Counselling and Support for Caregivers and Care Partners

Being a caregiver or care partner is one of life's most meaningful yet challenging roles. Whether you're caring for an aging parent, a spouse with a chronic illness, a child with special needs, or a loved one with mental health challenges, the physical and emotional demands can be overwhelming. You deserve support and understanding as you navigate this difficult journey while maintaining your own wellbeing.

Caregiving situations we support:

Aging Parent Care - Managing the transition as parents need increasing support with daily activities, medical care, or memory issues

Spousal/Partner Caregiving - Supporting a life partner through chronic illness, disability, or recovery from medical procedures

Child with Special Needs - Caring for children with developmental disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or mental health challenges

Dementia and Alzheimer's Care - The unique challenges of caring for someone with memory loss and cognitive decline

Mental Health Caregiving - Supporting a family member with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions

Cancer Caregiving - Supporting a loved one through cancer treatment, recovery, or end-of-life care

Disability Support - Caring for family members with physical disabilities, brain injuries, or chronic conditions

Long-Distance Caregiving - Managing care coordination and emotional support when you can't be physically present

Caregiver challenges we help with:

• Feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands and responsibilities
• Guilt about not doing enough or wanting time for yourself
• Grief over the loss of your previous relationship with your loved one
• Anger or resentment about the caregiving situation
• Decision-making stress about care options and medical choices
• Financial stress related to caregiving costs and lost income
• Isolation from friends and social activities due to caregiving demands
• Physical exhaustion and health problems from caregiver stress

Personal struggles we address:

• Depression or anxiety related to caregiving stress
• Loss of personal identity beyond being a caregiver
• Relationship strain with other family members about care decisions
• Difficulty setting boundaries or asking for help
• Fear about the future and what will happen to your loved one
• Anticipatory grief when caring for someone with a terminal condition
• Trauma from witnessing your loved one's suffering or medical crises
• Difficulty making the transition when caregiving ends

Our approach to caregiver support:

Caregiving affects every aspect of your life, and you need support that addresses both the practical and emotional challenges. Our approach may include:

Caregiver Stress Management - Learning techniques to manage the physical and emotional toll of caregiving

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Addressing guilt, worry, and perfectionist thinking that increases caregiver burden

Emotion Focused Therapy - Processing the complex emotions that come with watching a loved one struggle

EMDR Therapy - Addressing trauma from medical crises, difficult diagnoses, or witnessing your loved one's suffering

Grief Counselling - Working through anticipatory grief and the many losses that come with caregiving

Boundary Setting - Learning to balance caregiving responsibilities with your own needs and other relationships

Decision-Making Support - Navigating difficult choices about care options, living situations, or end-of-life decisions

Family Communication - Improving discussions with other family members about care responsibilities and decisions

What you can expect:

Caregiver counselling provides a safe space to express feelings you may not feel comfortable sharing with family or friends. We understand that caregiving involves love, duty, frustration, and grief all mixed together, and there's no judgment about the complex emotions you're experiencing.

Many caregivers find that having professional support helps them provide better care for their loved one while protecting their own mental health. We'll work together to develop strategies that help you sustain your caregiving role without losing yourself in the process.

We understand that caregiving schedules are unpredictable and that your loved one's needs may change rapidly. We can be flexible with scheduling and provide support during crisis periods when you need it most.

Sessions are available in-person at our Calgary office or online throughout Alberta, Nunavut, and Quebec. Online sessions can be particularly helpful when it's difficult to leave your loved one or when you need support outside regular business hours.

Support for care transitions: We also provide support during transitions such as moving a loved one to assisted living, hospice care, or when caregiving responsibilities end due to death or other circumstances.

Caregiving is an act of love, but it shouldn't come at the expense of your own wellbeing. You deserve support, understanding, and practical strategies to help you care for your loved one while also caring for yourself.