Caregiver Counseling Program

UT Health Austin’s Caregiver Counseling Program within the Comprehensive Memory Center is designed to provide practical and emotional support to family caregivers of people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Our licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) offer counseling to address the many complex concerns experienced by family caregivers.

Quick Facts:*

60% of dementia caregivers experience moderate to severe stress and rated emotional stress as high to very high.
Approximately half of caregivers suffer from anxiety and reported feeling a high level of burden.
35% of caregivers report that their health has gotten worse due to care responsibilities.
30-40% of family caregivers of people with dementia suffer from depression.
Spouses are at 2.5 times higher odds to have depression than non-spouse caregivers.
84% of caregivers say they could use more information or support on caregiving topics.

* Counseling the Alzheimer’s Caregiver: A Resource for Health Care Professionals
2017 Alzheimer’s Association Facts & Figures

Care Team Approach

Our licensed clinical social workers use a person-centered and strengths-based approach to help family caregivers establish goals that hold personal significance within their caregiving role. Evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused approaches, and mindfulness techniques, are used to help family caregivers achieve these goals.

Counseling sessions focus on the following areas:

Helping family caregivers in identifying personal values and beliefs important in their caregiving role
Navigating family relationships
Coping with emotional distress
Developing strategies to manage stressors
Fostering activities that can promote caregiver health and well-being

Topics specific to dementia caregiving may include:

Education about dementia progression and stages
Communication strategies
How to respond to challenging behaviors in dementia
Understanding advanced directives and planning for the future
Assistance with community resources

Explore additional dementia caregiver support services.

<br>Benefits of Caregiver Counseling

Counseling can help reduce stress and anxiety by providing knowledge on the progression of the condition and an understanding of the prospective changes to come. Counseling also allows family members to express their feelings and work toward an acceptance of the condition. The quality of life of people living with dementia can be significantly improved when family caregivers meet with a counselor.

Sessions with our licensed clinical social workers are:

45-50 minutes
Available in person and through telehealth
Accepted by most insurances
Open to multiple family members and/or the person living with dementia or cognitive impairment

Caregiver Support Services

Caregiving can be both rewarding and stressful at the same time. Recognizing that caregivers also need support is critical to maintaining optimal health so that caregivers can continue to adequately care for their loved ones.

Topics of support may include:

Obtaining a diagnosis
Coming to terms with the diagnosis
Understanding the progression of the disease
Sharing the diagnosis with family and friends
Establishing routines and maintaining structure
Developing effective communication strategies
Addressing legal and financial matters
Planning for long-term housing needs
Managing transportation, including driving concerns
Accessing community resources
Coping with caregiving from a distance
Dealing with mixed feelings about seeking help
Handling challenging behaviors
Navigating issues related to intimacy
Exploring one’s identity as a caregiver
Nurturing emotional well-being, spirituality, and hope
Processing grief and loss
Addressing feelings of depression, anxiety, and burden

Appointment Information

Caregivers caring for a loved one with a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment, preferably confirmed by a specialist, can make an appointment at the Comprehensive Memory Center by calling 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737). Patient history and diagnosis information is critical in the development of a comprehensive treatment approach for caregivers.

To request caregiver counseling services, please complete the following:

Counseling Referral Form (pdf)

Community Resources

Community care programs and services vary by state. Explore the links below for additional information on dementia resources, community programs, medical services, long-term care options specific to your area, and more.