Grief Digest Articles

My grief support system is current. Yes ___ No ___It includes family, friends, colleagues, spiritual/religious support. Yes ___ No ___There are people of varying ages in my support system. Yes ___ No ___Many of these people are role models. Yes ___ No ___I have similar interests to the people in my support system. Yes ___ No ___The people in my support system can act quickly. Yes ___ No ___Some people in my support system live close by. Yes ___ No ___I’ve explored back-up resources for my …

I was sitting at my son’s hockey game when I got a text from a client I hadn’t seen in a while. It didn’t take me long to figure out she might be in trouble. I said to her directly, “It sounds like you might be feeling suicidal.” Her response was, “Not tonight.” That indicated to me she was immediately safe, but has been at risk recently. We developed a plan for connection.Those are moments that I sometimes feel gripped with fear, wondering who in their right mind would be a counselor for a livi …

Some people will never understand the pain of losing a beloved pet. For those who feel the emotional depths of this type of loss, it can be confusing and frustrating to interact with people who for a variety of reasons, don’t get it. When I experienced pet death through natural causes or euthanasia, it was an emotionally difficult time because my pets are my children. I learned about pet grief through my own experiences and work as a psychotherapist, which I will share in this article.A disenfra …

Over my varied nursing career that has spanned 39 years; I often describe the topic of death and grief as a professional companion of mine. It has walked with me while I was at countless bedsides of those who have died and for the past 15 years as I have facilitated a grief support group and published a monthly grief newsletter. It has been a sacred privilege to be a fellow companion with those who have started on the journey called grief and for those that continue on this journey.On a personal …

They say when you lose someone that it creates a hole in your heart, but I think it is more like a splintering in your soul. Prior to the first time you lose a loved one, your soul is a smooth path. There are twists and turns, ups and downs. You carry on in that vulnerable optimism that we associate with youth. The world is full of opportunity. Then a fracture occurs. Sometimes you lose someone quickly. There is no reason for this type of loss. A life cut short. It is impossible to make …