When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, your life is turned upside down too. You reassure them, go with them to their appointments and keep daily life running. Meanwhile, your own worries often take a back seat. This can sometimes lead to compassion fatigue, or even caregiver burnout.
What caregivers often go through
- Invisible, constant pressure: feeling that you must stay strong no matter what.
- Fear of the unknown: anxiously waiting for results, the impact of treatment and uncertainty about the future.
- Overall exhaustion: built-up physical, mental and emotional overload, combined with a lack of time for yourself and neglect of your own needs.
- Waves of guilt: feeling impatience or anger at the unfairness of the situation, then blaming yourself deeply for having those thoughts.
- Shifting roles: going through profound changes that unsettle the balance of your relationship or reshape the whole family dynamic.
- Anticipatory grief: feeling the pain of watching the illness progress and living with the constant fear of losing your loved one.
How therapy can help
Give yourself a space of your own, a place of unconditional acceptance where you no longer have to carry the weight of protecting others. Together, we can:
- Put words to what you are going through and recognize your limits with kindness.
- Ease anxiety so you can get restful sleep and steadier energy back.
- Find a better balance between the support you give and the time you give yourself.
- Make communication easier with your loved one, your family and the care team.
- Work through difficult choices and support you, when the time comes, through grief.
Therapy draws on recognized approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, adapted to your situation and your values.
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury, it is the first step in helping someone else
When fatigue sets in, it becomes harder to support the people you love. Seeking help gives you a space to stay present and calm for the person you are caring for. Designed for busy schedules, our sessions take place online, simple as that.