Emotional support services for carers

The physical and emotional demands of caring for someone can be high — whether they have a mental illness or a disability, are recovering from an accident or illness, or are an older person with care needs. As a carer, looking after your own emotional needs is important, so you can keep doing your care role, stay healthy and enjoy life as much as possible.

Caring can be rewarding, but it can also be stressful and demanding.

Many carers experience complicated feelings about their role. Emotions such as anger, frustration, guilt, exhaustion and annoyance are all normal.

When you spend most of your spare time looking after someone else, it is easy to become isolated or lonely. You might be too busy to catch up with friends, or they may not feel comfortable visiting while you are caring for someone.

The role of counselling#

Friends, family and other carers can offer support, but you may also find it helpful to speak with a counsellor — someone without an emotional connection to you or the person you care for.

Counselling can help you understand and work through the challenges you face as part of your care role. It can also help you manage the behaviours and relationships that come with caring for someone. Dealing with any negative feelings in a positive way can help you stay in your care role longer.

Counselling, networking and carer support services can:

• provide emotional and psychological support
• offer advice for managing challenging situations or behaviour
• help with relationship issues you might be experiencing with the person you care for, or with others
• offer grief counselling if needed
• help you work out your own needs
• help make sure you are looking after your physical health and wellbeing
• build resilience and teach you ways to manage your feelings
• help you manage feelings of loss and other overwhelming or confusing emotions
• help you deal with stress, conflict and other factors that make caring more difficult
• give advice about protecting your rights as a carer

You can have counselling by yourself or include a partner or other family members.

Finding counselling services#

Many healthcare professionals can provide some level of counselling support.

A good place to start is by speaking with your local doctor, who may then refer you to a specialised counselling service if needed. Some carer organisations also offer short-term counselling for people who provide any type of care and support to a family member or friend.

These services can also help if you have recently stopped providing care — for example, if the person you care for has moved into residential care or has died. In some areas, counsellors who speak languages other than English may be available, and sessions can often be held face to face, over the phone or by video call.

Other types of emotional support#

Getting emotional support does not always mean formal counselling. There are many ways to look after yourself emotionally, including:

• catching up with other carers in your local area
• spending time with family and friends
• taking time out for yourself, for things like hobbies and exercise
• arranging respite services for the person you care for
• taking a holiday

Where to get help#