Counseling Services
Support for Older Adults
Getting older brings with it an abundance of new physical, emotional and mental challenges.
Later life can be a fulfilling time of rest, relaxation and retirement, and a time to enjoy life with one’s spouse, children and grandchildren.
However, many of the changes we face as we grow older—such as retirement, the death of friends and loved ones, increased isolation, loneliness or health problems—can lead to depression and anxiety.
The unexpected nature of the aging process often makes people feel nervous and scared. Sometimes roles change within a family, as parents begin to need assistance and adult children take on the role of caregivers. Loss of independence, or the fear of losing control, can also trigger feelings of anxiety or even anger.
How can supportive counseling help?
Getting the support you need plays a big role in lifting the fog of depression, anxiety or grief and keeping it away. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain perspective and sustain the effort required to overcome these feelings.
Working with a licensed counselor can help you to evaluate your situation. A counselor is someone you can talk to regularly, face-to-face, who will listen to you without a pre-existing agenda for how you should think or feel. A counselor will listen to the feelings behind your words, and won’t interrupt or judge or criticize you.
I believe in providing a warm, supportive and thought-provoking environment where you can feel safe to explore your feelings and concerns. As a counselor, my approach is collaborative - we work together to identify and address whatever issues are most important to you.
Support for Caregivers
Caring for an older adult or dependent family member can be very stressful and challenging.
The emotional experiences involved with providing care can strain even the most capable person. The resulting feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness, isolation, exhaustion—and then guilt for having these feelings—can exact a heavy toll.
In a Caring.com survey of over 1000 family caregivers, 69% said that caring for a loved one is the number-one source of stress, and more than a quarter said their relationships had been negatively impacted by providing care.
However, family caregivers believe in what they're doing, and want to provide the best care possible. 75 percent say their caregiver role is a source of pride because they're making a difference for their loved one.
Why supportive counseling?
Your siblings or family members might be too close to the situation to be supportive or helpful. Your friends have busy lives, you don’t want to burden them.
With my knowledge and expertise in elder care, I can help you evaluate your situation. Remember, it is not selfish to focus on your own needs and desires when you are a family caregiver. In fact, it is important that you take initiative with your own physical and emotional care, or else it could make you less useful to the person for whom you are caring.
Clinical Supervision
I am available to provide weekly clinical supervision for MSW's working toward their LCSW. I enjoy the supervision and teaching process in helping social workers advance their skills and careers.
Telehealth or In Person Meetings
Video or phone sessions make counseling easy and accessible from the comfort of your home. In person appointments are available on a limited basis in East County San Diego.
San Diego Resources
Alzheimer's San Diego: https://www.alzsd.org/
Southern Caregiver's Resource Center:
http://caregivercenter.org
San Diego Eldercare Directory:
