Caring for the Caregiver
Often, family members are the primary caregivers for ill and/or aging
relatives. Likewise, many professionals dedicate a large portion of
their time to caring for their patients and clients. Although many would
prefer to have it no other way, the stress involved in such an
unselfish, often long-term commitment can become staggering. Some common
difficulties experienced by caregivers are:
 | Feeling overwhelmed |
| Depression |
| Physical and emotional exhaustion |
| Increased frequency of illnesses |
| Resentment |
Caring for oneself is an essential element in one’s ability to
provide continued care for someone else. All of the above issues can be
addressed in therapy. Below are some additional benefits of counseling
for caregivers:
| Finding and increasing the strength to continue on |
| Learning new ways to care for oneself |
| Understanding and working through negative feelings toward
caregiving and the person receiving care |
| Allowing oneself to ask for and accept help and support |
Dione works successfully with individuals in caregiver roles and has
found the therapeutic relationships she develops with her clients to be
an integral part of caring for the caregiver. Her medical background
compliments her counseling experiences nicely, allowing for a genuine
understanding of the caregiver’s perspective.
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