Support for Caregivers

For Santa Clara County residents ONLY

The day that a child receives their diagnosis changes the lives of parents. From the first day that a parent receives this news, they begin a unique and ongoing grief process. The initial shock is very noticeable but over time, the emotions tied to caregiving are often pushed aside as greater concerns for your child fill your time and energy. Carrying the unacknowledged grief along with the new and unexpected stress of managing time, finances, emotions, and decision-making has a significant effect on parents who are involved with care and decisions.

When we find better ways to identify these unique emotions, we gift ourselves with better tools to grieve well, manage time and expectations, engage in self-care, and share the load of the journey. When we take care of these emotions, we create a path to reduce overwhelm and avoid the second-guessing and isolation that lead to caregiver stress-related fatigue and distress.

Session 8: Primary Caregiver Emotions: Despair and Loss

• Sudden waves of pain, fear and overwhelm that broadside you
• That feeling that hits you when you need to rest and won’t stop spinning
• That feeling that you have hit the wall
• That feeling that hijacks the rare quiet moment

This workshop is facilitated by Laura Beth DeHority, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Made possible by funding from El Camino Health and the County Of Santa Clara.

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