Therapy for Chronic Illness, Pain & Emotional Resilience
A space to navigate chronic illness, emotional strain, and the changes that come with it — with support that meets you where you are.
You're in the right place if…
You don't need the right words. You just need to recognize yourself here.
What you're carrying might look like this
Living with chronic illness or pain is its own kind of loss. The emotional weight of it deserves real support — not just coping tips.
Chronic Illness
"My diagnosis changed everything — including who I thought I was."
We work through the emotional reality of living with a chronic condition — the grief, the frustration, the identity shifts, and the daily work of adapting to a body that keeps changing the rules.
Chronic Pain
"The pain is constant. So is the emotional toll of it."
Chronic pain doesn't just affect your body — it affects your mood, your relationships, and your sense of self. We address the emotional layers that medical care often misses.
Grief & Loss of Self
"I'm grieving a life I thought I'd have."
The loss of normalcy, capability, or a future you planned for is real grief — even when no one names it that. We create space to mourn what's changed and build something new.
Emotional Overwhelm
"I feel anxious, angry, and exhausted — all at once."
The emotional weight of managing a health condition is relentless. We work on building real capacity to feel, process, and move through what chronic illness stirs up — without it swallowing you.
Disordered Eating
"My relationship with food and my body has become a source of pain."
Using compassion-focused and acceptance-based approaches, Sara supports clients working through disordered eating — with care that addresses the emotional and behavioral layers underneath.
The emotional side of chronic illness
Medical care treats the body. This work addresses what living in that body — day after day — actually does to a person.
The grief no one validates
Losing your health — or the future you planned — is a real loss. We create space to grieve it honestly, even when the people around you don't fully understand what you're mourning.
Identity after diagnosis
Chronic illness changes who you are — or who you thought you were. We work through the identity shifts that come with a body that no longer behaves the way you expected.
Relationship strain
Illness affects partners, families, and friendships. Sara helps you navigate the relational weight of chronic illness — including guilt, dependency, and the fear of being too much for others.
Finding meaning and agency
This work isn't about acceptance as resignation. It's about finding real ways to live fully — with purpose, connection, and self-compassion — inside a life you didn't choose.
Also works with children and families. Sara brings the same compassionate, chronic-illness-informed lens to younger clients navigating long-term health challenges — and the families supporting them.
What makes this different
Most therapy spaces weren't built with chronic illness in mind. This one is.
Chronic illness is the focus
Sara specializes in the emotional experience of living with long-term health conditions — not as a side note, but as the center of the work. You won't have to explain why it's hard.
Validating, not minimizing
The grief, anger, and exhaustion that come with chronic illness are real and often unacknowledged. Sessions create space to feel all of it — without being told to "stay positive."
Empowering, not just coping
The goal isn't just to manage the emotional burden — it's to help you build a relationship with your life and your body that feels genuinely livable, even within real limitations.
What to expect
Some sessions will feel like finally being understood. Others will feel quieter, steadier. Both are part of the work.
Validating and gentle
You won't be told to think positively or push through. What you're carrying is real — and this space treats it that way, without minimizing or rushing you.
Steady and consistent
When your body is unpredictable, you deserve a space that isn't. Sessions with Sara are calm, consistent, and adapted to where you actually are that day.
Collaborative and empowering
You're the expert on your own body and experience. Sara works alongside you — not prescribing how healing should look, but helping you build something that actually fits your life.
Focused on what's possible
This isn't about pretending things are fine. It's about finding real meaning, connection, and agency — even inside the limitations you didn't choose.
Serving Gwinnett & Virtual Across Georgia
Living with chronic illness or chronic pain means carrying an emotional weight that most people around you can't fully see. The fatigue, the grief of lost normalcy, the identity shifts, the fear of what's next — these are real psychological burdens that deserve real support, not just management strategies.
Sara works with children ages 4 and up, adolescents, and adults navigating chronic illness, chronic pain, grief, disordered eating, and the emotional toll of living in a body that requires constant adaptation. Her approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in helping clients build a life that feels genuinely livable.
She offers in-person therapy in Peachtree Corners, GA, and virtual sessions throughout the state of Georgia.
Meet your therapist
Sara Cook, APC, NCC
Psychotherapist · Kula Wellness Group
My goal is simple: that you feel heard, valued, and understood from the moment you walk in.
I pride myself in creating a warm, welcoming space that meets you on your best days, your worst days, and every day in between. You don't have to be okay to show up here. You just have to show up.
I value collaborating with and empowering my clients to achieve wholeness and wellness in their day-to-day life. In our work together, I use mindfulness, CBT, and DBT — not as rigid frameworks, but as practical tools you'll actually feel confident using outside of sessions.
My clients are most often working through chronic illness, grief, anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Whatever brings you in, my main focus is facilitating a space where you feel in control and safe — determining what paths of healing work best for you. My approach is person-centered and client-led, always.
I also hold my clients accountable — gently reminding them of what brought them here and what they're working toward. Healing takes courage. I'm here to walk alongside you as you do that work.
Clinical Supervision & Support
Sara Cook is an Associate Professional Counselor (APC) and works under the clinical supervision of Amber Amick, LPC, NCC, CPCS and Pegge Riley, LPC, CPCS, and under the direction of Mikayla Ruggieri, LCSW, Clinical Director. This collaborative structure ensures ongoing support, consultation, and high-quality care across the Kula Wellness Group team.
If you would like to get in touch with Amber Amick or Mikayla Ruggieri (supervisor/director), please contact them by clicking here. To reach Pegge Riley (supervisor), email Pegge@SageCenterAtlanta.com.
Common questions
No question is too small. Here's what people often want to know before reaching out.
How much are sessions with Sara?
Sara's rate is $135 for 50-minute sessions, and $220 for the first 80-minute intake appointment. All other session lengths are prorated based on this hourly rate. Fees effective January 1, 2026.
What age groups does Sara work with?
Sara works with children, adolescents, and adults ages 4 and up — including individuals living with chronic illness, disordered eating, grief, anxiety, and depression.
Do I need a diagnosis to work with Sara?
No. You don't need a formal diagnosis. If you're living with chronic physical symptoms, unexplained pain, or the emotional weight of a long-term health condition, this space is for you.
How do I know if Sara is the right fit?
If you're looking for a therapist who genuinely understands the emotional landscape of chronic illness — and won't tell you to just stay positive — Sara is likely a strong fit. A free consultation is the best way to find out.
Do you take insurance?
Kula Wellness Group is an out-of-network practice and does not work directly with insurance. We can provide a superbill for potential reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. Reimbursement depends on your individual plan, including your deductible and coverage. We also offer a limited number of reduced-fee and scholarship spots based on availability.
What is a superbill and how does it work?
A superbill is a detailed receipt for therapy services that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. It includes session dates, fees, and a diagnosis — which insurance companies require to process claims. Because a diagnosis is required, we typically complete 4–8 sessions before issuing the first superbill to ensure clinical accuracy. After that, superbills are provided monthly. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your specific plan.
Do you offer reduced-fee or scholarship options?
Yes. Each therapist offers a limited number of reduced-fee or scholarship spots each quarter. Availability is limited and may vary. You can learn more and apply at kulawellnessgroup.com/scholarship-program.
What is the difference between in-person and virtual therapy?
The experience can feel slightly different, but the work is the same. Some people feel more grounded in a shared physical space, while others feel more at ease opening up from home. Both formats support meaningful, effective therapy — we'll help you find what works best for you.
What should I expect in the first session?
Your first session is an extended intake designed to help you feel comfortable and begin building a connection with your therapist. You'll review informed consent together, have time to ask questions, and your therapist will begin getting to know you — your history, current concerns, and goals. There's no pressure to share everything right away. Early sessions are focused on building trust, safety, and a foundation where you feel comfortable being open and honest.
How do I get started?
You can start by reaching out through our contact form or booking a free consultation. From there, we'll help guide you toward the right therapist based on your needs, preferences, and availability. If you already know who you'd like to work with, you can request them directly.
Take the first step
You don't have to carry this alone.
Your experience deserves real support. Reaching out is the first step — and you've already taken it.
Book a Free Consultation