Living with a chronic illness isn’t just about medical care—it’s about daily management, not a cure.
In this Voices of Compassion episode, we talk about the mental health and social impact of chronic illness with CHC experts Tracy Cavaligos, PhD, licensed psychologist and Caroline Gillenson, MS, Clinical Psychology Doctoral intern.
Episode overview
Join us as we explore the deep connection between chronic illness and mental health, from the emotional toll of ongoing symptoms to the impact on friendships, social life, and academics.
How do young people navigate these challenges while maintaining their well-being? Join us as we discuss strategies for coping, building support systems, and fostering resilience in the face of chronic health conditions.
How to Listen and Subscribe
All Voices of Compassion podcast episodes are available on-demand to stream or download. Listen to Living with Chronic Illness at podcasts.chconline.org. You can also subscribe to Voices of Compassion on Apple podcasts, Spotify and other podcast apps.
About Voices of Compassion
Voices of Compassion is a weekly podcast produced by Children’s Health Council (CHC) with insights, inspiration and creative conversations about mental health, education and family.
Meet The CHC Expert
Tracy Cavaligos, PsyD , Dr. Tracy Cavaligos, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist dedicated to supporting the mental health of children, adolescents, young adults, and families. She specializes in anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, chronic illness, gender diversity, and identity development. With a holistic and compassionate approach, she also provides psychological assessments for attention and learning concerns. Dr. Cavaligos earned her PsyD from Pacific University and completed her fellowship at Children's Hospital of Orange County. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, yoga, and spending time with her puppy.
Meet The CHC Expert
Caroline Gillenson, MS , Caroline Gillenson is a child and adolescent psychology predoctoral intern at Stanford Children’s Hospital/Children’s Health Council. Caroline has been trained in evidence-based assessments and treatments for children and adolescents with a range of psychological and comorbid physical health conditions. Caroline uses a combination of therapy approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to best meet the needs of her clients and families.
