When a member of the family is diagnosed with an illness or disability the entire family is impacted.  Parents and children can go through waves of emotion.  Children can feel confused and scared.  Inevitably parents feel overwhelmed.  When parent struggle, everyone suffers. Typical family struggles can become more complex.  Having specialized support for the family can be critical.

For nearly a decade I have supported families impacted by illness and disability in hospitals, homes, and community agencies.  Witnessed both small triumphs and terrifying losses, sat in the middle of the chaos. I can help your family find strength in your struggle, help you feel less alone, find balance in your new normal. When a family is emotionally balanced they can be an enormous source of strength for their loved one coping with illness. 

Parents

Parent Support

• Practical tools to alleviate the constant worry
• Methods to find balance when feeling overwhelmed 
• Reinforcement during critical times: diagnosis, discharge, & big transitions
• Advocacy when navigating the healthcare and educational systems
• Strategies for increasing treatment adherence

When Mom or Dad Gets Sick

• Effective ways to talk with your children about your illness
• Techniques for coping and adapting to life’s changes
• Caring for yourself while you care for your spouse  
  
  

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Children & Adolescents

Children Living with Illness or Disability

• Help dealing with disappointment when illness gets in the way 
• What to do when you feel angry at your illness; what to do when you feel scared, lonely, helpless
• Dealing with moments when others can’t see your illness but you know it’s there
• Tools for coping with uncomfortable treatments
• What to say when your illness makes it awkward

Well Siblings

• Support when no one understands what it’s like to be you  
• Strategies for managing big feelings: fear, anger, guilt, & loneliness 
• How to deal with the pressure to always be ok and wanting your turn not to be ok