In-person in L.A. and online across CA

Therapy for Caregivers and Helping Professionals

You have compassion for others but you have forgotten self-compassion. 

  • As Rosalyn Carter said, “There are only 4 kinds of people in the world.  Those who have been caregivers.  Those who are currently caregivers.  Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”  It’s an important job and you’re doing it.  Probably doing it well.  So well, in fact, that you have forgotten yourself in this mix.  

    Perhaps you’ve had to quit your job, take a leave of absence, or reduce your hours at work to care for a loved one.  Maybe you’re driving all over town and neighboring cities to transport them to their various medical appointments and therapies.  You’re likely trying to identify helpful resources and are discouraged to learn there aren’t many or they don’t qualify.  Insurance denied a claim again. The billing is wrong.  There’s a lot of time on the phone and even more on hold.  If you manage to get any services, you’re constantly in a battle to keep them as agencies are always looking to cut.

  • Maybe you appear successful on the outside, but on the inside you’re struggling.  You used to love your job.  You faintly recall the satisfaction in being a part of someone’s healing journey.  Maybe you’ve had too many patients who have not improved despite your best efforts.  Maybe you’ve experienced vicarious trauma from being constantly exposed to patient trauma.  Or perhaps your work and home life is lopsided.  

    Your training has taught you that burnout can happen.  But you can’t share that with others.  What would they think?  So you go through the motions and go home and crash.  There is no energy for you or anyone else in your life.  You are depleted.  

    You might find yourself snapping at every little thing, even feeling angry with the very people you are focusing all of your efforts on.  This is the by-product of an empty cup.  You got nothing left.

Still, you keep going.  Because you have to.

Whatever your situation, you may feel guilt or shame surrounding your feelings.  Each day is hard, but you continue to do it all, selflessly.  Selflessness is sometimes glorified, particularly in certain religions.  I’m here to tell you that there is no glory in denying your needs and in doing so, denying yourself.  

While perseverance and determination are admirable, continuing to deny your own needs for the sake of others often leads to resentment and eventual burnout.  At first, it may be hard to acknowledge your needs.  You’re a giver, after all.  When you make space to care for yourself, you’ll find that you have more energy to give to others and can reconnect with who you truly are.

You don’t have to face this alone.

This is too much for anyone to handle solo. It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it. They don’t get it–can’t get it. I am someone who can understand what you’re going through. 

I can provide a confidential safe space where you can share things that you didn’t think you’d ever admit to anyone, maybe not even yourself, and you will never be judged.  Giving yourself this time to acknowledge and express all of your feelings is the first step toward feeling better, regaining your energy, and being able to support your loved one or fully show up for your patients.

Having a therapist who deeply understands and acknowledges your experience can make all the difference in your healing process and overall well-being.

Therapy for caregivers and helping professionals can help you…

  • Prioritize your own needs and identify what fills your cup.

  • Find immediate relief through coping methods such as practicing mindfulness to focus on the present moment.  

  • Communicate your needs and set healthy boundaries. 

  • Stop glorifying selflessness and choose self-compassion and self-care by taking actionable steps.

  • Gain insight into your authentic self, who you are when you’re not in the helper role

  • Feel more overall life satisfaction

Invest in yourself

By choosing you, by choosing to take care of yourself, you are choosing to be a better caregiver as well.

invest in yourself

One who is less grumpy, less irritable, and more open to joy in the present moment. Are you ready to rediscover your vitality?

Questions?

Frequently asked questions about therapy for caregivers & helping professionals

  • I support caregivers who are caring for family members such as a disabled or ill child, adult, spouse, or parent in addition to those caregivers who have chosen a helper profession such as medical professionals, therapists, and other healers.

  • I am trained in both EMDR levels 1 and 2 and Internal Family Systems, but my main theoretical approach continues to be Person-Centered theory where the client is an expert in their own life and the therapist supports by offering “unconditional positive regard.”  Research tells us that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in positive change.  When clients are given unconditional acceptance with a therapist they can trust, they are able to initiate and sustain improvements in their lives.  In addition to using tools from the aforementioned trainings, I also incorporate interventions from mindfulness, CBT, DBT and Solution Focused Therapy.  I am committed to expanding my knowledge to better support my clients.

  • I know as a parent—especially if your child has complex medical needs—it can feel like there are always more important places to spend your time and money. But how you’re feeling and managing stress has a ripple effect on your whole family. Taking time for yourself really does matter. If it’s hard to justify the cost, try to remember this: your child deserves a parent who’s rested, calm, and fully present. And you deserve that too—for them and for yourself.  Group therapy may also be an option.