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for medical & special needs parentsSupport from someone who truly understands
Telehealth therapy for parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity or special needs, addressing caregiver burnout, anticipatory grief, and identity loss.
When I signed up to be a foster parent, I never imagined it would also mean becoming a medical parent, times three.
No book could have prepared me for the diagnoses, the hospital visits, the advocacy, or the emotional toll of it all. But through that journey, I gained something invaluable: real-life experience, deep compassion, and an understanding of what it means to parent a medically complex child.
Whether you’re a foster, adoptive, or biological parent, stepping into the role of a medical parent is a whole new world. You become your child’s nurse, case manager, therapist, and advocate, all while trying to hold onto your own identity. Finding the right resources for your child is hard enough. Finding support for yourself? That can feel almost impossible.
As a therapist and a fellow “medical mama,” I offer a space where you are truly seen, heard, and supported. I help you navigate the emotional weight of caregiving, connect you to programs and resources you may not even know exist, and guide you in rediscovering your own needs, joy, and purpose.
You don't have to figure it all out alone
- Coping with anxiety or caregiver burnout
- Navigating grief or feelings of loss around expectations
- Strengthening your self-compassion
- Building practical strategies for balance and self-care
- Exploring your identity beyond the caregiver role
- Finding resources to help build your child's village
We'll celebrate the small (and huge) wins, work through the moments of exhaustion and grief, and help you find strength in a journey that often feels invisible to others.
FAQs
What might signal it's time for me, as a caregiver, to reach out for support?
If you notice persistent feelings of anxiety, chronic fatigue, constant overwhelm, grief, guilt, isolation, loss of sense of self, difficulty balancing self-care with caregiving demands, strained relationships, or trouble coping emotionally, those can be signs you need support. Therapy can provide a safe space to process grieving “normalcy,” manage stress, restore self-compassion, build coping habits, and reconnect with your own needs. Remember, I am a caregiver like you, so I get it.
What should I look for in a therapist if I'm a parent of a child with medical or special needs?
A good therapist for special needs parents understands not only parenting stress, but also the unique challenges of medical care coordination, advocacy, grief, and identity shifts. Look for someone with experience in medical social work or working with families of children with chronic illness or special needs. At DLG Therapy, I combine my professional background and lived experience as a foster/adoptive parent to medically complex children.
Can telehealth therapy actually work for busy parents?
Absolutely! Telehealth lets you access therapy from home, without travel, and schedule around medical appointments and caregiving. Morning coffee time, lunch breaks and after the children are asleep are great opportunities for your needs to get met, and yes, you can eat during therapy!
You don't have to keep carrying this alone.
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure, just a conversation.
Book your free callOr call 561-903-0096 · Diana@DLGtherapy.com
