Adult Siblings of Individuals with Special Needs
Being a sibling of an individual with a developmental disability, mental illness, or other significant condition brings unique challenges, along with potential strengths. Because siblings often experience guilt over having any negative feelings about their brother or sister with a disability, it can be difficult to acknowledge their own needs for self-expression and support. I provide a non-judgmental space for siblings to explore the full range of their thoughts and feelings about their personal experience.
See my group page for information about groups and workshops for siblings.
Some common difficulties that adult siblings experience include:
Contact me at 646 753-0754 or [email protected] to learn more about how I help siblings.
See my group page for information about groups and workshops for siblings.
Some common difficulties that adult siblings experience include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Perfectionism
- Putting other people's needs before your own
- Difficulty identifying your needs
- Survivor guilt
- Shame
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Difficulty expressing anger
- Grief
- Internalizing feelings
- Fear of abandonment
- Excessive care-taking role in relationships
- Resentment
- Concerns about having your own children
- Trauma resulting from a sibling’s unpredictable or dangerous behaviors
- Stress related to becoming the primary caretaker or guardian of a sibling with disability
Contact me at 646 753-0754 or [email protected] to learn more about how I help siblings.