“Never say never in your journey.” - Eleni Paris
Natalie and JJ sit down with Eleni Paris, a licensed therapist and devoted mom, as she shares her deeply personal journey raising her daughter Sophia, who has cognitive and speech impairments.
Eleni opens up about navigating cultural expectations, emotional burnout, and the realities of parenting a child with developmental delays—all while juggling her professional identity. From the search for a diagnosis to managing anxiety in public spaces, she speaks candidly about grief, joy, faith, and the power of vulnerability.
If you're a caregiver, a parent of a child with special needs, or simply looking for real talk about love, resilience, and finding purpose through challenges—this one’s for you.
🧠 Topics Covered:
- The emotional highs and lows of caregiving
- Cultural impacts on care in the Greek-American community
- Why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival
- Faith, family, and building a support system
- Coping with the evolving needs of a child with disabilities
Eleni Paris is a licensed marriage and family therapist, proud Greek-American, and devoted mother of two daughters—one of whom is cognitively disabled and speech impaired. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Eleni holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Virginia Tech. She grew up surrounded by a vibrant “Big Fat Greek” family culture while also enjoying the rhythms of a classic American upbringing—a blend she considers a true blessing.
With over 27 years of marriage and a lifetime of caregiving experience, Eleni brings deep empathy and lived wisdom to her therapy practice. Her personal journey, particularly in raising a daughter with complex and undiagnosed needs, has shaped her approach to supporting families, couples, and fellow caregivers. Today, Eleni runs a thriving online practice, where she combines clinical expertise with heartfelt understanding to help others navigate life’s most personal challenges.
Social Media:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eleniparislmftllc
Website: www.eleniparislmft.com
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THANK YOU to SPONSOR: CareScout
** Caregiver Action Network Caregiver Help Desk offers free support to family caregivers via phone, chat, or email Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Eastern. Get answers, resources, support group info, or a listening ear. Visit
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