Ep # 166 - Caregivers Need Care Too

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it’s the quiet loss of joy, the way favorite routines turn flat, and the constant hum of responsibility that never lets up. We sit down with licensed clinical social worker Lisa Medico, founder of Taking Care Therapy Services in Cresskill, NJ, to talk about the people who hold everything together—caregivers, parents, healthcare workers, and high achievers—and why they’re so prone to running on empty.

Lisa breaks down anhedonia in plain language and shows how it sneaks in when life becomes nonstop output. Instead of generic advice to “slow down,” she shares practical steps that fit real schedules: micro breaks between tasks, trading one draining obligation for a true recharge, and choosing boundaries that prevent late-night spirals. We dive into how she blends CBT to challenge unhelpful thoughts with DBT skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. The approach is person-centered and collaborative, with SMART goals that help clients see traction without perfectionism.

You’ll also hear Lisa’s path from hospital social work to private practice, what it’s like to carry hard stories and still celebrate client wins, and how she supports young adults—especially women in their 20s and 30s—through big life transitions. If you’re part of the sandwich generation, pulled between kids and aging parents, Lisa offers ways to ask for help and set limits you can keep. The message is simple and compassionate: small, consistent changes can restore energy, focus, and a sense of meaning.

If the checklist has replaced your joy, this conversation offers tools to get it back. Listen, share with someone who needs it, and subscribe for more stories and strategies from neighbors building healthier lives.

Taking Care Therapy Services, LLC
Lisa Medico
(201) 208-2835
155 County Road, Suite 5
Cresskill, NJ 07626
[email protected]

takingcaretherapy.com