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Caregiver Stress Therapy, Care for You.
Telehealth support for the people who care for others. Covered by Partnership HealthPlan Medi-Cal, with no referral and no waitlist.
Last updated: October 2026
Who This Is For
What this therapy helps with
- Burnout and emotional exhaustion
- Compassion fatigue
- Parents of children with IDD
- Adults supporting family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- Caring for an aging parent
- Direct support professionals
Your therapy is your own, separate from your family member’s services.
Our Approach
How treatment works
- Sustainable caregiving. Support for caring well without losing yourself in the role.
- Your own needs. Sessions can focus on you, separate from the person you care for.
- Stress, grief, and mood. Anxiety, depression, and grief tied to caregiving are all reasons to start.
- Fits your schedule. Evening and weekend appointments, by video or phone from home.
Sessions run 50 to 60 minutes by video or phone, so you can join from a quiet room nearby.
When To Reach Out
Signs caregiving is wearing you down
- You feel exhausted even after rest
- Resentment or guilt shows up and you feel bad for feeling it
- Your own health appointments keep getting pushed back
- You have stopped doing things that once recharged you
- You feel irritable, numb, or tearful more often than before
- You cannot remember the last time someone asked how you are doing
Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of them.
What To Expect
How caregiver therapy unfolds
- Your story first. Sessions start with you, your role, and what a typical week actually looks like.
- Untangling the load. You look at what is yours to carry and what could be shared, delegated, or let go.
- Handling hard feelings. You work through guilt, grief, and resentment without judgment.
- Protecting your energy. You build small, realistic habits for rest, boundaries, and support.
Many caregivers find relief simply from having one hour a week that is about them.
Why Telehealth Works
Therapy you can actually fit in
Caregivers often cannot leave home, or cannot leave the person they care for alone. Telehealth lets you attend from a quiet room nearby, or by phone during a break.
Evening and weekend appointments mean you do not have to find coverage just to get support for yourself.
Try free, quick tools like guided breathing and 5-4-3-2-1 grounding on our Therapy Tools page, made for short breaks.
Myths & Facts
Common myths about caregiver stress therapy
MythNeeding help means I am not a good caregiver.
FactCaregiver stress is a natural response to a demanding role. Getting support helps you keep caring well.
MythMy needs can wait until things calm down.
FactFor many caregivers, things do not calm down. Your health and well-being matter now.
MythOnly family caregivers struggle.
FactDirect support professionals and paid caregivers face compassion fatigue and burnout too.
Coverage & Getting Started
What caregiver stress therapy costs and how to start
In network with Partnership HealthPlan
PMHS is a contracted, in-network provider with Partnership HealthPlan of California. Covered sessions for Medi-Cal members usually cost nothing.
If you are a Partnership HealthPlan member, therapy for caregiver stress, anxiety, depression, or grief is usually covered at no cost to you, with no referral. PMHS also accepts Medicare, Medi-Medi, and private pay, with sliding-scale fees available. We verify your coverage before you start.
- Reach out. Submit the short form or call or text (925) 771-0430. We respond within one hour between 8am and 8pm, or by 9am the next morning.
- We verify your coverage. We check your Partnership HealthPlan, Medicare, or other benefits for you.
- Start this week. No waitlist. Your first session is an intake, by secure video or phone from home.
Where We Serve
Caregiver Stress Therapy in all 24 Partnership HealthPlan counties
PMHS is 100% telehealth, so you can start from home in every Partnership HealthPlan county, including these towns.
What PMHS does not provide
- Crisis or emergency services. Call or text 988, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
- Medication management or psychological testing.
- Court-ordered evaluations or forensic assessments.
- In-person appointments. PMHS is 100% telehealth by video or phone.
- Sessions while you are physically outside California.
Common Questions
Caregiver Stress Therapy FAQ
Can I get therapy for myself as a caregiver?
Yes. Your therapy is your own, separate from your family member’s services. If you are a Partnership member, stress, anxiety, depression, and grief tied to caregiving are all reasons to start, and no referral is needed.
Does Medi-Cal cover it?
Partnership HealthPlan covers outpatient therapy, usually at no cost to the member. We verify your benefits before your first appointment.
I barely have time. How does this fit?
Sessions are by video or phone from home, with evening and weekend appointments available, so there is no drive and no waiting room.
Do you also see the person I care for?
PMHS provides therapy for children and adults with IDD as well. Each person’s care is separate.
What is compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion that can come from caring for others over a long period. It often shows up as numbness, irritability, or a reduced ability to feel empathy.
Can I talk about the person I care for in my sessions?
Yes. Your sessions can cover your relationship with them, your worries, and your grief, while keeping the focus on your own well-being.
Related Services
Other therapy PMHS offers by telehealth
Ready to take the next step?
You matter too. Start this week.
Telehealth therapy across all 24 Partnership HealthPlan counties. No referral needed. No waitlist.
Get Started