Counselling for Caregivers
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UNDERSTANDING CAREGIVER STRESS AND OVERWHELM
What is it, and when does it become a concern?
Caregiver stress, overwhelm and burnout develops when the ongoing demands of caring for a child, partner, aging parent, or family member start to outweigh your capacity to cope. Feeling tired or stretched now and then is a normative part of caregiving. It becomes a concern when exhaustion, resentment, or anxiety become constant, and start affecting your health, relationships, or ability to keep showing up for the people who depend on you.
Caregiver stress affects people at every stage of life, whether you’re raising children, supporting a family member with a chronic illness or disability, or caring for aging parents, and it presents differently for everyone. However if it shows up for you, know that you are not alone, and that support is available, even if your role as caregiver never fully pauses.
At Brock Counselling, we meet every client without judgment, understanding that caring for others often means putting your own needs last. We work collaboratively to understand how caregiving is affecting your life, and build practical strategies that help you sustain your energy and well-being for the long run.
Common signs of caregiver stress and overwhelm
Caregiver stress shows up differently from person to person, and recognizing the signs is often the first step toward feeling better.
Emotional & Cognitive
- FEELINGS OF GUILT, RESENTMENT, OR IRRITABILITY
- PERSISTENT WORRY OR DIFFICULTY SWITCHING OFF
- SENSE OF BEING TRAPPED OR UNABLE TO KEEP UP
- LOSS OF INTEREST IN THINGS YOU USED TO ENJOY
- FEELING ISOLATED OR MISUNDERSTOOD BY OTHERS
Physical & Behavioural
- CHRONIC FATIGUE OR TROUBLE SLEEPING
- NEGLECTING YOUR OWN HEALTH OR APPOINTMENTS
- WITHDRAWING FROM FRIENDS OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
- CHANGES IN APPETITE OR ENERGY LEVELS
- DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING OR a sense of "being ON" AT ALL TIMES
How we support your healing
Our therapists use evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment approaches. Therapy is tailored to each person’s individual goals and needs.
No two journeys look the same, and neither should therapy.
Understand the Root
Therapy begins by exploring your day-to-day caregiving responsibilities and routines, and how these are contributing to your stress. The goal of therapy is to look at the underlying pressures driving your stress, not just the exhaustion or frustration on the surface.
Build Practical Tools
We help you develop concrete strategies for managing stress, setting boundaries, and protecting your own wellbeing, drawn from modalities proven effective for caregiver burnout and chronic stress.
Sustain Progress
As you build confidence, we help you maintain your gains, strengthen your support systems, and develop lasting tools to manage the demands of caregiving with greater balance and resilience over time.
How we work with caregivers
Our therapists use a variety of evidence-based modalities, selecting and blending approaches based on what will work best for you
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Targets the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that keep caregivers stuck in cycles of overwhelm.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Learning to make room for difficult emotions like guilt, anger and resentment while staying connected to your own values and needs.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Building present-moment awareness and practical calming techniques to manage the physical and mental toll of chronic stress.
Solution-Focused Therapy
Identifying realistic, achievable changes that create more breathing room in your day-to-day caregiving routine.
Psychoeducation & Skills Training
Understanding the caregiver stress cycle and burnout, and building boundary-setting and self-care skills that fit your specific situation.
What to expect when you reach out
Starting therapy can feel like a big step. You’re right – it is! Here’s how the process works at Brock Counselling, so you know exactly what to expect.
1
Brief Consultation
Therapy starts with an initial 15-min phone consultation to discuss individual needs, as well as explore fit. Connection with a therapist is important and integral for working toward change. This connection will begin to be explored during the phone consultation. This is also a good place to ask your questions about the therapy process.
2
Your First Session
During this appointment, your therapist will spend time getting to know you, your background, and the obstacles you're facing, as well as begin to discuss your goals for therapy. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with, and no judgment for needing support with a role you didn't necessarily choose alone.
3
Ongoing Support
At the end of the first session, you and your therapist will discuss frequency of sessions, as well as a plan for future sessions. Therapy is not a "one size fits all." Sessions are tailored to your individual needs. As you begin to heal, the frequency may change, giving more time in between sessions to allow you to utilize skills and begin to cope.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Choosing to reach out is the hardest part. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you find the right fit — no pressure, no commitment.
Ready When You Are
Book a Free Phone Consultation
Book a 15-minute phone consultation with one of our therapists. During this call, we’ll discuss your needs and goals and explore how our tailored approach can support your healing journey.
FAQs
How do I book an appointment?
There are many ways to book an appointment:
NEW CLIENTS: If you are a NEW client to Brock Counselling, please follow this link to send us a message: Contact Brock Counselling for Support and Therapy Services.
You can also book directly by e-mailing info@brockcounselling.ca or calling us at 905-320-2342.
EXISTING CLIENTS: If you are a CURRENT client, please use the Owl Portal link on the top right-hand side of the page. This will take you to the online booking platform: OWL, where you can book an appointment.
Alternatively, you can reach out to your therapist directly to book an appointment or contact info@brockcounselling.ca.
Therapy may be a good fit if:
- You have a problem that is interfering with your daily life;
- You have unresolved negative feelings that are affecting your work, home tasks, parenting, or relationships;
- Your family doctor recommended that you speak with a social worker or psychotherapist;
- You have been diagnosed with a mental health condition;
- Your coping strategies are harmful to your health and well-being (drinking alcohol in excess, using drugs, disordered eating, isolation, ‘doom scrolling’); OR
- You are looking for impartial feedback about your life and life choices.
People begin therapy for many different reasons. You do not have to have everything figured out before reaching out for support.
Therapy welcomes all individuals and requires no prior experience.
You do not need to bring or prepare anything for your first appointment – other than a willingness to participate and engage in the therapy process.
Your therapist will guide and support you through the first appointment. At the end of this appointment, your therapist will help you with setting goals and discussing what your hopes are for your therapy journey.
The primary differences between an RSW (Registered Social Worker) and a Psychologist are their education and the services they provide.
RSWs hold a Bachelor of Social Work or a Master of Social Work. This allows them to provide psychotherapy in Ontario.
Psychologists hold of Doctor of Psychology. While they can provide psychotherapy, most psychologists exclusively provide mental health assessments (i.e., Psychoeducational assessments, ADHD assessments, autism assessments).
It is best to speak directly with the professional about what services they provide.
Yes! Evening appointments are offered most nights of the week.
Weekend appointments are offered on Saturday morning and early afternoon.
Yes. What you share is confidential and your privacy is prioritized.
The information you share during a therapy session is protected by the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), ensuring a safe and trusting therapeutic relationships between you and your therapist.
If you chose to share information with your spouse, family, employer, or other individual, you would sign a written consent. You have the right to revoke this written consent at any time.
Short answer, no.
Services are not offered outside of Ontario.
Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists are governed by separate regulatory bodies.
The Ontario College of Social Workers restricts services to clients located in Ontario.
The College of Registered Psychotherapists also restricts services to clients located in Ontario.
Absolutely!
In fact, fit is very important as it reflects the compatibility between you and your therapist.
Research consistently supports that the relationship between a client and therapist is the single most predictor in therapy success – as opposed to treatment type used, number of sessions, and diagnosis.
It may be a good fit if:
- You feel comfortable opening up, especially about the hard or embarrassing stuff;
- You feel heard, understood, and respected;
- You feel comfortable with your therapist challenging you in healthy ways;
- You genuinely want to attend sessions, even when what you’re talking about is difficult.
Yes, some insurance companies allow for direct billing. Please reach out to the practice directly at info@brockcounselling.ca to inquire if your insurance company is on the list of approvals.