Emotional support for caregivers: finding someone to talk to.

This guide is for parents and other adults caring for a child or an adult. You might want to talk about caregiving, a relationship, a decision, or something else in your life. You don’t need a polished explanation before you start looking.

What would you like someone to hear?

Emotional support can mean having room to describe what you’re experiencing and be listened to. You might want someone to help you consider options. You might want to finish a thought before hearing suggestions.

It can help to put that preference into words: “I’d like someone to listen first,” or “I want to think through a decision.” These are possible ways to begin, not something you need to prepare or practice.

If you feel lonely in your caregiving role, you may want a conversation where your interests and concerns have a place, too. Being a caregiver does not have to be the only thing you discuss.

Look at what the support actually includes.

The word “support” can describe different things. Someone to talk with, help with daily care, and information about services meet different needs. Check what a program offers before deciding whether it is the kind of help you want.

If you want a conversation, ask whether meetings are individual or in a group, who you would speak with, and whether you can choose what to discuss. If you need practical assistance, ask directly whether that assistance is provided.

You can also ask how suggestions are handled. Will there be room to disagree, take time to consider an idea, or say that you want to talk about something else?

Ask about the details that matter to you.

Before joining, you may want to know:

• Cost: Is there a fee, and does participation involve any other commitment?
• Format: Where do meetings happen, how long do they last, and how often would you meet?
• The person you’ll meet: What is their role, and will you usually speak with the same person?
• Privacy: Are conversations recorded or notes kept? Who can access them, and how are they handled?
• Your choices: Can you ask questions before joining and discuss whether you want to continue?

You can decide which questions matter most to you. This is a guide to choosing support, not a checklist you have to complete.

How support works here.

At Behavior Science for Real Life, parents and caregivers age 18 and older throughout the United States can ask about free, one-to-one support for their own lives. You meet with a member of our team over Zoom, typically twice a month for 30–45 minutes.

You choose what to talk about. Our team listens and offers information or options when you want them. There is no required homework, and meetings do not ask you to carry out an intervention with the person you care for.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst reviews the team member’s work between meetings and does not attend your meetings. All meetings are recorded for training and supervision. You can read who can access recordings and notes, and how recordings are handled before deciding whether to participate.

Read what caregiver support meetings are like and learn about our team and how the service stays free.