Emotional exhaustion is not unusual for partners of chronically ill spouses. As the spouse/partner of someone with a disability, it is common to experience a wide range of emotions, which may include frustration, resentment, guilt and anger. Painful emotions can be explored in a productive way with the proper emotional support.
It is not your responsibility to be a therapist for your spouse/partner.
This will not work in the long term for either of you or for the rest of your family. While you provide love, support and empathy for your partner, it is important to be mindful of the impact on your own needs. Self-care is not selfish but a necessity.
Emotional support can help you process your feelings and set goals for your own coping as a way to communicate with your spouse/partner.
Sometimes the goal may be to help an already strong relationship work through the challenges that come with disability; sometimes the goal may be to improve the quality of a strained connection so that the relationship can come to serve as a support and sanctuary for both partners. Other times, the goal may be to clarify the nature of the relationship and help the couple transition to the next stage, whatever that might be.
“My wife and I are devoted to one another but she suffers from debilitating fibromyalgia and I am an active hiker which can lead to strains in our marriage at times. Lindsay has helped us understand each other’s perspectives, given us tools for communicating better and all of this is helping to strengthen our marriage.”
Allow me to help you find not only the strength to persevere but also the ability to find joy in your life. I can work with you individually or collaboratively to safely and compassionately examine the nature and the quality of your connection. My goal is to help you gain perspective and equilibrium in a situation where you may not have total control. I can help you and your spouse/partner establish expectations and healthy boundaries.
I work with couples of all cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations, including partners in non-traditional relationships.