{"id":108373,"date":"2019-10-02T10:48:01","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T15:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/?p=108373"},"modified":"2019-10-22T11:21:57","modified_gmt":"2019-10-22T16:21:57","slug":"from-private-practice-to-advocate-for-the-chronically-ill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/for-our-wellness\/from-private-practice-to-advocate-for-the-chronically-ill\/","title":{"rendered":"From Private Practice to Advocate for the Chronically Ill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overcoming a rare, life-threatening illness inspired Dr. N. Karen Thames to leave a lucrative private practice to build her own non-profit foundation.\u00a0<\/span>The Chicago Campus Clinical Psychology<\/a> graduate started\u00a0<\/span>The EPIC Foundation<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people living with invisible chronic illnesses, and supporting their family members and caregivers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Dr. N. Karen Thames.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe EPIC Foundation stands for Empowering People<\/span>\u00a0with Invisible Chronic Illness.\u00a0<\/span>Several years ago, I began having symptoms that could not be explained<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0including\u00a0<\/span>rapid weight gain<\/span>, memory loss, and the sudden onset of diabetes<\/span>\u00a0and hypertension<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d explained Dr. Thames. \u201cI fought so hard to get an explanation about what was wrong \u2013 to no avail.\u00a0<\/span>I eventually became completely bedridden.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>After being increasingly ill for almost five years, I discovered that I had Cushing\u2019s Disease after watching an episode of Mystery Diagnosis. Having tre<\/span>a<\/span>ted clients who were impacted from living with chronic illness\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I understand from both ends how valuable and critical it is to have support and feel like your voice is heard.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Dr. Thames recovering in hospital.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The EPIC Foundation<\/span>\u00a0is a non-profit organization that provides support, advocacy, and tools to those affected by chronic illness. The foundation uniquely embraces the mind, body and spirit, by\u00a0<\/span>focusing on key human issues such as trauma and loss. These are the vital issues that are commonly ignored while treating chronic illnesses. <\/span><\/p>\n

In her battle against Cushing\u2019s disease, Dr. Thames has undergone brain surgery and removal of her adrenal glands. As a result, she now lives with several other chronic illnesses including adrenal insufficiency, diabetes, POTS, growth hormone deficiency, and hyperthyroidism. She\u00a0<\/span>takes\u00a0<\/span>over 20 medications daily, and maintain<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0a strict treatment regimen to increase quality of life, and avoid fatal medical complications.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She doesn\u2019t let any of this\u00a0<\/span>stop her, however.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cVisualization is so powerful! I have a huge vision board that spans across the wall next to my bed. I look at the words on my vision board such as walk, run, perfect health, miracles. Even on the days when I can\u2019t get out of bed, I roll over and look at my vision board. This motivates me every single day. It\u2019s also important for me to leave a legacy for my daughters.\u00a0<\/span>I want them to understand the value of never giving up no matter what!\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
The EPIC Foundation team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a licensed psychologist\u00a0<\/span>with expertise\u00a0<\/span>in trauma and ma<\/span>rriage therapy, Dr. Thames provides<\/span>\u00a0a unique\u00a0<\/span>ability and\u00a0<\/span>perspective in helping those living with chronic illness. Being<\/span>\u00a0what she refers to as<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>a chronic illness warrior herself,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0and having treated patients going through similar experiences,\u00a0<\/span>she knows first-hand how traumatic such experiences can be for patients, and their families\/caregivers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Dr. Thames and her husband at her TCSPP commencement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As she explains,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI understand that the journey of living with chronic illnesses can be quite traumatic. It may involve experiences including, but not limited to, seeking answers with no help, perhaps feeling failed by medical doctors, living with ups and downs, etc. As a psychologist, I am able to dedicate my training to empowering chronic illness warriors everywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Thames<\/span>\u00a0encourages mental health professionals to\u00a0<\/span>help<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>bridge the gap between the mental health professional and patient communit<\/span>ies<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To get inv<\/span>olved, please contact<\/span>\u00a0Dr. Thames via<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>email<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>or through the\u00a0<\/span>EPIC website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

Learn more about The Chicago School of Professional Psychology\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you would like to learn more about our academic programs, fill out the form below to request more information or you can apply today through our application portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Overcoming a rare, life-threatening illness inspired TCSPP alum Dr. N. Karen Thames to leave a lucrative private practice to build her own non-profit foundation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":108470,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[704],"tags":[811,223,1093,475],"coauthors":[1057],"class_list":["post-108373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-our-wellness","tag-for-our-wellness","tag-mental-health","tag-overcoming-adversity","tag-the-chicago-school-of-professional-psychology","insight_issues-mental-health","insight_issues-the-chicago-school-of-professional-psychology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFrom Private Practice to Advocate for the Chronically Ill - Insight Digital Magazine Overcoming a rare, life-threatening illness inspired Dr. N. 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