Dr. Ingela Thuné-Boyle
Health Psychologist
Online Therapy

Who I Work With

I specialize in supporting adults living with diagnosed chronic and long-term medical conditions, including autoimmune disease, cancer, stroke recovery, heart disease, CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), long Covid, chronic lung disease, and other complex or multisystem illnesses. My work is tailored to the unique challenges faced by people navigating persistent, ongoing health conditions that affect multiple aspects of life.

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The Complex Impact of Chronic Illness

Chronic illness is rarely only a physical experience. It often reshapes identity, independence, career paths, relationships, and long-term expectations. Many of the individuals I work with are navigating persistent pain, fatigue, cognitive changes, reduced stamina, and fluctuating symptoms that disrupt daily routines and overall life structure. Others live with the long shadow of survivorship after major health events, carrying ongoing anxiety about recurrence, vulnerability, or permanent changes to their health and capabilities.

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Uncertainty and Invisible Burdens

These conditions frequently involve unpredictability. Symptoms may flare without warning, making planning and daily functioning difficult. Medical systems can feel overwhelming, and many people have experienced repeated dismissal, minimization, or delayed diagnosis. Others struggle with the invisible nature of their illness, particularly when outward appearance does not reflect the internal strain they are experiencing.

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Interaction Between Stress and Physical Health

Chronic stress can influence immune, inflammatory, and cardiovascular processes, particularly in autoimmune and systemic conditions. While chronic illness is not caused by mindset, prolonged physiological stress can increase symptom severity and overall disease burden. Many people living with long-term health conditions have spent years in survival mode - physically, emotionally, or both - which can amplify the psychological and social impact of illness.

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Emotional and Identity Consequences

The individuals I work with are often high-functioning, conscientious, and accustomed to pushing through difficulty. Living with chronic illness can force a confrontation with personal limits, which may feel unfamiliar, unwanted, or identity-shifting. Grief, anger, anxiety, isolation, and loss of meaning are common experiences, yet they are often under-recognized by healthcare systems, employers, and social networks.

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Why This Specialism Matters

​Working with people who live with chronic or long-term medical conditions means understanding that their health problems affect far more than just their body. Ongoing illness often impacts the nervous system, stress levels, past trauma, relationships, work, and even a person’s sense of identity. Effective support means fully understanding the illness itself, while also helping with the emotional and social challenges that come with it. Specializing in this area ensures that care is knowledgeable, compassionate, and grounded in the real, everyday experiences of people living with long-term health conditions.