Tips to Find Counseling
Emotional Support
Seeking Professional Counseling
When should you seek professional counseling?
There are times when a book, support group, or a 10-week course are not enough to help you solve problems on your caregiving journey. Professional counseling may be what a caregiver needs to overcome a specific problem. Counseling provides personalized support on a one-to-one basis. It may help to speak to an experienced and qualified counselor who can help you cope with your emotions, but also provide concrete advice to get through a circumstance you are facing in caregiving.
Examples of times a counselor may be helpful:
- Acceptance of the diagnosis of dementia and how it might change your life and the life of the person you are caring for.
- How to navigate and communicate better with the person you are caring for and asking for help from other family members and friends.
- When the caregiving journey becomes physically, emotionally or financially draining and you need guidance to get through it.
- When you need to make a difficult decision around who will provide care, when you are no longer able to, or to make a decision about residential care.
- When grief or family conflict is overwhelming to the point you are unable to function as you normally would in your day-to-day activities.
Hear from Dr. Pauline Boss from Finding Meaning and Hope Discussion Series as she shares when it is time when we need more help and support.
Find Support
Please be sure to do your due diligence, research, and ask questions when contacting any of the resources. An organization or business listed as a resource is not an endorsement from Meaning & Hope Institute or guarantee of the product or service.
Look for Professional Counseling
Join a Duet Support Group
Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
You can also find support through many other individuals and organizations. The link above connects to counselors in the American Psychological Association, but counselors also include psychiatrists, social workers, mental health therapists and many other qualified professionals. These professionals can be found in local hospitals, mental health clinics, and aging service organizations. Learn more about the types of services and organizations you may need in Aging and Dementia Services.
You are not alone.
There’s no such thing as a perfect caregiver.
You’re doing the best you can, and that’s what truly matters.
Reach out for help when you need it, and give yourself permission to recharge.
The information on this page was developed by Nicole Batsch, Ph.D. and is for educational purposes.
For individualized medical guidance, consult your physician.