For spouses and partners of someone living with dementia

Dementia changed your life too.

Grieving the Diagnosis

Maybe you’re making decisions you used to make together. Maybe you miss having someone to lean on. Or you’re doing everything that needs to be done and wondering why you don’t feel much like yourself anymore.

There is a lot to carry. You need somewhere to talk about what this has been like for you, with people who understand and guidance to help you think it through.

Grieving the Diagnosis is ongoing, guided emotional support for spouses and partners of someone living with dementia. Your regular group meets online for 90 minutes each week, with no more than eight members, making room for your experience as things keep changing.

Coastal waves and greenery under soft light
Ongoing guided supportA place to be known.Your weekly guided group · No more than eight members

When reassurance isn’t enough

Sometimes you need more than someone telling you you’re doing your best.

You may know they can’t help it and still feel frustrated. You may need a break and feel guilty taking one. You may miss the way you used to be together, or wish you could still ask their advice about a decision that is now yours to make.

Sometimes you’re so busy responding to what needs to happen that there isn’t much room to notice what has happened to you. Then you lose patience, feel resentful, or struggle with one more decision, and wonder why you aren’t handling it better.

I help you slow down enough to look at the whole experience: what has changed, what you’re feeling, what you’re carrying, and what you realistically have the time and energy for. When you can see more of that picture, your reactions may begin to make more sense.

How I help

What has this actually been like for you?

Each week, I begin with a focus that helps us look at one part of the experience. We might talk about what you miss as your relationship changes, why guilt keeps showing up, or the difference between what you can do and what you actually have capacity for.

From there, we talk about what is happening in your life. Your experience may be different from someone else’s. There is room for that, and for what you need to bring that day.

If you feel guilty about needing time to yourself, we can look at what you’ve been carrying, what you need, and what you realistically have capacity for that day. Loving your partner and needing a break can both be true. Guilt is part of the picture, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing you listen to.

If a conversation leaves you sad, we can look at what you miss. It may be their advice, the back-and-forth, or the feeling of being understood without having to explain. Naming that loss can help you understand why the moment affected you.

If you keep questioning a decision, we can look at what was true when you made it, what you needed, and whether something has changed—or whether the choice has become hard to sit with.

You don’t have to arrive with all of that figured out. I help you understand your experience more clearly and consider what you need from here.

A regular group that gets to know you

You have somewhere to return to.

Your regular group has no more than eight members. As you get to know one another, you can talk about things without having to explain your whole situation each time.

You can come back to a difficult conversation, share what happened next, or ask for support with something new. You also hear from other spouses and partners whose experiences may help you understand your own.

Over time, you may begin to notice your limit before saying yes, understand why something hurt, or feel guilty and still consider the rest of the picture. A hard moment may become something you can look at and understand, rather than another reason to judge yourself.

You keep your place in your regular group while you’re a member.

Liz Brown, LCSW
Liz BrownYour group facilitator

The person you’ll meet

Hi, I’m Liz.

I’m a clinically trained social worker with more than 20 years of experience supporting people through grief, loss, and major life changes.

When Alzheimer’s entered my husband’s family, my husband became the person people called. Alongside the decisions and responsibilities, his relationship with his dad was changing. Our lives were changing too.

There was no single moment when someone said, “This is happening to you too.” But it was. That reality shapes the way I work today.

I believe people need room to be honest about what dementia is doing to them. I’m interested in helping you understand what is happening inside you, so you can move through hard moments with more clarity, steadiness, and trust in yourself.

There can be love and anger. Relief and guilt. Connection and distance. Sometimes all of those things exist at once. We can make room for that without expecting you to put a positive spin on it.

What being a member looks like

Regular support, without another thing to keep up with.

Your primary group meets online for 90 minutes each week. You have a regular meeting time, a reserved place, and consistent guidance from me.

You can share, ask questions, or listen while you get comfortable. Cameras are optional. You don’t need to prepare anything before coming.

When you need another conversation during the week, an additional 60-minute Thursday open support session is included.

You can also connect in our private community between sessions and reach me there or by email.

Lessons and practical tools are available when you want to explore something further. Emails will help you find them, but there is no required homework or lesson sequence to keep up with.

This is ongoing support. You can stay with your regular group as you continue your membership, with people who are getting to know you and your situation.

Your membership

A place for your experience.
Support you can return to.

Begin with two months of regular support, with time to get to know the group and make room for your own experience.

Grieving the Diagnosis

Ongoing guided emotional support

$200per month

Initial two-month commitment: $400 total.
Paid as two monthly payments of $200. First payment is due at enrollment.

Your membership includes your weekly 90-minute guided group, the additional 60-minute open support session, private community, and access to member lessons, tools, and available replays.

After your first two months, you can keep receiving support in your regular group.

After the initial two months, membership renews automatically at $200 per month. Email Liz before your next billing date to stop renewal.

The first group begins the week of January 4, 2027. The meeting day and time are still being finalized. Email or call me to express interest, and I’ll share the schedule before you decide whether to join. After the group begins, new members can join during the first week of each month, as space allows.

Questions before joining

What would you like to know?

You’re welcome to email or call me with questions about the group.

Email Liz
Who is this group for?

Spouses and partners of someone living with dementia who want support with the emotional side of the experience. You may be carrying grief, guilt, loneliness, changing responsibilities, or decisions you never expected to make. You don’t need to have the right words before joining.

How is this different from a free support group?

Free support groups can be valuable. Here, you have a reserved place in a small weekly group that I personally facilitate. I introduce a focus and help you connect it to your own situation, with attention to what you’re feeling, what makes a moment difficult, and what you might need. You can ask about the format before deciding.

What if I don’t have time for everything?

Your regular 90-minute group is your primary place for support. The additional session, community, and resources are available when helpful. You aren’t expected to attend both sessions or use every resource.

Does the diagnosis need to be recent?

No. Despite the name, Grieving the Diagnosis isn’t only for the beginning. Changes, grief, uncertainty, and difficult decisions can continue throughout the experience.

What if my partner lives in a care setting?

You’re welcome here. You don’t need to provide daily hands-on care to be deeply affected by changes in your relationship or to need support with the decisions and feelings that come with them.

Do I need to share straight away?

No. You can take time to get comfortable. You can listen, ask a question, or share when you feel ready. Cameras are optional. We’ll review the group’s privacy and recording arrangements before you join.

What if I miss a session?

You can use available replays and the private community between meetings. The additional Thursday session is also there when you need it. If your circumstances change, contact me so we can discuss what you need.

Why begin with two months?

It takes time to get to know people and feel comfortable in a group. The initial commitment gives you time to experience the support and begin building those relationships. Afterward, you can continue in your regular group month to month.

When can I start?

The first group begins the week of January 4, 2027. The meeting day and time are still being finalized. Email or call me to express interest, and I’ll share the schedule before you decide whether to join. After the group begins, new members can join during the first week of each month, as space allows.

Is this therapy?

No. Although I’m a licensed clinical social worker, Grieving the Diagnosis provides emotional support and education. Participation does not establish a therapist-client relationship or replace therapy, medical care, or crisis support.

A place to begin

You are part of this story too.

If you’ve been wondering where there is room for your experience in all of this, you’re welcome to get in touch. Tell me a little about what you’re looking for, or start with a question about the group.

I’ll answer your questions and share the schedule and available places before you decide.

Reaching out does not enroll you.

Let’s talk about the support you need.

Email or call me to ask about joining Grieving the Diagnosis.

Email Liz

Or call me at

717-282-1428

If I’m unable to answer, leave your name, phone number, and a good time to reach you. Please keep detailed personal or medical information out of your initial message.