Holding It All: Building Community Through the Caregiver Experience

IN THIS EPISODE

In today’s episode, Sarah introduces Madison, a new therapist and grad student at Kindman and Co. They discuss their soon-to-be-launched caregiver support group. Both share personal experiences being caregivers and reflect on the challenges and responsibilities that come with this role. They express the importance of support systems, the evolving nature of caregiving, and their hopes for the group's impact.

TOPICS

Caregivers, Therapy, Support Group, Community, Mental Health Support

KEY FIGURES

Sarah Barukh, Madison Segarra, Kindman & Co.

SUMMARY

In this episode of 'Out of Session with Kindman and Co.', Sarah and new team member Madison discuss the launch of their upcoming caregiver support group. Both Sarah and Madison share personal experiences of being caregivers. They reflect on the challenges and evolving responsibilities that come with caregiving roles and the crucial need for support systems. Their conversation emphasizes the yearning for community, understanding, and advocacy to help caregivers navigate their responsibilities more effectively and feel less isolated in their roles.

The episode touches on various emotions associated with caregiving, such as anxiety, fear, and resentment, especially when caregivers consider the long-term commitments to their loved ones. Both hosts agree on the necessity of having someone to lean on, whether it's family, partners, or a support group, and the importance of defining their roles through meaningful language and ownership. They highlight that caregiving requires acute awareness and emotional resilience, often involving preemptive actions to meet the needs of those they care for.

Sarah and Madison express hopes for their new support group to provide a space for caregivers to share experiences, exchange resources, and receive validation. This group aims to create a community where caregivers can find solace, exchange knowledge, and, most importantly, feel understood and less alone in their journeys.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Caregiving Often Comes Without a RoadmapMany caregivers step into the role without preparation, training, or support, learning on the fly while navigating complex healthcare, emotional, and personal challenges.
  

• The Emotional Toll of Caregiving Is Deep and Often InvisibleCaregivers experience isolation, burnout, guilt, and identity shifts, especially when societal recognition and support systems are lacking.
  

• There’s Power in Naming and Sharing the Caregiving ExperienceCreating language and space for caregivers to talk about their roles fosters community, healing, and validation, helping reduce stigma and silence.
  

• Peer-led initiatives can foster meaningful change.Madison and Sarah’s support group aims to build a “spider web” of connection for caregivers, proving that shared lived experience is a powerful tool for healing and advocacy.

KEY QUOTES

“It doesn't make the weight any lighter, but you feel more supported in carrying it.”

— Sarah

“The idea that you are also allowed to have needs can feel really foreign.”

— Sarah

“There’s nobody to ever give you a handout for how to navigate this system.”

— Madison

“Community makes the hardest things feel more manageable.”

— Sarah

CALL TO ACTION

Look out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.

Interested in joining Sarah and Madison’s support group for caregivers? Follow this link to visit the group’s page on our website.