Caregiving & Ambiguous Loss
These articles explore the complexities of caring for, and losing, loved ones in ways that aren’t easily seen or interpreted from the outside, and how therapists can help.
They follow partners and adult children as they care for family members with dementia, navigating the accompanying family conflicts and shifting identities. They also examine miscarriage, infertility, and the quiet grief of unrealized hope. Get clinical guidance on helping clients name and honor their losses, set realistic limits, and move forward after caregiving ends.
What is certain is that, at some point, caregiver duties will come to an end. The impact of that moment catches many caregivers off-guard, and the flood of... Read more
Many spousal dementia caregivers struggle emotionally watching their life partners slowly decline. But I also knew that male caregivers, especially spouses... Read more
A daughter’s resentment gives way to a lesson in unconditional love. Read more
We still don’t have a clear and reliable road map for navigating the unique grief that comes with losing a wanted pregnancy. Read more
The bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone shares her experience using a sperm donor to have a child, and how she helps clients with... Read more
Nearly all therapists will soon be working with substantial numbers of aging families, whether or not they ever consciously choose to. The question at hand... Read more
How to help beleaguered caretakers of elderly parents find meaning and purpose in a challenging task. Read more
A parent's failing health can stir up a hornet's nest of trouble among adult siblings. Read more
Without the emphasis at the outset on identifying, honoring, and sustaining the caregiver's mission, you're unlikely to ever progress. Read more
"Many of my older clients and their family caregivers resist accepting help from others. How can I get them to receive the care they need?" Read more
When families become stressed by a member's long-term care needs, it's easy to continue the usual relationship patterns and perpetuate long-standing... Read more
Those who care for ailing family members often are undertaking a marathon, not a sprint. Read more
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