Therapy for Parents of Special Needs and Medically Complex Children in Chicago and Illinois
The Experience of Being a Special Needs Parent
Parenting is non-stop. You deserve to have your needs met too.
It never feels calm. Not in your body, not in your home, not in the moments that are supposed to be restful. There is always something that needs your full attention.
Your nervous system is fried. You cannot relax. And no one around you really gets it. You are worrying about every aspect of your child's health and life, constantly monitoring while also keeping everything else from falling apart.
You are constantly researching: Doctors, therapists, specialists, experts. You are trying to find every possible support for your child. They need so much, and you refuse to let them fall through the cracks. You are trying to meet the needs of a child who requires more. And at the same time, your other kids are watching and needing you too. You are doing everything for everyone. All the time.
And somewhere in the middle of all of that, you disappeared. You still want to matter. You feel guilty for even wanting that. But it is there and it is real.
You want to feel like yourself again.
THAT PERSON IS STILL THERE!
Underneath the exhaustion, the guilt, the endless to-do lists and appointment reminders and middle-of-the-night worries, there is still a person who wants AND deserves more than survival.
Wanting that is not selfishness. It is the most honest thing about you right now.
***If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.***
Caregiver Burnout Is Real
If you are feeling overwhelmed by all that is required to care for child with special needs, you aren’t alone. In fact, the chronic stress associated with caregiving for children with special needs and kids who are medically fragile are well document. Studies show that caregivers have increased chances of experiencing:
anxiety
depression
insomina
fatigue
martial and relationship problems
medical problems
All of these very real stressors make self-care even more important for parents in caregiving roles.
(Source: Self-Care Tips for Parents to Prevent Burnout - Child Mind Institute)
Meet Sarah Schufreider, LCSW
Sarah Schufreider, LCSW working with parents with special needs children in the Chicago area and Illinios
I'm Sarah Schufreider, LCSW (IL License # 149016639, and I work with parents of special needs and medically fragile children in Chicago who are burned out, exhausted, and quietly wondering if they will ever feel like themselves again.
This work is personal to me. Not just professionally, but in the way that only lived experience can make something truly personal. I am a parent to multiple special needs and medically fragile children. I have sat in those waiting rooms. I have navigated hospitalizations, difficult treatment decisions, and IEP meetings where you have to fight for everything your child deserves. I know what it is like to carry all of that while also trying to hold your family together and still show up as a whole person.
After over 17 years in the field, I have worked with people from many different walks of life. But, nothing professionally has prepared me for how profoundly my own parenting journey has shaped the way I do this work. I join you not as an outside observer, but as a fellow parent on the same road.
Sessions Tailored To Unique Needs of Parents with Children with Special Needs and Who Are Medically Complex
Because life with children is unpredictable, I offer virtual sessions throughout Illinois. This means you can get consistent support that meets your need to attend your kid’s medical appointments, that understands your unpredictable schedule, and recognized the reality that leaving the house may not be possible with a medically compromised child.
I know your plate is already full. I know the last thing you need is someone handing you more homework or offering advice that sounds good in theory but doesn’t work in real life. Instead, I offer a space where we name and bear witness to how hard this actually is. From there, we can gently begin realistically work on bringing you back into the picture.
Many clients find that simply being seen, without having to explain or justify the weight of their daily life, is itself a turning point. By pulling from a variety of therapeutic interventions including trauma-informed care, behavioral activation, and somatic work, I help clients feel less alone, more grounded, and better able to access small moments of care for themselves without the guilt that usually follows.
Your child has a team. Now it’s time to build one for you!
What Parents Are Saying
“As a parent of a medically complex child who struggles with ADHD, anxiety, and dyslexia, I highly recommend Sarah for her compassionate and thoughtful approach. She truly listens to your concerns and offers practical strategies and fresh perspectives that help you navigate challenges and find the best path forward.”
— Jessica, Mother of 2
Reach Out To Get Support for Your Special Needs and Medically Complex Parenting Journey
You have been holding so much for so long. You do not have to figure out how to feel like yourself again alone. If any part of this felt like it was written for you, I would love to connect.
Schedule your free 15- minute phone consultation for therapy supporting parents of special needs and medically complex children in Chicago and greater Illinois.
Sarah Schufreider, Menopause Mental Health Level 1 Certified Therapist
My other specialties include mid-life issues such as menopause, postpartum depression, anxiety, SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), and grief.
Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy for Parents of Special Needs Kids in Chicago
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Not unless you want to. This therapy is focused on you, not on becoming a better caregiver or solving your child's challenges. You are welcome to share as much or as little context as feels right. The goal is to help you reconnect with yourself, and that does not require a detailed medical history.
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Constant vigilance, medical appointments, advocacy, and broken sleep keep your nervous system on high alert. That kind of long-term stress is common among caregivers and is not a personal failing. Therapy gives you a place to process it and rest.
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Yes. Many parents grieve the future they pictured while still loving their child fiercely. Both can be true at once. Therapy can help you make room for the grief without guilt.
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Yes. Therapy can help you spot burnout early, set boundaries, and build realistic ways to recover while you keep caregiving. The work centers on your wellbeing as the parent.
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Yes. Six Hearts Counseling is fully virtual, so you can meet from home anywhere in Illinois. That helps when leaving the house means arranging childcare, nursing, or medical care.
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Your child’s therapy supports their development. Your sessions are only for you, and the focus is your stress, relationships, and sense of self. You won’t be coached on parenting or on solving your child’s challenges.
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Yes. Sarah Schufreider, LCSW, offers online therapy for parents of special needs and medically complex children in Chicago and across Illinois. Sessions focus on your stress, grief, and exhaustion as a caregiver, not on your child’s treatment.
Therapy for Parents of Special Needs Kids in Chicago.
You have been holding everything. Let someone hold space for you.
Page Last Updated: October 21, 2026