THE FUSE

When a 45-year-old woman called seeking an appointment for treatment of depression and anxiety, the psychotherapist assumed she would be a standard case. But during the initial visit, the client said her symptoms had a specific cause: Caring for her father with dementia and two teenage daughters while also holding down a full-time job was stressing her out. Her story gave the therapist pause. Would typical psychotherapeutic modalities help this client? Or would she need a specialized treatment focused on managing caregiving’s many challenges?