Internship site: Mercy Home

Target Audience: Parents and Caregivers of children with devleopmental delays

Project Name: Care for the Caregiver

I am responsible for facilitating the “Proactive Strategies for Stress and Anxiety” group. This group’s goal is to help the group member develop stress management skills needed to improve personal wellness and family dynamics. This group runs for 30-45 minutes and has an average group size of 4-6 parents/ caregivers each week. My hope is through this group; members will learn and develop effective ways to reduce the negative effects of stress by applying stress reduction methods in their everyday life. In addition, other learning objectives include: improving anger recognition and anger management skills and improving problem-solving skills and enhance personal support systems. In order to accomplish these learning objectives, I use motivational, educational and cognitive-behavioral strategies. In addition, I utilize reading handouts, self-assessments, group discussions and homework as part of the group process.

The intended outcome and hope is that each caregiver will develop essential stress coping skills, enjoy decreased levels of stress and a better quality of life.  According to my members this outcome is being realized.  many of the members report a greater ability to manage their stress and in turn feel better.