Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I am an experienced Occupational Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Neuro-Coach specializing in mental health, ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), long COVID, chronic pain, and concussion recovery. Using a compassionate, holistic, and evidence-based approach, I help clients navigate their healing journey with hope and clarity. Having personally healed from 10 years of Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and multiple concussions, I bring a unique perspective that blends clinical expertise with lived experience. This channel provides short educational videos and meditations to support you in reclaiming the life you love.
Let's get you from surviving to thriving!
Work with me:
Www.upliftvirtualtherapy.com
Links to courses, book, group hypnosis sessions and 1:1 bookings:
linktr.ee/Upliftvirtualtherapy?utm_source=linktree…
Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
We see it everywhere. Toxic positivity. People who tell you to not take supplements or medication. People who tell you it’s not “all in your head” and in the same breath only give you mental health solutions. Working with your mind is important, paramount even. But we cannot ignore proper pacing, diet, sleep, social support, medications and supplements. As long as we don’t constantly chase the silver bullet and incessantly try to find the medication that will work, then these things help. It’s about being holistic and balanced. Meeting the needs of your body and your mind. We want to have a symbiosis between the mind and the body, not a battle.
If you want access to free and affordable resources that cover this holistic mind body approach type “rewire” below
#mecfs #spoonie #chronicfatigue #longcovid #mindbody
1 day ago (edited) | [YT] | 16
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
Can you recover from MECFS chronic fatigue syndrome?
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 57
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
The holidays are not all cheer and joy for a lot of people. Sometimes it is a time where we feel the most lonely, the highest levels of grief.
I have put together an online group clinical hypnotherapy session for next Tuesday December 23rd where we can get together and experience some deep peace, community and relief. It’s only $15 to join ❤️
Comment “hypnosis” below for a link ❄️
#grief #loneliness #lonely #chronicpain #chronicillnesswarrior
3 months ago | [YT] | 6
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
My newest book is available now! Simple tools you can use each day for 30 days to support and regulate your nervous system.
type “regulate” below and I’ll send you a link! It’s also available in a print version on amazon ☺️
#regulate #nervoussystemtips #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemhealth #nervoussystemregulation
6 months ago | [YT] | 12
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
You are allowed to have joy in your grief. Every small moment of joy counts. What brings you small happiness?
#joy #grief #chronicillness #mentalhealth
6 months ago | [YT] | 20
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
Sometimes even our healing practices can turn into a kind of dissociation. If we’re using them to push feelings away instead of letting ourselves actually feel, we miss the point of healing.
Distraction does have a role. There are times when the body is too overwhelmed and it’s kinder to shift our focus for a while. A walk, a light show, or chatting with a friend can give the nervous system a chance to settle.
But if distraction is the only thing we reach for, emotions can get stuck. Somatic practices help with this. Slowing down, breathing, moving gently, or just noticing sensations gives the body a chance to process and release what it’s holding.
The difference is in the intention. Am I giving myself space to come back to this feeling, or am I trying to run from it? Both can be supportive.
#somatichealing #nervoussystemregulation #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #selfregulation #somatictherapy #embodiment #mindbodyconnection #healingjourney #emotionalwellness
6 months ago | [YT] | 9
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
Find those things that bring the smallest smile to your face. The friends that make you laugh. The videos that make you feel a little closer to humanity. The activities that light you up. It can be hard to feel our joy when we are deep in suffering but those micro-moments count! Build from there and before you know it, your life is sprinkled with so much more joy. The suffering might still be there, but so is the happiness.
#healing #mindbody #health #chronicillness #invisibleillness
6 months ago | [YT] | 18
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
Am I meditating right? Am I doing this exercise perfectly? Am I doing it enough times in a day and for long enough?
I get these questions all the time as a therapist and truthfully, trying to do it perfectly causes more stress and tension in your system.
Maybe we can gently invite the questions: does this feel nourishing? How can I soften a bit more? Where can I release trying a few percent and do a little less? What would it be like to notice what this tool is bringing up in my body rather than trying to control it?
#releasecontrol #surrender #acceptance #mindfulness #chroniccondition #spoonie #spoontheory #chronicfatigue #mecfs #healing #healingjourney #mentalhealth #mytherapy
6 months ago | [YT] | 14
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
Forcing energy is tense, it is a huge energy drain and it brings even more symptoms.
It is SO HARD to trust, accept and allow. But gently practicing this is what gets us through. Can you trust your nervous systems ability to relax even 1%? Can you let go of trying to push yourself even 5%? What would it be like to take a deep breath, put a hand on your heart and say “I trust my body can move through this moment of suffering” or give yourself compassion and acceptance “I know this is hard and I know it’s temporary”
What if it was an experiment and a curiosity rather than a pre determined set of exact things to “get better.” What if it’s constantly evolving and changing and your only task is to be with what is and meet yourself where you are at?
#spoonie #invisibleillness #chronicfatigue #chronicpain #chronicillness #acceptance
6 months ago | [YT] | 17
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Zara Dureno, MOT: Uplift Virtual Therapy
We literally suit up to do battle. We get in the ring. We fight tirelessly, violently. We throw all kinds of hate and vitriol at our bodies… blaming them, shaming them, cursing them.
But please hear me when I say this: your body is not the enemy.
Your body is a soft, tender, gentle creature that is scared. It needs compassion. It needs love and support. It needs genuine care.
Fighting yourself is abandoning yourself in moments of most need.
Your body knows how to heal. Your body WANTS to move toward more health, toward balance. But we have to give it a safe enough space to do so.
Be gentler today 🩷
#chronicillness #chronicfatigue #mecfs #spoonie #chronicpain
7 months ago | [YT] | 17
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