Integrative Resources for the Grief Journey
As a grief therapist and social work professor, I believe that healing happens when we bring our loss out of the shadows and into the light of community. This blog offers therapeutic insights, evidence-based frameworks like the Dual Process Model, and personal reflections on navigating life after loss. Whether you are seeking support for suicide loss, terminal illness, or the "quiet" grief of everyday milestones, you’ll find a supportive container here.
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Grief After a Sudden Death: When You Didn't Have Time to Prepare
When someone dies suddenly, there may be no time to prepare, say goodbye, or adjust to the reality of the loss. Grief after a sudden death can bring shock, guilt, anger, disbelief, and intrusive thoughts. Learn why sudden loss can feel different and when additional support may help.
Can You Grieve a Loss That Didn't Involve Death? Understanding Non-Death Loss
Grief isn't limited to death. Divorce, estrangement, career changes, health changes, and the loss of an imagined future can all bring real grief. Learn why non-death losses deserve to be acknowledged and supported.
Why Am I So Angry After Someone Died? Understanding Anger in Grief
Why am I so angry after someone died? Learn why anger is a common part of grief, who we may feel angry toward, and how to make space for anger after loss.
Questions to Ask a Grief Therapist Before You Book
Not sure how to tell if a grief therapist is the right fit? Here are the questions worth asking before you book, and what to listen for in the answers.
Why Do I Feel Guilty After Someone Dies?
After someone dies, it's common to replay conversations, question decisions, and wonder if you could have done something differently. If you're carrying guilt after a loss, you're not alone. Learn why guilt is such a common part of grief, how to distinguish regret from responsibility, and why feeling guilty isn't the same as being responsible.
What to Expect in Grief Therapy After an Overdose Death
Wondering what grief therapy actually looks like after losing someone to overdose? Here's what to expect in the first sessions, and why this kind of loss deserves specialized care.
Grief Brain: Why You Can't Think Clearly After a Loss
Have you been feeling forgetful, distracted, or mentally foggy since your loss? Many people experience what they call “grief brain”: difficulty concentrating, remembering things, making decisions, and managing everyday tasks. Learn why grief can affect the way you think and why a foggy mind doesn't mean you're failing.
Why Grief Feels So Physical: Understanding the Physical Symptoms of Grief
Grief doesn't only affect your emotions; it can affect your body, too. Exhaustion, sleep changes, appetite changes, headaches, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating are all experiences many people encounter after a loss. Learn why grief can feel so physical and how to care for yourself while your body adjusts to a world that has changed.
Why Do I Feel Like I'm Back at the Beginning of My Grief?
Have you ever thought your grief was getting better, only to feel overwhelmed all over again? Many people worry they're "back at the beginning" after a difficult day, but grief doesn't follow a straight path. Learn why grief can feel unpredictable, and why those painful moments don't mean you've lost the progress you've made.
The Silence After the Sympathy Cards: When Friends Stop Checking In After a Loss
Have you ever noticed that the support after a loss slowly begins to fade? Many grieving people experience a second loss when friends stop checking in; not because they don't care, but because they don't know what to say. Learn why this happens, why it hurts so deeply, and how to navigate the loneliness that often follows.
Why Grief Feels Lonely Even When You’re Surrounded by People
Have you ever felt completely alone in your grief even while surrounded by people who care about you? Emotional loneliness is one of the most common yet least talked about parts of grief. Learn why it happens and how finding the right support can help you feel less alone.
The Unspoken Bond: Navigating the Silence of Father’s Day Grief
Father’s Day often carries a quiet, unspoken weight for those in grief. Whether you are missing a father’s steady presence or honoring the memory of a child, let’s explore how to navigate the silence of this day with compassion, gentleness, and the 'Dual Process' of grief.
Bracing for the Day: Navigating the Week Before Father’s Day
The lead-up to Father’s Day often brings a unique pressure to be 'the rock.' If you are grieving a father or a child, let's explore how to navigate the anticipatory grief of this week and redefine what strength really looks like.
The Summer Slump: Why Summer Can Feel So Difficult for Grievers
While society celebrates the 'best summer ever,' grievers often face a unique challenge: the Summer Slump. Discover why the contrast of summer makes loss feel louder and how to navigate the social pressure of the season.
Chasing the Light: Finding Connection in the Night Sky
Six years after a trip to Finland where the sky stayed dark, a journey to Alaska brought a long-awaited connection. Explore how nature helps us maintain 'Continuing Bonds' with those we’ve lost to ALS and other terminal illnesses.
Beyond the Holiday: Memorial Day as a Collective Mirror for Grief
Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend; it’s a rare moment where society collectively acknowledges the weight of loss. Explore how this holiday serves as a mirror for our grief and why community validation is vital for healing.
Grief After Suicide Loss: Navigating the Complex "Why"
Losing someone to suicide often brings a thousand unanswered questions that replay in a relentless loop. If you find yourself searching for a "why" that feels out of reach, you aren't doing grief wrong; you are navigating one of life’s most complex experiences. Let’s explore why this loss feels so heavy and how to find a different kind of language for your pain.
Holding Both: Love and Loss This Mother’s Day
Today is a day of complicated intersections; where deep love meets profound absence. To the bereaved mothers and the children missing their moms: your grief is a testament to your love. Explore gentle ways to honor your loss and find peace on this difficult day.
The Shadow on the Calendar: Navigating the Week Before Mother’s Day
As Mother’s Day approaches, the "anticipation" of the day can often feel heavier than the day itself. Whether you are grieving a child or missing your own mother, let’s talk about how to navigate the week leading up to the holiday with gentleness and boundaries.
Grief After Overdose: Why It Can Feel So Complicated
Grief after overdose or substance use can feel overwhelming and isolating. Learn why this type of loss often carries complex emotions and how support can help.