Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Counselling & Therapy

Approximately 250,000 people in the UK have chronic fatigue syndrome. According to western medicine, there is no cure. At the same time, some people who have undertaken alternative medicine treatment, do claim full recovery (the author of this page being one such person). However, there is no “scientifically recognized” research to support such claims. Dealing with the uncertainty of whether you will ever feel better is one of the primary challenges for people dealing with CFS.

Another troubling aspect for many chronic fatigue sufferers is that, your level well-being can change at any time, with no predictability. Some days you may feel quite capable and engaged in day to day life, without any apparent symptoms, then other times, for no obvious reason, you can experience an extreme energy slump that means even coping with the smallest task, can feel like a huge effort.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can have an adversely effect on many areas of a person’s life, making the every day elements of daily life such as work, family and friends difficult to manage and negotiate.

While there may be no single “cure,” therapy can provide powerful support for those living with CFS. Through therapy, people often learn practical strategies to manage uncertainty, cope with fluctuating energy levels, and reduce the emotional burden of the condition. Having a safe, non-judgmental space to process frustration, grief, or isolation can also be deeply healing. Many individuals find that therapy not only helps them manage the challenges of CFS, but also opens the possibility of building resilience, rediscovering hope, and creating a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Cognitive behavioural therapy for CFS is the most commonly recommend therapy intervention provided on the NHS because it is evidence based, time limited and therefore cost effective for NHS budgets. It can help you identify thoughts and behaviours that make the condition more difficult to manage and make you more aware of the stressors that can make your symptoms worse. A CBT therapist can show you strategies that can enable you to cope better in managing the impact of this syndrome on your life. You may also learn relaxation techniques that can prove helpful when you are tired, uncomfortable or stressed.

Integrative Psychotherapy: Because CFS affects different people in many different ways, an integrative psychotherapy approach to CFS can combine several therapies, including CBT and tailor the therapy to a person’s unique needs and learning style. This approach can be more comprehensive and produce more lasting results than a course of CBT therapy alone, because it can also address any historic roots which often tend to significantly undermine people’s ability to cope and negotiate through the illness, in the best way possible.

Mindfulness Therapy: Mindfulness based cognitive therapy teaches people how to be present and not dwell on the past or obsess over the future. This approach helps people focus on what is happening right now as a means of reducing anxiety and stress, two problems that many CFS sufferers grapple with. It can also help with insomnia and symptoms of depression which can be experienced by people with chronic fatique syndrome.

Support Groups for CFS: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome support groups can provide sufferers with the opportunity to connect with others who are dealing with similar problems and reduce feelings of aloneness. Group members share helpful coping strategies as well as practical information on resources such as medical care or financial assistance.