Support for managing the emotional toll of caregiving
Parent Caregiver Therapy
in Lexington, Massachusetts
Services available virtually throughout Massachusetts
Being a parent caregiver can feel like double duty. You try to be a present parent, make memories and special moments with your child, while also managing medications, doctor’s appointments, therapies, advocacy, and more. You love your child deeply and notice that caregiving is leaving you physically and emotionally exhausted, which can lead to burnout and can bring up feelings of grief and guilt.
It’s easy to put your own well-being last, but taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, overwhelmed, or losing yourself in the process, therapy can help. Therapy for parent caregivers provides a space to slow down and navigate the grief, uncertainty, and difficulty emotions. In therapy, we will also help you develop strategies to set healthy boundaries, manage stress, and regain a sense of balance, so you can care for your loved one without losing yourself.
Does this sound familiar?
You’re exhausted on every level - physically, mentally and emotionally.
It may look like you’re holding it all together but quietly you’re falling apart inside.
You experience grief for the life you had imagined and the milestones that may never come.
You’re always managing, anticipating, researching, and make all the decisions.
You need rest but feel guilty when you take it.
You want to ask for help but know that asking for help will require you to be the one to find, coordinate, and train someone.
Caregiving for Individuals with Medical Complexity and Disability
Caring for a loved one with complex medical needs can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly difficult. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, guilty, or alone at times. In therapy, we’ll work on:
Coping with caregiver stress and burnout
Managing anxiety, sadness, or resentment without judgment
Building resilience and self-care practices
Navigating family dynamics and difficult decisions
Finding support in your role while staying connected to your own needs and goals
Therapy for Parents of Children with Disabilities and Medical Complexities:
Therapy for parent caregivers isn’t about finding ways to do less for your child, it’s about helping you find balance so you can show up for yourself and your loved ones with more patience, energy, and in a way that feels authentic to you. Therapy helps you feel lighter, stronger, and more in control. It’s a place to breathe, process emotions, and remember that your well-being matters too.
Therapy goals may include:
Processing your grief and learning to manage difficult emotions
Processing trauma for witnessing medical emergencies with your child
Having a space where you feeling understood
Learning to set boundaries without guilt
Finding moments of peace in your daily life
Learning to regulate your nervous system if you feel like you’re constantly in survival mode
Reconnecting to other parts of your identity outside of caregiving
You don't have to navigate the hard parts alone, and you deserve support that recognizes your needs, too.
Meet Dr. Liz Spitzer:
Clinical Psychologist in Lexington, MA
Virtual Therapy available throughout Massachusetts
Hi, I'm Dr. Liz Spitzer, a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts.
I draw on years of clinical training, research, and experience to offer evidence-based therapy tailored to you and where you are. Beyond my training, I know what you need isn’t just strategies, you need someone who truly gets it. My approach is warm, compassionate, and practical. I create a space where you can talk about the exhaustion, the frustration, and even the guilt without feeling judged. My goal is to help you care for yourself just as much as you care for others.
I am passionate about mental health for parent caregivers. I have been a guest on “The Rare Life” podcast with host, Madeline Cheney, discussing “Therapy 101 | Barriers Disability Parents Face + How to Receive This Much-Needed Care” (episode 138). I also presented at the Federation for Children with Special Needs 2026 Visions of Community conference on “Coping with Grief and Trauma as a Caregiver.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
In the beginning of our work together, we will discuss what you are hoping to get out of therapy and will make a treatment plan together. Some types of therapy I offer include:
Trauma therapy: cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE), and written exposure therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
-
Yes! Therapy provides practical strategies to manage stress, set healthy boundaries, process difficult emotions, and prevent burnout, so you can continue caring and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
-
Yes. I provide in-person sessions in Lexington, MA, as well as secure virtual therapy for clients across Massachusetts, allowing flexibility based on your needs.
-
My office is located on the second floor of a building without an elevator, which may present challenges for some individuals. To ensure therapy remains accessible, I’m happy to schedule telehealth sessions. This allows us to meet your therapy needs in a convenient, accessible way.
-
We will set a cadence of therapy that works for you. I also try to be as flexible and human, as possible, when it comes to scheduling around appointments and changes due to unforeseen circumstances. We can chat more about concerns you may have during a consultation call too.