I'm sure any good therapist would be of value, but I'd really love the support and wisdom of someone with experience and/or interest in helping caregivers specifically. Other than Google, have you found any resources to connect caregivers with this kind of targeted counseling?
You can contact your nearest teaching hospital and talk to someone in their geriatric department. They almost certainly have a social worker who specializes.
You can call local hospices. Their social worker may do private practice or may be able to refer you to folks who do.
Best of luck!
And although my husband has been dead for well over 2 years now, because this group was such a life saver for me, I continue to go to now be of help to others.
NO ONE can understand what a caregiver goes through better than another caregiver, and while there's a place and a time for a therapist or a counselor, unless they themselves have been a caregiver they can only help but so much.
I wish you the best in finding a local caregivers support.
Dr. Natali offers YouTube videos and also on Careblazers.com
Basically she is a psychologist (geriatrician) who worked in the hospital sector and was not impressed with the protocol for the small amount of time that was spent with the patient and/or family.
I alternate, scan, between this forum and the "short" videos that Dr. Natali provides keeping us updated. At the present moment she is offering a free "caregiving" online video, you can go online and sign up and watch--it is time-sensitive I think 4 days.
Occupational Therapist Teepa Snow wrote a Caregiver's Guide with the stages of all kinds of Dementia. She, too, offers YouTube videos. She is fabulous.
Most of us don't have the time to Zoom in and participate at a designated time but with the technology you can find what you need at your fingertips. Now if you are seeking "in-person" support oftentimes Assisted Livings offer Caregivers Support groups. Usually they are sponsored by an Elder Attorney. Again, with the Post-Pandemic, Co-vid still lingering and the regular flu season, me personally, I will stay away because I don't want to get sick and make mother ill.
If all else fails, join a local Y, throw your suit on and get some exercise. You can build a network of support.
Happy New Year!
Ireland
there are many that meet in person as well as on line (kinda like this one)
Finding a good Support Group is sort of like a good pair of shoes. You have to try it first and see how it feels. If you don't "click" after the first few meetings look for another.
Try your local Senior Center or Senior Services they have many clients and families of clients that they deal with daily. They might know of Therapists that specifically know what Caregiving is like. May Senior Centers also have Social Workers that might point you in the right direction if you are looking for 1 on 1 therapy rather than a Support Group.
They will be able to send you a list of support groups in your area. They are an amazing resource and we're a huge help for me.
Another good possibility for a therapist would be a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner who specializes in mental health.
( primary caregiver) with a family member
or
2. If you are a paid caregiver employed in the work place as a caregiver serving in some professional capacity. ( Nurse, or certified nurse assistant for example).
All of the above are subject to potential " burnout" or " caregiver exhaustion".
If you are a paid professional caregiver in the workplace, you should definitely seek support via your employer resources.
If you are an " unpaid" family member caring for a loved one in the home or even accountable for them in a facility, you may find help beginning with the support that a faith leader/ community of your choice may provide . Or reach out to a facility or hospital chaplain for support. You may also reach out to a social services professional such as a licensed social worker for the support you need. These are some beginning steps to take.
You should also be seeing your own PCP ( Primary Care Physician) for assessment of your own physical and emotional health. Your PCP may also be able to refer you to other caregiver support systems.
You do not mention what the caregiving situation is ( caring for one or more family in home, or responsibility for one or more placed in a facility. Be sure that you are accessing all potential support for the caregiving needs to help you either in the home or if loved ones are in facility. Sometimes having the patient 's " level of care needs" further assessed may offer additional support suggestions for the patient and therefore will help you. A lot depends on your specific needs. Either way these are some steps you can begin with to get the support you and all " caregivers" need and deserve.
Good luck, GB.
I wish you luck in getting the support that you need.