Day after day, you give so much of your time and energy, and copious amounts of love, support, and encouragement. Stress begins to build up as other responsibilities and roles are put on the back burner. Your physical health is taking a toll. You are not sleeping well, you feel tired, your body aches.

You relationship with your loved one has changed. In addition to being a partner, parent, child, or friend to your loved one, you become their caretaker, which may feel uncomfortable at times. You often worry about saying the wrong thing to them. And life sometimes feels lonely.



You have no time for yourself. Activities that used to make you feel happy or energized are no longer a priority. You feel burned out and it impacts your life in more than one way. You feel depleted, and don't see a way out.



You are giving a lot of yourself and you feel overwhelmed, depressed, anxious. Yet you feel guilty asking for help. You feel like you have to stay strong and positive.

I have heard this time and again from family members and loved ones. You may feel that you do not deserve to feel tired, depressed or worried because you are not the one diagnosed with a chronic illness.



There is a lot of guilt that comes with asking for help. Yet, caring for a loved one through the physical and emotional challenge of their diagnosis is hard, whether you are a friend, a spouse, or even a medical provider. It is okay to ask for help! Let me repeat that again, it is okay to ask for help.



Caregiver burnout is not a sustainable lifestyle. Therapy can help you move from feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted, to feeling more confident in your ability to take care of yourself and others.



You deserve to receive help through the ups and downs of your loved ones diagnosis. As complex emotions surface, such as grief, worry, guilt, or sadness, you will feel supported and listened to. And when the health of your loved ones deteriorates or you have to prepare for the end-of-life, I will listen to you as you share your fears and your hopes, and the difficult decisions you have to make.

You will never have to pretend to be okay or "keep it all together" in session. Showing up as you are, on good days and bad days, is always enough.

Therapy offers a unique place to learn new tools that you can carry through life to set healthier boundaries and connect with experiences and people that are important to you in the there and now.



It is my hope that the exhaustion and helpless of being a caregiver can be lifted a little through therapy, as you make a commitment to feel better, for yourself and your loved ones.