Tending to Your Own Mental Health as a Caregiver

Thrive • February 18, 2022
By Thrive Reno Therapist Casey Rollins, MSW, LSW, CSW-Intern

If you have an aging parent, child with special needs, sick spouse, or any loved one unable to fully care for themselves, you may find yourself in the role of a caregiver. Caregivers can also be paid professionals. 

Depending on the needs of the person in their care, caregivers help individuals with many daily tasks, such as grocery shopping, medication monitoring, and housekeeping. As a caregiver’s life can be heavily centered around the needs of others, both professional and family caregivers commonly neglect to nurture their own mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

Caregivers may experience mental and emotional health struggles brought on by:

  • Isolation : Consumed by their role, caregivers may feel isolated from their family, friends, and peers, especially if others are not sharing in the responsibilities.
  • Financial strain: Many unpaid caregivers channel their financial resources into caring for their loved ones. 
  • Sacrifice of self-care: Caregiving is generally a constant, on-demand obligation. As such, many caregivers aren’t able to spend ample time alone, engage in activities they enjoy as often as desired, or practice sufficient self-care
  • Emotional distress: Facing worry over their loved one’s well-being and pressure to ease their loved one’s discomfort, caregivers commonly experience emotional distress. 

THREE TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AS A CAREGIVER

1. Check in with yourself.

Instead of suppressing your thoughts and emotions, take time to honestly consider how you feel, what you’re thinking, and what your needs might be. By acknowledging your physical, mental and emotional states, you can take strides to nourish your well-being.

2. Ask for help.

Reach out to other loved ones for support when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, a little delegation can go a long way in lightening your load and feeling less alone in caregiving endeavors. You may also consider taking advantage of community and national resources for caregivers. The National Alliance for Caregiving provides an extensive list of support dedicated to caregivers here

3. Rest.

By prioritizing sleep and relaxation, you can feel recharged, energized, and even inspired in your role as a caregiver.

INVEST IN YOUR WELL-BEING

As a caregiver, keep in mind that you’re human and you can only handle so much. You too, have real and valid physical, mental, and emotional needs. Just as you give to others, you should also give to yourself. Taking time to invest in your well-being may mean allowing yourself the time and space to attend therapy, which can provide you with an opportunity to process and better understand your experiences, and develop strategies for overcoming challenges. If you’d like to learn more about Thrive’s therapeutic services , reach out .  

About the Author

Thrive Reno Therapist Casey Rollins, MSW, LSW, CSW-Intern

Casey Rollins, LSW, CSW-Intern, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in addiction treatment services at the University of Nevada, Reno. She went on to receive her master’s degree from Simmons University in Social Work. Casey has experience working with veterans, children with neuro developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioral issues. Casey is passionate about working with individuals in helping them to understand that rewriting their story is possible. She believes that we, whether individually, or collectively, are allowed to begin anew at any point along our journey in life. Casey is also dedicated to the treatment and advocacy of the impacts of systemic and interpersonal trauma for Black youth as well as all People of Color. She believes this journey of healing is yours, whenever you are ready, you are welcomed with fierce compassion. Casey sets forth interactions with others with the phenomenal and late Maya Angelou in mind, “just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I rise.”

In her free time, Casey enjoys spending time with family and friends, creating artwork, writing poetry, jamming out to music at any given moment, spending time connecting in nature, and is a self proclaimed movie buff.

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December 2, 2025
Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
November 14, 2025
The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
November 11, 2025
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season? Thrive Wellness is excited to continue our 6th Annual Giving Tree Program in collaboration with Perenn Bakery this winter. This year, Thrive Wellness Reno and Perenn Bakery are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northern Nevada. The organization supports families with children receiving treatment at area hospitals, providing comfort, hope, and a home-away-from-home during challenging times. Ronald McDonald House Charities offers essential services, removes barriers, strengthens families, and promotes healing when children need healthcare the most. How It Works Simply take one (or a few) tags from the Giving Tree, each listing an item you can purchase and donate for residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Then, drop off your item(s) at one of our designated donation locations by Friday, December 19. Items Needed: Restaurant gift cards Walmart or Target gift cards Games, puzzles, and coloring books Toys (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego sets, craft sets, magnet blocks, baby dolls, action figures, journals, infant toys, etc.) Children's books (picture, chapter, and graphic novels) Toiletry sets (for adults) Lotion/self-care gift sets (for adults) Sweatshirts/hoodies (adults, XS-XXL) Scarves, gloves, fuzzy socks, pajamas (all sizes) Infant diapers, onesies, and baby bottles Bulk individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, chips, etc.) Please ensure all donations are new, in original packaging, and unwrapped. Donation Drop-Off Locations Please deliver donations by Friday, December 19, to one of the following sites: Thrive Wellness 201 W Liberty St., Suite 201, Reno, NV 89501 Perenn Grocery 7600 Rancharrah Pkwy, Suite 130, Reno, NV 89511 The first 50 people to return their donations will receive a complimentary ornament gift!  Why We Give Back Through our Giving Tree program, we’re honoring one of our core values at Thrive Wellness: staying rooted in community. This annual tradition allows us to give back to those who need support most during the holiday season. We invite you to join us by taking a tag at any Thrive or Perenn location and helping spread kindness throughout our community. There’s no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by supporting local families with thoughtful, heartfelt donations. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
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