Therapy for Dementia Caregivers
You love your loved one, but you’re exhausted.
It’s the third time your mom has called…in the last two hours. She’s confused and frustrated and forgot that you just talked 25 minutes ago about why her stove top doesn’t work. You try not to lose your shit, but you end up raising your voice as you tell her to just use the microwave and abruptly hang up so you can get back to your work meeting but you’re distracted and irritated and overwhelmed.
Or, you’re sitting with a pile of paperwork, sifting through POA forms, flyers from assisted living facilities, bills from neurology and the wrapper from a protein bar (your usual lunch these days).
Or, maybe you’re sitting with your dad, he’s pretty quiet these days but he seems to be enjoying watching your children play. You’ve been through those scenarios above, years ago, and these days it’s the ache of losing him, even though he isn’t gone yet.
You deserve a space to say how it really is. I care for you, caregiver, so that you can remember how to care for you, too.
Your schedule is already full with work, appointments for your loved one, appointments for you kids, more work that you didn’t finish earlier, that dinner with your spouse’s buddies, and the occasional friend date your best girlfriend forces you to schedule because she knows how hard it is for you to make time for yourself.
I know your life is full to the max, and it might feel impossible to schedule another hour, especially for care dedicated to just you. But I’m pretty sure you have an inkling that you really need some time to focus on yourself (otherwise you might just lose it for real next time your mom calls). This is why I offer therapy services virtually. One less trip in the car, no need to find another caregiver to take over, making it easier to put you first, even for just an hour each week.
The cost for individual therapy is $300 per 50-minute session.
I’m here for you, caregiver.
I’m here to remind you that you’re doing an awesome job taking care of your loved one, even though it feels impossible to keep it all together. I’m here to remind you of what makes you feel like you, even when you haven’t had a single second to take that walk in nature, or call the friend who makes you laugh so hard you pee your pants a little. I’m here so that you get a moment of reprieve from feeling alone in the chaos of dementia. I’m here to hold the container for your grief. I’m here to help you stay connected to what is most important, moment to moment. I’m here to help you learn how to respond when sundowning or wandering or aggression or some other new, challenging action from your loved one comes up out of nowhere. I’m here to laugh with you, sometimes at the sweet, humorous gestures of your loved one, sometimes at the absurdity of the disease, in a laugh-to-keep-from-crying way.
I’m here for you.
I’m Dr. Grace Peterson, older adulthood enthusiast, teacher, earnest optimist (with a clear sense that some shit in life and in caregiving just is really hard), big fan of coffee and rainbow sprinkle donuts, future older adult.
Formally, I’m a licensed psychologist (CA License PSY 34164), with specialized training in working with older adults and caregivers. I offer individual therapy to folks living in California.
