Reducing Anxiety and Depression
due to Uncertainty

"We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. But we should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but ... I’ll be a hummingbird, I’ll do the best I can."

Are you having trouble coping with unpredictable changes of the child’s medical condition or complex need and feeling stressed by a lack of control over the medical complications? Are you feeling “burnt out” by constant care demands?

Do you struggle with sadness and strong negative thoughts about the future when symptoms increase or rehospitalization occurs?

Does your anxiety about the medical condition or complex need make you overprotective and focused on staying away from activities that may introduce illness or potential medical setbacks? Or are you more focused on experiencing only positive things because the medical condition is hard enough to manage?

Are you having trouble taking care of your own mental and physical health or your relationship with others while managing the chronic illness or complex need?

Therapy can help…

encourage recognition and communication of feelings that may have been too scary to focus on or share with others

develop greater understanding of helpful and unhelpful coping processes for managing medical conditions, complex needs and related difficulties

set the stage for creating as normal a life as possible for all family members, within constraints of the medical condition or complex need

provide support and permission to invest in self-care, such as nutrition and exercise, and in rejuvenating activities for yourself and your family members

Almost all families face challenges when a child has a chronic illness or complex need. Chronic stress from medical care and/or specific demands can lead to mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety about the future.

Therapy can provide a safe space to help you feel heard and understood. If you feel more supported, you are better able to take care of yourself and the medical condition or complex need. Using evidence-based treatment strategies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and acceptance encourages the development of coping methods and realistic hope for thriving in adversity. The ultimate goal is to help you and your family handle unexpected roadblocks to find a brighter path forward.

If you are interested in support that encourages positive psychological adjustment as well as family well-being and resilience, please reach out to set up a free 15 minute consultation.