Supporting a Loved One with
Serious Mental Illness
What You’re Noticing
Supporting a family member, friend, or partner with a significant mental illness such as schizophrenia/psychosis, Bipolar Disorder, or Borderline Personality Disorder
Uncertainty about how to best support your loved one
Difficulty communicating effectively with your loved one
Feeling burnt out or exhausted by caregiving responsibilities
Chronic worry about your loved one, or feeling like you are always waiting for the other shoe to drop
Finding it challenging to maintain boundaries
Pervasive feelings of resentment, guilt, anger, and/or grief
I work with clients whose loved ones have a formal mental health diagnosis, as well as those who are exploring a diagnosis or recognize symptoms of a serious mental illness. A formal diagnosis is not required to begin therapy.
How Therapy Can Help
Explore the complexities of loving someone with serious mental illness in an open, non-judgemental space
Increase your knowledge of your loved one’s mental health condition
Experience and process your feelings in a safe, grounded environment
Identify patterns that contribute to guilt, resentment, and burnout
Develop personalized strategies for enhancing self care and your identity outside of caregiving
Improve your communication and boundary setting skills
Learn effective strategies for responding to your loved one in a crisis situation