Family & Friends
When someone you care about is struggling, it’s easy to feel helpless or unsure of how to support them. Whether it’s a loved one facing trauma, stress, or behavioral challenges, your role is essential—but it can also be overwhelming. Learn how to foster connection, set boundaries, and provide meaningful support while protecting your own well-being. You’re not alone, and there are tools to help you navigate this journey.
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Guide: "Supporting a Loved One Through Trauma" – Practical advice.
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Checklist: "Signs of Stress and Burnout in Caregivers" – For self-awareness.
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Journal Prompts: "Reflecting on Your Role as a Supporter" – For clarity and boundaries.
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Infographic: How Trauma Shapes Behavior – To better understand loved ones.
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Free Download: "5 Phrases to Support Without Overstepping" – Communication tips.
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Case Study: Supporting a Loved One with Cognitive Challenges – Real-world examples.
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Article: "Balancing Caregiving and Self-Care" – Strategies to avoid burnout.
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Resource Guide: Local and Online Support Groups – Connection opportunities.
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Video: "How to Talk to Someone Who's Struggling" – Communication techniques.
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Meditation Audio: "Letting Go of Guilt as a Caregiver" – A guided exercise.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Resources – Free guides for caregivers.
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Caregiver Support Groups – Share links to online groups like those on Facebook or Meetup.
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Articles on Supporting Loved Ones – Examples: “How to Help a Trauma Survivor” (Psychology Today).
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Stress Management Tools for Caregivers – Many nonprofits provide free resources.
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Podcasts for Caregivers – Examples: The Caregiver’s Toolbox.
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Printable Affirmations for Caregivers – Found on Pinterest.
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Family Counseling Resources – Search for free guides from counseling centers.
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Books for Family Support – Example: “The Compassionate Friends”.
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Infographics on Trauma Effects – Canva or Pinterest have caregiver-specific designs.
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Videos on Supporting Trauma Survivors – Free content on YouTube.
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Think
Cognitive
Understanding, retaining
and using information.
Cognition
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Cognitive skills are needed to process information. In order to learn, retain and use our knowledge, we need to be able to use the following skills effectively:
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Attend to incoming information (sustained, selective and divided attention).
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Quickly process details (processing speed).
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Remember what we hear, see or read (working, short-term and long-term memory).
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Decide what to do with the information (reasoning and problem solving skills).
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More info
Talk
Linguistic
Using language to communicate.
Linguistics
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Linguistics is the study of language. In order to communicate effectively we need to have a good command of these language skills:
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Form: the sounds, words, and sentences (language) we use to convey information (phonology, morphology and syntax).
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Content: putting sounds, words, and sentences together in a way that has meaning (semantics).
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Use: following the socially driven rules to utilize language for a purpose (pragmatics).
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More info​
Do
Function
Planning, initiating and completing tasks.
Executive Functions
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Executive functions are higher level cognitive functions that continue to develop into early
adulthood. These skills are essential to:
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Organize/Set Goals
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Plan/Prioritize
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Initiate/Implement
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Following through
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Evaluate/Make changes
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Self-monitor
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Control emotions
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More info
Putting It All Together
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Successful functioning is dependent on effective communication.
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Effective communication relies on fluid cognition.
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Cognitive stress makes thinking and reasoning more difficult.
