In this episode of The Mindful Haven Podcast, host Lori Griffith sits down with therapist & single adoptive mom Diana Gelfand for a deeply personal conversation about trauma, resilience, and what really happens to parents caring for medically complex children.

Diana isn’t just a licensed therapist, she’s a warrior mom with lived experience. After adopting three children from the foster care system, all with significant medical needs, she found herself navigating the overwhelming realities of caregiving, identity loss, emotional burnout, and chronic grief. Today, she’s the founder of DLG Therapy, a virtual counseling practice created specifically for parents like her.

Lori and Diana unpack what happens after the diagnosis, when the world moves on but the trauma lingers. From the PTSD many parents silently carry, to the isolation, guilt, and implosion of family systems - they explore why mental health support for caregivers is urgently needed, and what practical steps can help.

This episode is a must-listen for any parent, caregiver, or supporter who has ever felt invisible in the fight to keep their family afloat. It's honest, validating, and packed with practical wisdom from someone who's lived it.

To connect with our guest, Diana Gelfand:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dlgtherapy

Website: https://www.dlgtherapy.com

To connect with our host, Lori Griffith:

Email: lori@chasinadream.org

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chasinadreamfoundation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasinadreamfoundation

To connect with our podcast producers or for media inquiries:

Email: admin@podplusstudios.com

ABOUT: Chasin A Dream Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Jupiter, FL and supporting families across South Florida. Founded by Lori Griffith, Chasin A Dream is dedicated to providing critical resources, including financial help, emotional and mental health support, and community programs for children battling life-threatening illnesses, disabilities, and trauma.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: If this episode helped you or someone you know, please leave a positive review, share it, and help us grow The Mindful Haven Podcast; where mental health, advocacy, and real support come together.

To make a donation to Mindful Haven and Chasin A Dream, visit: https://www.chasinadream.org

The Mindful Haven Podcast is produced by Hype Boss and PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida. Learn more: https://www.podplusstudios.com

KEYWORDS: mindful haven, chasin a dream, family mental health, caregiver support, pediatric illness, trauma healing, financial assistance for families, caregiver burnout, childhood disability, warrior families, advocacy, nonprofit podcast, donate today, post-traumatic growth, resilience