SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Edited and reviewed:
June 10, 2026
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
Therapy | Assessments | Coaching
Reviewed by:
CHRONIC ILLNESS & TRAUMA
Chronic illness and medical trauma therapy in Tennessee
Trauma-informed therapy for adults with chronic illness and medical trauma in Tennessee, so appointments and hard days feel less heavy, by secure telehealth.
Dread or panic before appointments, scans, or results
IS THIS THERAPY RIGHT FOR YOU?
A good fit if any of this rings true
Trauma-focused therapy paired with health psychology for the medical side of life
Somatic, CBT, and ACT tools matched to your energy, sensory needs, and pacing
A therapist who coordinates with your medical team instead of saying just think positive
Licensed Providers
Telehealth Nationwide*
Neuro-affirming
Private & Secure
HOW THIS THERAPY WORKS
What chronic illness and medical trauma therapy involves
Living with chronic illness or a frightening medical experience asks a great deal of your nervous system — and it often keeps responding long after the appointment ends. Chronic illness and medical trauma therapy is a structured, trauma-informed way to understand those responses and to ease the anxiety, grief, hypervigilance, and exhaustion that medical life can leave behind.
Your clinician draws on trauma-focused therapy, health psychology, somatic awareness, CBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), adapting each to your energy, sensory needs, and real-life limits. The aim is not to think positive or push past your body, but to build practical tools, language, and steadiness so you can face symptoms, providers, and change with more support and less self-blame.
KEY STATISTICS ABOUT CHRONIC ILLNESS & TRAUMA
3 in 4
of American adults have at least one chronic condition
Source:
1 in 5
of ICU survivors develop PTSD symptoms after discharge
Source:
1 in 3
of adults with a chronic illness experience depression
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Simple to start, supportive at every step
1
Free 15-minute consult.
We learn what's weighing on you and answer your questions — no pressure, no commitment.
2
3
Together we turn insight into coping skills, nervous-system regulation, and steadier days.
You're paired with a trauma-informed clinician and begin at a pace your body can handle.
Get matched and start.
Build tools that last.
Payment options
As a specialty practice, we're out-of-network so we can offer the most effective, customized services.
Our payment options are transparent and flexible:
-
Self-Pay: All major credit cards; FAS/HSA eligible
-
Payment Plans: 6-months interest-free for approved clients via CareCredit
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Superbills Provided
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Out-of-Network: Up to 90% reimbursement for qualifying plans
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
Licensed, trauma-informed, clinically reviewed
Your therapy is provided by licensed Tennessee clinicians with specialized training in trauma and chronic-illness care, including work with neurodivergent and disabled adults. Care is clinically supervised and reviewed — you work with a specialist who understands medical trauma, not a generalist.
Dr. Kiesa Kelly (she/her)
Owner & Psychologist
Ryan Burns (he/him)
Practice Director
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE SCIENCEWORKS
Illness- and trauma-affirming, and evidence-based
Because we're independent and telehealth-only, your care is driven by what you actually need — not by rushed visits or insurance limits.
You're matched with a clinician who understands chronic illness, disability, and medical trauma — not a generalist learning as they go.
Care is illness- and neurodivergent-affirming and delivered by secure telehealth across Tennessee, so support reaches you on the hard days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Is therapy online, or do I need to come in person?
ScienceWorks provides chronic illness and medical trauma therapy entirely online by secure telehealth, for clients located in Tennessee during sessions. There's no in-person option — which means you can meet from home on flare days, without travel adding to the load.
Will you coordinate with my doctors or medical team?
Yes — with your written consent, we can collaborate with the providers involved in your care so your therapy and medical treatment work together. You stay in control of who we talk to and what is shared.
What does therapy cost, and will insurance help?
We review fees, scheduling, and any out-of-network reimbursement options before you commit, so there are no surprises. Many clients use FSA or HSA funds or monthly superbills; we'll walk you through what applies to your situation.
*Therapy and assessments available in the following states (coaching available worldwide):
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for mental health diagnosis or treatment. Reading this page does not create a therapist–client relationship with ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. S If you are in crisis or may be at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call/text 988 (U.S.). Additional emergency support can be found here: Emergency Resources.