple but radical act of rest and recovery. Together, we weave emotional steadiness, somatic practices, nervous system care, and attachment repair, always at the pace your body is ready for. Sessions often begin with breath, stillness, or simply noticing: the ground beneath you, the ache in your bones, the places asking for care. Whether it’s grief, anger, fatigue, shame, or longing — we make room for it all, slowly and with compassion. I draw from somatic therapy, attachment-based work, trauma-informed, and sex-positive care. Together, we’ll follow your body’s lead — not a treatment manual. We won’t rush, fix, or perform. We’ll stay curious, kind, and present. Over time, you may notice meaningful improvements in your overall well-being. Many people experience less pain and distress, develop stronger coping tools, and feel more emotionally steady. Therapy for chronic illness and trauma can also support greater ease in managing everyday tasks, navigating medical care, and sticking with treatment plans. You may notice more confidence in your decisions, stronger relationships, and a growing sense of resilience—even when facing long-term illness. In some cases, this kind of support can even help slow the progression of disease. Rooted and Returning Therapy is a space to feel, to rest, and to recover — at your own pace, in your own way. If you're ready, I'm here to meet you — wherever you are today. I invite you to schedule a consultation. We’ll take it at your pace, together.