💙   Families & Caregivers

Supporting a loved one with psychosis or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be deeply rewarding—but also incredibly stressful. Families and caregivers often face associative stigma, where they feel judged or misunderstood simply because of their relative’s diagnosis. On top of that, managing the day-to-day realities of symptoms—such as suspicious thoughts, compulsions, or mood changes—can create exhaustion, worry, and even conflict within relationships.

One of the greatest challenges families face is rebuilding or maintaining trust with a relative who may be experiencing severe mental illness. It can be painful when communication breaks down, or when your loved one pulls away just when they need support the most. Likewise, families often make accommodations - in schedules, routines, meals, or even routes to school - in hopes of alleviating distress. Counterintuitively, these family accommodations have been shown to contribute to significant family challenges.

At TRACE Behavioral Health, I work not only with individuals, but also with families and caregivers. Using evidence-based approaches—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—I provide education, skills, and strategies that help families manage stress, strengthen communication, and foster recovery.

Together, we focus on reducing caregiver burden, improving family relationships, and creating a supportive environment where both the individual and their loved ones can move forward with greater hope, less chaos, and restored dignity.