Counseling Services

Lorraine E. Cummings, LCSW, C-ASWCM

Sometimes, when one is caring for a person who is disabled and/or declining as they age, it stirs up feelings that are more than one can bear.

Other times, life just gets too hectic and overwhelming, and you need a sounding board for everything swirling around in your head.

I specialize in offering counseling services to those involved in caring for aging loved ones or adults with disabilities, and the mental and emotional health challenges that often face caregivers and adult children.

As a 28+ year Medicare Provider in multiple regions of the US, I am available for virtual psychotherapy for the qualified participant (care partners in particular, as well as the disabled loved one, whichever is more in-need) for short-term or long-term issues related to adjustments to aging and one’s changing circumstances, caregiving challenges, grief and loss, and changes in the relationships between care recipient and care partners during times of decline. Ask for more detailed information, as my background is unique among local Aging Life Care® Managers to offer this additional service under one’s Medicare benefits.

Philosophy of Care

Since starting her work as an intern, and running a support group for foster grandparents back in 1991, Lorraine has always had experienced older adult mentors in her life’s career. Through her ‘calling’ into Social Work, she has found much value in sharing and working through concerns as collaborators.

Given that Lorraine has provided practical services in the Care Management side of her business until recently, she is an expert on older adult services and care providers. She can help identify best practices, common errors, and the pitfalls of costly mistakes when engaging services or finding providers.

She also has deep compassion for the journey, as she has had personal experience in many of these areas while orchestrating her own aging mother’s care, as well as learning from many clients who she has shared in their experiences.

Lorraine comes from a long line of healers. She feels her departed paternal grandmother was a significant influence, as she was a practicing Psychologist in the LA County Juvenile Justice system until her retirement. Lorraine spent many special hours with her in her formative years, finding in her grandmother a valuable sounding board, a wise mentor, and an enlightening teacher.

Lorraine’s experiences and unique perspective has convinced her that individual time with a counselor, who has lots of experience in life’s events and passages, can be very fruitful as a guide along a path that may seem to be tangled and twisted ahead.

FEES

Counseling services are low-cost, because Lorraine is a Medicare Provider. For anyone with regular (unencumbered) Medicare, along with a supplemental insurance plan that has mental health benefits, there is usually no additional charge (unless it has a copay requirement).

For clients without Medicare, or for those in a Medicare HMO, Lorraine can charge a modest fee, utilizing a sliding scale when needed.