When someone close to you suddenly learns that he or she has a serious illness, life changes for everyone in the family. Whether the illness is acute, chronic, or terminal, the effects touch everyone. Ordinary, everyday life is affected. Relationships are affected. Life plans and dreams are affected. The whole family system is shaken up.

When this happens, people react in different ways. Some people retreat into denial or are overcome by emotions. Some people move into action. We know that everyone wants to do their best to help their loved one. We hope the fact that you're reading this means you not only want to help and support someone you love, but that you know you must take care of yourself in the process. Only by paying attention to your own needs, emotions and concerns can you be in condition to help others with theirs.

For we deeply believe that the such a wake-up call often beckons us to greater understanding of each other, more compassion for ourselves and others, an acute desire to live up to their most important values, the creation of different goals, and ultimately to be more fully present in life itself.

In the course of our work together, we help you to:

• Recognize and respect your emotions so that you can move with and through them, and return to a balanced state
  
• Be present for your loved one without trying to change or fix him or her - or the situation
  
• Communicate honestly and authentically to deepen your intimacy. Know what's OK to request and to decline
  
• Learn how to support your loved one without abandoning yourself
  
• Create your own support community.