MILIKA CENTER FOR THERAPY & RESILIENCE
Top-Rated Los Angeles Therapy for Chronic Illness
Are you and your family feeling overwhelmed by the weight of a chronic illness?
Maybe your little one was just diagnosed with a chronic illness or experienced medical trauma. Or maybe their symptoms have changed or worsened and your family is dealing with a new set of stressors. Maybe you’ve recently noticed the toll your child’s illness has taken on their siblings and you aren’t sure how to navigate it.
The physical limitations, emotional ups and downs, hospitalizations,, and constant uncertainty of chronic illnesses can often take a toll on the whole family. That's why therapy for chronic illness is essential for supporting both you and your child’s mental health alongside your physical health.
Finding strength and resilience beyond the symptoms
Located in Los Angeles, Milika Center for Therapy and Resilience understands that navigating these complex experiences requires a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and support. Our dedicated team of therapists is here to provide a safe and understanding space where you and your loved ones can process your emotions, develop coping skills, and find renewed hope.
We offer online therapy throughout California and in-office sessions in Encino and Brentwood, CA. Together, we'll work to empower you and your family to live a more fulfilling and resilient life.
Understanding the Impact of Chronic Diseases on Mental Health
Chronic disease can have a profound effect on your child’s (and family members’) mental health, often leading to a range of emotional challenges, such as:
Stress
The constant worry about symptoms, treatments, and future uncertainties can create a state of chronic stress, which can contribute to anxiety, depression, and exacerbate physical health problems.
Anxiety
Living with a chronic illness can trigger feelings of anxiety about pain, disability, the potential for worsening symptoms, and even death. This can lead to avoidance behaviors, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating.
Depression
The emotional toll of chronic illnesses can sometimes lead to depression, characterized by sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities.
Isolation
The physical limitations and social challenges associated with chronic illness can often lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
At Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, we understand that these emotions and challenges are not just side effects; they are significant obstacles in their own right.
Our chronic illness therapy services are designed to acknowledge these challenges head-on, providing strategies and support to help you and your family manage the emotional toll of chronic illness, reinforcing your resilience, and helping you find joy and satisfaction in life despite your child’s health challenges.
What is Chronic Illness Therapy?
Counseling for chronic illness and medical trauma is a specialized form of therapy that addresses the unique emotional and psychological challenges faced by individuals living with chronic illness as well as their families. These conditions, which persist over years or even a lifetime, can lead to significant mental health challenges and psychological symptoms.
Some common examples of chronic illnesses include:
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
- Organ transplantation
- …and more.
What is pediatric medical trauma?
In addition to helping families through their child’s chronic illness, we also specialize in treating medical trauma. Recognizing and addressing pediatric medical trauma is crucial to supporting a child’s overall well-being and fostering resilience during their healthcare journey.
Here are some examples of experiences that can cause pediatric medical trauma.
How finding a therapist for chronic illness & medical trauma can help:
At Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, we use research-backed and cutting-edge treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and virtual reality therapy, to help children and families process their experiences and emotions, as well as build resilience to help them navigate their medical journeys.
The expert therapists at MILIKA integrate cognitive behavioral therapy and virtual reality therapy within a trauma-informed lens to yield positive treatment outcomes. Through this unique therapeutic approach, our clinicians use VR to gradually expose your child to the environment that causes them stress (such as a doctor’s appointment where they’re getting a shot). This allows us to give your child in-the-moment support, working through their fears and practicing coping skills in real-time to prepare for the actual situation without having to step foot in an actual medical clinic.
Here’s a look at some of the other ways that therapy for chronic illness and medical trauma can help.
- Learn effective coping mechanisms to reduce stress and anxiety related to chronic illness.
- Address feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or isolation that may accompany chronic conditions.
- Build confidence and self-worth despite the challenges of chronic illness.
- Acquire strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.
- Strengthen social connections, improve communication and understanding with loved ones.
- Build resilience to navigate the ups and downs of living with a chronic illness.
- Manage stress, anxiety, and medical trauma associated with treatment procedures, surgeries, hospitalizations, and other components of navigating illness.
- Overcome barriers that may stand in the way of following your child’s treatment plan, such as struggling with taking medications or having a fear of needles.
- Provide developmental guidance and support to parents, equipping them with the tools to support their child while also taking care of themselves.
- Provide developmental guidance and support to parents, equipping them with tools to navigate their child's unique needs, prioritize self-care and stress management, as well as foster a supportive environment for the whole family
Meet 3 Top-Rated Therapists Experienced in Chronic Illness & Medical Trauma
At the Milika Center for Therapy and Resilience, our team is composed of highly qualified professionals who specialize in understanding and treating the psychological impacts of chronic illness.
1. Kanchi Wijesekera, Ph.D.
Dr. Kanchi Wijesekera brings a compassionate approach to her therapy sessions and is committed to nurturing resilience and promoting mental well-being. Having served as the Outpatient Director of Clinical Psychology at the UCLA Pediatric Heart Transplant Center, Dr. Kanchi has a deep understanding of the impact of medical trauma and chronic health conditions on the mental health of both the individual with the chronic health condition and their family members.
Here's a bit more about her professional background.
- Credentials: Licensed Clinical Psychologist California #27052
- Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University, internship (residency) at CHOC Children’s Hospital, and postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute.
- Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Trauma-Informed Care, Virtual Reality Therapy, Focus Families Overcoming Under Stress (FOCUS), Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Focused, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Additional Specialties: Anxiety Disorders, Resilience Training, Depression, Trauma, Self-Esteem And Empowerment, Life Transitions/Adjustment Problems, Stress Management and Relaxation Training, Chronic Medical Condition / Medical Trauma, Expecting and New Mothers (Perinatal/Maternal Mental Health), Student-Athletes, Entertainment Industry
2. Venus Mirbod, Psy.D. ("Dr. V")
Dr. V is a dedicated psychologist with a deep commitment to helping those she serves. She is skilled in a variety of therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based and trauma-informed therapies making her adept at helping clients manage stress, anxiety, and the emotional fallout of chronic illness.
Dr. V is committed to empowering youth facing chronic medical conditions, offering tailored support to help them navigate anxieties, trauma, and the challenges of adjusting to their medical diagnoses and treatments, fostering resilience and well-being.
Here's a bit more about Dr V’s professional background.
- Credentials: Licensed Clinical Psychologist California #34927
- Education: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, internship (residency) at Boston Children’s Hospital - Harvard Medical School, and postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF Zuckerburg San Francisco General Hospital
- Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed, Families Overcoming Under Stress (FOCUS), Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Focused, Mindfulness-Based
- Additional Specialties: Integrated Approaches, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Chronic Medical Condition / Medical Trauma, Expecting and New Mothers (Perinatal/Maternal Mental Health), Parenting Support, Pediatric Psychology, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Resilience Training, Communication Skills, Self-Esteem And Empowerment, Adjustment Problems, Stress Management And Relaxation Training
3. Shilloy Sanchiz-Lomeli, Ph.D., LMFT
Shilloy Sanchez Lomeli is a compassionate Clinical Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping families, couples, and individuals navigate life’s challenges. She specializes in supporting children and families dealing with chronic illness and medical trauma, providing care that fosters resilience, restores self-worth, and strengthens relationships.
Shilloy’s client-centered approach helps parents address early childhood and adolescent challenges, improve communication, and create healthier family dynamics. Her work is also informed by her doctoral research on the psychological effects of technology, guiding clients to manage digital stress and cultivate mindfulness. As a mother and grandmother, Shilloy combines personal insight with professional expertise to empower her clients to face life’s complexities with strength and adaptability.
- Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Education: Ph.D. in Depth Psychology, Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Conflict-Related and Other Trauma from Antioch University
- Modalities: Depth Psychology, Integrative Trauma Resourcing, Attachment Centered, Somatic Awareness, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Practices, HeartMath, Digital Wellbeing, Psychoeducation
- Additional Specialties: Family Dynamics, Parenting Support, Couples/Relationship Counseling, Anxiety & Depression, Trauma & Dissociation, Emotional Regulation & Resilience Building, Digital Health in Children, Adolescents & Young Adults
What to Expect From Our Medical Trauma & Chronic Illness Therapists
When you choose the Milika Center for Therapy and Resilience for support with chronic conditions, you are stepping into a caring environment designed to address both your physical and emotional needs. Our therapy sessions are structured to provide not just relief but also empowerment, using a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to each child and family’s unique situation.
Here’s what you can expect when you begin your therapy journey with us:
Ready to get started?
Ready to get started? Start your journey towards resilience and mental well-being today by contacting us to schedule a consultation.