I help People Diagnosed with Serious & Terminal Illnesses and Caregivers
Does any of this feel familiar?
If you’re living with a serious or terminal illness…
You might find yourself thinking:
“No one understands what it’s like to have this diagnosis.”
“I never know from day to day if I’ll even be able to get out of bed.”
“I can’t talk about death with my family — I have to be strong for them.”
“It feels so unfair. I’ve taken care of myself, done everything right…why me?”
Serious or terminal illness brings not only physical symptoms, but invisible emotional and spiritual pain. It’s okay to say it out loud. It’s okay to feel what you feel. You don’t have to hold it alone.
If you’re caring for an elderly or medically fragile loved one…
Your days might sound like this:
“I can’t leave the house after dark because of Mom’s sundowning.”
“I get anxious every time I try to hire someone to stay with Dad so I can go to an event.”
“I’m distracted at work because I’m terrified Mom is home alone — what if she wanders or gets locked outside again?”
“Every day feels like a small loss…we’re losing pieces of her, slowly, painfully.”
Caregiving changes your world. It impacts your identity, your time, your relationships, and your emotional well‑being. You deserve support just as much as the person you’re caring for.
If you’re a couple navigating illness or caregiving…
You may hear things like:
“Everyone our age is traveling and living life, and we’re stuck here. It’s not fair.”
“You get upset when I put Dad first — but he’s dying. I feel torn in two.”
“I can’t help that I’m sick. I physically can’t keep up with the house the way you want.”
“It hurts that you expect intimacy when I’m exhausted from doing everything on my own.”
Illness and caregiving shift roles, routines, intimacy, and expectations. Even strong couples can start to feel distant, resentful, or misunderstood. These experiences are real. They’re common. And they are absolutely worth exploring in a safe, supportive space.
How I can Help you...
I have experience working with people just like you and helping them navigate these experiences
I have been a medical social worker for 23 years, working in hospitals, hospices, and clinical settings where illness and uncertainty are part of everyday life. I’ve supported individuals and families through serious and terminal diagnoses, sitting with them in moments of fear, grief, and profound transition.
I also know these experiences personally. I’ve been a caregiver for my own parents through medical crises and through my father’s death. I understand how overwhelming, disorienting, and emotionally heavy this time can be.
Because of this, my work is rooted in compassion, steadiness, and presence.
I’m here to stand beside you—just as I’ve stood beside so many others—and help you navigate whatever this chapter is bringing into your life. You don’t have to walk it alone.
Therapy areas that I focus on
Counseling for Serious or Terminal Illness
Counseling for Serious or Terminal Illness
Counseling for Serious or Terminal Illness
You may be living with an autoimmune or chronic condition such as Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Fibromyalgia—each bringing its own set of symptoms, limitations, and daily uncertainties.
You may also be navigating a cancer diagnosis or treatment, carrying the physical, emotional, and spiritual weight that comes
You may be living with an autoimmune or chronic condition such as Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Fibromyalgia—each bringing its own set of symptoms, limitations, and daily uncertainties.
You may also be navigating a cancer diagnosis or treatment, carrying the physical, emotional, and spiritual weight that comes with it.
Or you may be adjusting to life after a traumatic brain injury, noticing changes in your memory, mood, concentration, or social interactions.
These experiences can touch every part of your life. And you deserve a space where all of this is understood, honored, and supported.
Counseling for Caregivers
Counseling for Serious or Terminal Illness
Counseling for Serious or Terminal Illness
You may find yourself caring for a loved one with dementia, cognitive decline, a traumatic brain injury, or complex medical needs such as feeding tubes or wound care. These responsibilities can be heavy, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. Over time, the constant vigilance and pressure can lead to caregiver burnout—leaving you exhaus
You may find yourself caring for a loved one with dementia, cognitive decline, a traumatic brain injury, or complex medical needs such as feeding tubes or wound care. These responsibilities can be heavy, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. Over time, the constant vigilance and pressure can lead to caregiver burnout—leaving you exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering how much longer you can keep going.
Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an essential step in helping you stay grounded, healthy, and able to care from a place of steadiness rather than depletion. And through all of this, practicing self‑compassion is vital—offering yourself the same gentleness and understanding that you so freely give to others.
Couples Counseling
Counseling for Serious or Terminal Illness
Couples Counseling
You and your partner may find yourselves navigating the impact of a serious illness or stepping into the demanding role of caregivers. These experiences can place significant strain on a relationship, shifting roles and routines in ways you never expected. The stress often brings long‑standing patterns or unresolved issues to the surface—
You and your partner may find yourselves navigating the impact of a serious illness or stepping into the demanding role of caregivers. These experiences can place significant strain on a relationship, shifting roles and routines in ways you never expected. The stress often brings long‑standing patterns or unresolved issues to the surface—sometimes suddenly and without warning.
Illness and caregiving can also create real communication strain, making it harder to express needs, listen with patience, or understand each other’s emotional worlds amid so much uncertainty. And over time, this can lead to emotional disconnection—both partners feeling alone, unheard, or misunderstood even while living under the same roof.
It can feel disorienting, heartbreaking, and incredibly heavy—yet you don’t have to face it alone or without support.
Contact ME
For personalized individuals and couples therapy, you can call or text 1-888-399-0258.
Vibrant Counseling
