Why do I specialize in working with caregivers?

I have been there myself as both a caregiver and someone who needed caregiving. I understand from experience how difficult it can be, and how much caregivers self-sacrifice to provide support for their loved one. It is often a labor of love, but it definitely has it’s toll and can wear you out!

I know how often you put your loved ones needs first and let your basic needs fall to the way-side. I understand the emotional toll of trying to “be strong” for them, and the grief that comes with your loved one not being the person they once were. As a person who needed caregiving, I saw first-hand the sacrifice and struggle it takes! Caregivers are often put in a position to constantly put their own dreams and desires on the backburner; your daily life doesn’t come close to what you actually want it to be! You may be wondering “When will it end?” or “How much more can I take?”

Having a therapist who “gets it” can make a big difference. I want to be the type of support I could have used when I was a caregiver, and to pay it forward for the gratitude I have for the person who was my caregiver. It is their love and sacrifice that has allowed me to be where I am today! So now I’m here for you!

How can I help you?

We will talk about how caregiving is impacting your life, and develop a plan for treatment that is individualized for you. Maybe you just need some time to focus on you and you just don’t have the energy or brain-space to figure out how to do that! Maybe you need a safe, non-judgmental space to process how caregiving is impacting your life (your relationships, job, mood, daily functioning, etc.). Maybe you need support for the significant stress you are under, and need someone who understands how to use neuroscience to support the brain and nervous system to reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Whatever you are needing, I will listen to you, and we will work together to incorporate treatments that will be supportive for your situation and goals. And if there’s something you are needing support with that I do not offer, I can pull from my referral sources to connect you with other professionals or services.

How long will you need therapy?

Boy, oh boy, can I empathize with this question! When I’ve needed therapy, I wanted to feel better yesterday!

What I can tell you is that I make it my mission to get you feeling better as quickly as possible because I understand what it’s like to just want to feel like yourself again! Unlike what movies sometimes portray, therapy is not meant to be lifelong! From the very start, we will talk about your goals and how we will know when you are ready to graduate from therapy. We will periodically check in on progress and shift our focus as needed to get you to where you want to be as quickly as possible. It’s my job for you to not need me anymore!

The length of therapy depends on multiple factors including the extent of your caregiving role, pre-existing mental health concerns, your support system, existing coping skills, other stress or trauma in your life, your readiness for therapy, the connection between you and your therapist, and the types of treatments used. I offer a free consultation with every new client to make sure it feels like a good fit. And I am continually expanding my education and training to help you reach your goals faster and have more sustainable results.

Do you really need therapy?

Maybe, maybe not. Sometimes, people have all the support and skills they need in their life to manage the onslaught of stressors and emotional impacts that caregiving can have on our lives. If that’s you, I know this is still a difficult time, but you’ve got this! And if you find yourself needing more support down the road, I’m here for you! But if you are already here on my website, my guess is that you are looking for some relief and additional support right now. I’m here to help!

If you’re not sure, I’d encourage you to schedule a free consultation and we can talk through your situation one-on-one to decide if therapy would be appropriate for you at this time. If therapy would be supportive, I’d be honored to be on your team!