Mindfulness, Boundaries, and Healing: Tools for the Caregiving Journey with Katherine Jansen-Byrkit - Episode 151

In this episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, host Diane Carbo sits down with Katherine Jansen-Byrkit, a therapist, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience. Katherine blends her background in public health and counseling with deep spiritual practice to help caregivers navigate life’s hardest challenges.

Together, they explore the difficult but necessary transition from simply surviving the day-to-day stress of caregiving to actually thriving. Katherine shares personal insights from her own journey of trauma and healing, offering practical tools to help you befriend yourself, sustain joy, and set the boundaries necessary to protect your peace.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now to reclaim your peace of mind.

🌟 Episode Highlights

1. Befriending Yourself & Taming the Inner Critic

Many caregivers live with a harsh inner critic that constantly judges their performance. Katherine suggests starting every day with a moment of mindfulness—not just to quiet the mind, but to take a stance of "loving non-judgment" toward yourself. This act of befriending yourself creates a secure attachment within, helping you handle difficult emotions without self-abandonment.

2. The Truth About Guilt vs. Shame

Guilt is the number one emotion that controls caregivers, often used as a weapon by family members. Katherine explains the vital difference between shame (feeling like a "bad person") and guilt (regret over an action). She poses a powerful question to ask when you feel guilty: "Name what you did wrong." If you set a boundary to stay healthy, you didn't do anything wrong—therefore, the guilt is misplaced.

3. The Caregiver Contract 📝

Diane introduces the concept of a Family Caregiver Contract. This involves viewing caregiving as a job that includes designated time off, vacations, and clear limits on what you can and cannot do (e.g., intimate care or managing aggression). Putting this in writing helps validate your need for breaks and sets realistic expectations for siblings and extended family.

4. Overcoming "Fierce Independence"

We often view independence as a badge of honor, but Katherine argues that "fierce independence" can actually be a trauma response. Humans are wired for connection. Asking for help is not shameful; it is brave and wise. Moving from independence to interdependence is key to preventing burnout.

5. Practical Self-Care: Nature & Movement 🌲

Self-care isn't just about massages. It's about non-negotiable movement and connecting with the world outside the sickroom. Diane and Katherine discuss the healing power of simply stepping outside to feel the sun or the cold air. Whether it's "Nia" dance classes online or just sticking your head out the door, reconnecting with your body and nature is essential for regulating your nervous system.

📋 Episode Outline

• Welcome and Introduction: Meet Katherine Jansen-Byrkit, therapist and author.
• Katherine’s Journey: Merging public health, counseling, and spiritual calling.
• Morning Rituals: Starting the day with loving non-judgment to silence the inner critic.
• Reframing Guilt: Understanding the difference between guilt and shame to stop self-sabotage.
• The Caregiver Contract: Why you need to treat caregiving like a job with defined boundaries.
• Making Hard Decisions: Navigating the transition to assisted living without feeling like a failure.
• The Cost of Stress: Discussing the statistic that 63% of caregivers fall ill or pass away before their care recipient.
• Fierce Independence vs. Interdependence: Why asking for help is an act of courage, not weakness.
• Healing Habits: The importance of non-negotiable movement and connecting with nature.

💬 Quotes to Remember

"Befriending ourselves is the beginning of undoing aloneness." — Katherine Jansen-Byrkit

"I really believe every caregiver has to look at their caring for their loved ones as a job. And in that role as a job, they have time off, they have vacations." — Diane Carbo

"Asking for help is brave. Asking for help is wise. Asking for help is not shameful." — Katherine Jansen-Byrkit

🔗 Resources & Links

• Guest Facebook: Harbor Glow Publishing– Follow Katherine on social media.

Harbor-glow-holistic -

Harbor Glow publishes transformational books, including topics on wakefulness, inspiration, and awakened self.

❤️ Did this episode speak to you? Please take a moment to like, share, or comment. Every click helps us reach more caregivers who need encouragement, resources, and hope. You are the most important part of the caregiving equation—without you, it all falls apart. You are worth it!