Podcasts about The Dougy Center

When someone dies, our relationship with them doesn't just disappear. Sometimes the relationship changes in ways we never expected, allowing us to feel closer to them than we did when they were alive. This can leave us learning to grieve not just for what we had, but for what never got the chance to have with them. In this episode we talk with Never Faull about grieving for their father, who died in 2018 from cirrhosis of the liver. Nev shares how their relationship with their father was distant during his life and how they've found ways to create a deeper connection with him after his death. We also discuss what it was like for Nev, who came out as trans six months after their dad dies, to navigate grieving while also celebrating a new unfolding in their identity.  Topics we discuss: Navigating grief in complex parent-child relationships The impact of undiagnosed autism on family connections Creating meaning and relationship after death The symbols and rituals that help Nev feel a connection with their dad's presence Queer and trans grief resources Never Faull is a queer and trans, disabled, autistic BIPOC writer, photographer, facilitator, and grief tender based in Portland. they explore the intersections of memory, identity, and mourning in their creative work. their current project, The Dead Dad Camera Club, started with the camera their dad left behind, and has become a way to navigate grief through photos and storytelling.  Resources Mentioned The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Queer Grief Club run by Jamie Thrower  Dead Dad Camera Club newsletter  Grief Out Loud contact: griefoutloud@dougy.org The Dougy Center website: dougy.org This episode is the first in our 2025 three-part series highlighting the voices of communities who have historically been underrepresented in the grief world. The series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and The New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy for children and teens who are grieving.

Grief often arrives without warning and changes everything we thought we knew about ourselves, our families, and the world around us. In this episode, we talk with Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague about their new book, When Grief Comes Home, a resource created from years of both personal loss and professional experience supporting families who are grieving. Erin, founding Executive Director of Jessica's House in Central California, and Colleen, Program Director, discuss how they came to write this book that blends memoir, practical tools, and reflective questions.  We discuss: Erin's personal experience with grief including the death of her husband when their children were just 3 and 5 years old, her mother from suicide, and her son Carter, who died in an accident The unique impact of sudden loss  The power of rituals and expressive activities  What teens really need when they are grieving Strategies for returning to school and work Activites and discussion starters parents and caregivers can use to connect with their kids Learning to trust yourself in grief Making space for the dark parts of grief while also staying open to moments of light and joy Resources & Mentions:  When Grief Comes Home: A Guide For Living Through Loss While Supporting Your Child, by Erin and Colleen – [available wherever you get your books]  Jessica's House: https://jessicashouse.org/  Dougy Center: https://www.dougy.org/ 

What does it mean to lose your anchor people? In a short period of time, Renée Watson experienced the death of her mother, her mentor Nikki Giovanni, and her childhood friend, Charnetta. Renée shares how these experiences influenced her latest novel for young readers, All the Blues in the Sky, which follows 13-year-old Sage as she navigates grief after the death of her best friend. Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose recent book All the Blues in the Sky explores grief through the eyes of a young person. Her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Her children's picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. Many of her books are inspired by her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the Pacific Northwest. We Discuss Experiencing multiple significant losses in a short period of time  The impact of losing "anchor people" in one's life  How Renée's mentor and friend, Nikki Giovanni, supported her as she grieved for her mother  The spectrum of emotions that come with grief  Why it's important to acknowledge grief rather than avoid it  What Renée learned about grief from writing her main character, Sage.   The comparison of sudden loss versus anticipated loss  Finding tangible reminders of love after someone dies  Connect with Renée Watson  Website: RenéeWatson.net  About Dougy Center  Grief Out Loud is a production of Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children and Families in Portland, Oregon. For more resources, visit dougy.org or email griefoutloud@dougy.org. 

What does it mean to live with an incurable illness while navigating grief, time, and the complexity of human connection? In this episode of Grief Out Loud, we sit down with Caroline Catlin—writer, artist, and grief care worker—to explore her experience of living with an incurable brain cancer diagnosis.  Caroline shares how her relationship with cancer has evolved over the past six years, from the early days of fighting for a diagnosis to the ongoing reality of regular scans and the uncertainty of what's next. She speaks candidly about anticipatory grief, the way mortality shapes her daily life, and how her work in end-of-life photography and peer grief support informs her perspective on loss.  We also discuss:  The impact of a life-altering diagnosis on friendships and relationships  How people can better support those living with illness  The intersection of living with illness and supporting grieving children  The unique grief of knowing time is limited—and learning to live within it  Caroline also shares about her grief writing workshops, her creative process, and how gardening has become a grounding practice for her.  Connect with Caroline:  Website: carolinecatlin.com  Instagram: @mybodyofwater  Grief writing workshops: Sliding scale, open to all  For more resources and to connect with Grief Out Loud, visit Dougy Center. 

In this episode Bryan Jung talks about the experience of being only nine years old when his father, a prominent lawyer in the Korean community, was tragically shot by another lawyer. Fifteen months later and just nine days before Bryan's 11th birthday, his father died. Bryan reflects on the impact of his father's death, the strength of his family, and how he continues to honor his dad's legacy. He shares how his grief evolved over time, the role of community support, and the lessons he's carried into his own life. Bryan also discusses founding This Is Why, an online platform that provides space for individuals who lost a parent as a child or teen to share their stories and find connection.  We Discuss:  Bryan's memories of his father and the impact of his death on their family  Navigating life after his father's shooting and the challenges of childhood grief  The role of community support and the strength of his mother in keeping the family together  How volunteering at Camp Erin deepened his understanding of grief and inspired him to create This Is Why  The power of storytelling in grief and his commitment to continuing his father's legacy  Forgiveness and personal growth in the aftermath of tragedy  How grief anniversaries and milestones continue to shape his journey  Resources & Links:  Learn more about This Is Why: thisiswhy.life  Connect with This Is Why on social media  Information on Camp Erin: elunanetwork.org  Dougy Center: dougy.org  Join the Conversation:  We'd love to hear from you! If you have thoughts on this episode or want to share your own grief journey, email us at griefoutloud@dougy.org.     

When Jessica Waite's husband, Sean, died suddenly, she knew him as a dedicated father to their young son and a loving, engaged spouse. In her book, The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards, Jessica reveals the shock and heartbreak of discovering Sean's double life. What began as a devastating loss quickly became even more complex as she uncovered the many secrets he had kept—hidden debt, drug use, and infidelity. Jessica talks about the rage, confusion, and emotional turmoil of grieving someone you love while simultaneously reckoning with the truth of who they really were. She reflects on anger as a catalyst for change, what she learned about parenting her son through his grief, and how ultimately she found a way back to herself. We disuss: The shock of uncovering a Sean's secrets after his death The role of anger in grief  Navigating single parenthood while managing the weight of betrayal The complexity of holding both love and hurt for Sean The social pressures to maintain the image of someone who has died How humor and writing helped Jessica process her experience Resources & Links: Connect with Jessica Waite on Substack: The Widow's Guide To Purchase The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards online Learn more about grief support at Dougy Center Support Grief Out Loud: Grief Out Loud is produced by the Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children and Families. This podcast is sponsored in part by the Chester Stephan Endowment Fund. For more grief resources, visit dougy.org. Join the Conversation: Have thoughts on this episode? Email us at griefoutloud@dougy.org. Thank you for being part of our community!

In this episode we talk with Annie Sklaver Orenstein, author of Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners. Annie talks about her older brother, Ben, who died when he was deployed in Afghanistan, and how his sudden death reshaped her understanding of grief and loss. They discuss the unique challenges of sibling loss and how Annie ultimately decided to write the book she wished she had when Ben died. We Discuss: Annie's relationship with her brother Ben and his role in her life The day Annie learned of Ben's death and the immediate aftermath How grief intersected with anxiety The unique and often overlooked experience of grieving a sibling Writing Always A Sibling and the need for more grief resources for siblings The complexities of sibling grief in complicated relationships The impact of signs from Ben and how Annie learned to find comfort in them Navigating the question, "Were you close?" Coping with grief while navigating major life milestones, such as becoming a parent Resources Mentioned: Annie Sklaver Orenstein's book: Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners (Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and local bookstores) Dougy Center's grief resources and support programs (www.dougy.org) Connect with Annie Sklaver Orenstein: Instagram: @anniesklaverorenstein Get in Touch with Us: Email: griefoutloud@dougy.org Website: www.dougy.org Want to Support the Show? Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen Leave us a rating & review

In this episode, we talk with Ru Callender, author of What Remains: Life, Death, and the Human Art of Undertaking. Ru shares his personal experience with profound childhood loss to becoming a self-proclaimed radical undertaker. We also discuss the impact of grief at different life stages, how participation in funerals can be helpful for children, and reimagining rituals to accurately reflect the life of the person who died. Main topics: Parental Loss and Early Grief: Ru reflects on the loss of his father at age 7 and his mother in his 20s, sharing how these defining losses shaped his perspective on death and grief. Boarding School and Emotional Austerity: The impact of being sent away shortly after his father's death. Becoming a Radical Undertaker: After a chance encounter with a TV program, Ru was inspired to challenge conventional funeral practices and embrace more personal, inclusive rituals. Children and Grief: Why including children in funerals can be helpful, offering them tangible ways to process and revisit their grief. Radical Funeral Planning: Ru's vision for end-of-life ceremonies, including his own desire for a midsummer funeral pyre, and how he helps families create ceremonies that resonate deeply. The Role of Grief in Life: How grief manifests and resurfaces, and the creative ways Ru has processed his own grief through rituals and art. Resources Mentioned: What Remains: Life, Death, and the Human Art of Undertaking by Ru Callender Dougy Center's grief support resources: www.dougy.org Join the Conversation: Have thoughts about this episode? Email Jana at griefoutloud@dougy.org or connect with Dougy Center on social media. Don't forget to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to share what it means to you.

[This episode originally aired December, 2023] This time of year can be grueling for anyone, but particularly for those who are grieving. So, each year we put out an episode to help you feel less alone and hopefully more equipped to traverse the next few weeks. Today's guest, Melissa Peede Thompson, M.S., is a Grief Services Coordinator at Dougy Center. While she has lots of professional knowledge in this realm, we asked her to talk about her personal experience of grieving during the holidays. Melissa was six when her sister died of gun violence. She was 13 when her father died in a motorcycle accident. And she was a young adult when her grandparents died. Each loss shaped - and continues to shape - how Melissa and her family approach this time of year. We discuss: How her sister's death impacted her parents at the holidays What she remembers about the first Christmas after her dad died Grieving for her her grandparents before they died How the holidays can feel empty, even when the house is full Melissa's realization that grief has left her a little bit "Grinchy" What she's doing to shift how she thinks and feels about the holidays Learning to appreciate being able to spend time with the people who are still alive Why St. Patrick's Day became her favorite holiday Taking the pressure off trying to make the holidays feel the same after someone dies If you missed our past Holidays & Grief episodes, be sure to listen to Ep. 27, 98, 174, 240. And our latest one, 306.  Tips For Getting Through the Holidays & Holiday Plan Worksheet.

In honor of Children's Grief Awareness month, we asked kids and teens to talk about grief in their own words. This compilation episode includes clips from children and teens reflecting on their people who died, their varied responses to loss, and what they hope grief will feel like in future.  Thank you to all the children and teens who contributed to this episode - and to their parents and caregivers for facilitating the recording process.  Want to learn more? Register now for Too Young To Grieve? Dougy Center's Children's Grief Awareness Day webinar. Thursday, November 21st, 2024 - 10 - 11:30 am PST  Be part of our #UnderstandGrief campaign Follow November's Flip The Script posts on social media

It's our 300th episode and this conversation with Maegan Parker Brooks, PhD, is the perfect one to honor that milestone. Maegan is an Associate Professor at Willamette University and a volunteer at Dougy Center where she facilitates a peer grief support group for adult caregivers of teens who are grieving. Maegan is also a daughter and sister, grieving the deaths of her father, her sister Emily, and her mother. In this conversation we talk about grief and estranged relationships, relationships impacted by substance use, non-death losses, memorialization during the pandemic, and all the ways we talk to one another - and ourselves - about that grief.  Maegan Parker Brooks, PhD is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Civic Communication & Media Department at Willamette University. At Willamette, Maegan teaches courses in Death and Grief Communication and facilitates the Diversity of Loss grief support group. Beyond Willamette, Maegan co-facilitates a group for adult caregivers of grieving teens at The Dougy Center and she recently earned a certificate in Arts-Assisted Grief Therapy at the Portland Institute for Loss & Transition.    Related Articles: Brooks, Maegan P. "Listening to Grief." Willamette., 1 Feb. 2024, pp. 20-21.  Brooks, Maegan P. “Listening to Layers of Loss.” Journal of Autoethnography, 4, 2 (2023): 174-192.   Want to help us celebrate our 300th episode? Be sure to follow the show and give us a rating/review on whatever platform you use to listen!   Grief Out Loud®  is a production of Dougy Center, The National Grief Center for Children & Families.

Krista St-Germain is a Master Certified Life Coach, grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista's life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down. After therapy helped her unfurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now, she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too.In this episode, we cover:-5 stages of grief and why Krista thinks there's another way-dual process model-Dougy Center for Grieving Families-death of a parent/coparent-How to handle emotions you see in kids-Post traumatic growthTo connect with Krista:www.coachingwithkrista.comInstagramFacebookResources mentioned:Dougy Center for Grieving Families Grief Outloud PodcastWant a specific topic covered? Let me know here.After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.comGet on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.

It's impossible to speak for an entire community, especially when it comes to grief, but Sharice Burnett, LCSW, knows a lot about the ripple effect of loss in the Black and African American community in Portland, OR. Born and raised in the community, Sharice is clinical mental health therapist and consultant dedicated to naming and dismantling the larger systemic barriers that stand in the way of Black children and families having access to culturally relevant support, particularly mental health and grief support.  We discuss: Grieving the loss of an entire generation of elders during the Covid-19 pandemic The grief and displacement from the Vanport Flood of 1948 The cultural nuances of grief Historic, intergenerational, and collective grief The unacknowledged grief of racism How each death & loss ripples out to the larger Black/African American Portland community How safety from racial harm is critical to accessing grief support services Sharice's hopes and dreams for creating more culturally relevant grief support Creative grief support & healing spaces for Portland's Black community (Black Rose Wellness)  This episode is the third and final in our 2024 three-part series highlighting the voices of communities who have historically been underrepresented in the grief world. The series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and The New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy for children and teens who are grieving.

The Autism & Grief Project is a new online platform designed to help adults with autism navigate and cope with the complexities of grief arising from both death and non-death losses. Alex LaMorie, A.A.S is a member of the project's Advisory Board and brings his lived experience with both autism and grief to this work. Dr. Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv, brings years of both professional and personal grief knowledge to his role on the project's Development Team. The Autism & Grief Project is unique - just as grief and autism are unique - and the site provides information not only for adults with autism who are grieving, but also the people who are supporting them.  We discuss: Parallels between the uniqueness of grief and the individual experience of autism What Alex found to be helpul and unhelpful in his grief Being open to different forms of communication and emotional expression Learning to ask for help The goals for the Autism & Grief Project What Alex and Dr. Doka learned from being part of the project Alex D. LaMorie, A.A.S is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland Global Campus and autism advocate. Alex's expressive grief artwork was recently featured in the textbook Superhero Grief: The Transformative Power of Loss (2021, Routledge). He serves as an advisor on the Hospice Foundation of America's Autism & Grief Project. In his spare time, he loves movies and TV shows as well as traveling to Comic Con and Anime conventions with his older sister. Alex also loves creative writing and spending time with his New York family so he can eat the world's best pizza and bagels! Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv, is Senior Vice President of Grief Programs at Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Death Education and Counseling. He serves as editor of HFA's Living with Grief® book series and its Journeys bereavement newsletter. He is a prolific author, editor, and lecturer; past president of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC); and a member and past chair of the International Work Group on Death, Dying, and Bereavement (IWG). In 2018, the IWG presented Doka with the Herman Feifel Award for outstanding achievement in thanatology. He received an award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Death Education from ADEC in 1998. Doka is an ordained Lutheran minister and a licensed mental health counselor in the state of New York. This episode is the second in our 2024 three-part series highlighting the voices of communities who have historically been underrepresented in the grief world. The series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and The New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy for children and teens who are grieving.

Cristina Chipriano, LCSW, Dougy Center's Director of Equity & Community Outreach and Melinda Avila, MSW, CEO of OYEN Emotional Wellness Center, are committed to changing the landscape of grief support for Latino families. They bring personal and professional grief experiences to the work of ensuring that every Latino family has access to dual language grief support that honors their cultural values.   We discuss: Cristina & Melinda's personal connection to this work Why it's important now, in 2024, to have this conversation What is unique about grief & grief support in the Latino community The concept of family in the Latino community  How grief challenges our sense of self and identity The ways people have been taught to suffer in silence How culture informs grief and grief informs culture Why it's critical for services to be truly bilingual The barriers to accessing services The first thing service providers should be thinking about when meeting with a Latino family Cristina & Melinda's hopes for the future of grief support for Latino families This episode is the first in our 2024 three-part series highlighting the voices of communities who have historically been underrepresented in the grief world. The series is part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and The New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy for children and teens who are grieving. 

In this special episode Sascha, Jana DeCristopharo of the Dougy Center and I search out and approach our wild grief creatures. Some of them are lava monsters, some are trapped behind sliding doors. They are vaporous, shocked, frozen and misunderstood.  They grieve death, separation, abandonment and things unknown. They are adrift and anchored and swimming strongly in their own and a big communal river of loss.  We make contact and start up conversations and then wonder about how this work might work in the bigger world.Featured: The Dougy Center and The Grief House. Mysteriously Alluded To: Jana's snake haired dream baby. 

Dr. Donna Schuurman is back - this time talking about the dangers of pathologizing grief. While the term "complicated grief" has been used in various grief settings for years, it wasn't until March of 2022 that Prolonged Grief Disorder made it into the DSM-5-TR - the Diagnostical & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - as an official diagnosis. This conversation explores the concerns Donna and others in the field share about the move to pathologize grief. We discuss: What Donna's learned about grief working in the field for over 30 years  How that work experience shapes her personal grief  Why she is so passionate about this topic  The history of how Prolonged Grief Disorder came to be in the DSM  How diagnoses are social constructs - and who often gets left out of the studies behind these constructs The dangers of pathologizing grief as a mental disorder  The (short list) of positives of Prolonged Grief Disorder being available as a diagnosis  Other trends in the field to pathologize or "do away" with grief What Donna is optimistic about in the field of bereavement  Register for Donna's upcoming webinar: Flawed Foundations, Deconstructing Three Contemporary Grief Constructs Thursday, February 8, 2024.   Donna L. Schuurman, EdD, FT, is the Senior Director of Advocacy & Education at Dougy Center. Dr. Schuurman was the Executive Director of Dougy Center from 1991–2015. Dr. Schuurman is an internationally recognized authority on grief and bereaved children, teens, and families, and the author of Never the Same: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Parent (St. Martin's Press, 2003), among other publications.     

With a remarkable 35-year association with The Dougy Center, the inaugural bereavement center for children in the United States, Dr. Donna Schuurman stands as an internationally recognized authority in the […] The post Dr. Donna Shuurman – The Grief Pill is Coming; What to Know Before You Swallow It! appeared first on Open to Hope.

When Sat Kaur Khalsa, MSW, was three, her older brother died in a drowning accident. After his death, he continued to disappear - his photos were taken down and no one talked about him. As she grew up, she learned the implicit lesson to be a good kid because her parents were already dealing with enough. She also learned that grief wasn't something you talked about or shared with others. Now, as an adult, she's working to make sure kids her age get to have a different experience. Sat Kaur is the Family Services Coordinator at Dougy Center where she supports children of all ages and their families after a death. In that role she has a special love for working the youngest kids - those who are 3-5 years old - and helping them have the chance to do what she didn't: talk about their people, express their emotions, and be with others who get what they are going through.  We discuss: Sat Kaur's role at Dougy Center & personal connection to the work  What she remembers about being three when her older brother died How his death changed her family and their dynamic Learning the implicit lesson to be a good kid to not make things harder for her parents Her commitment to being more open about grief with her own child Why she loves working with preschoolers who are grieving How preschoolers grieve similarly and differently to older kids and teens Suggestions for age appropriate ways to talk about grief and loss What adults can do to support preschoolers who are grieving a death Be sure to check out our  Youngest Grievers Toolkit for books, Tip Sheets, activities, and more.   

What does it mean to be grief-informed? In 2020, Dr. Donna Schuurman, EdD, FT, and Dr. Monique Mitchell, PhD, FT, authored the paper, "Becoming Grief-Informed: A Call to Action," which outlines: what it means to be grief-informed, why it's so important, and Dougy Center's 10 Core Principles and Tenets of Grief-Informed Practice. This paper is based on the foundational understanding of grief as a natural and normal response to loss that is interwoven into a sociocultural context. It recognizes grief not as an experience that needs to be fixed, treated, or pathologized, but one that deserves understanding, support, and community.  Donna L. Schuurman, EdD, FT, is the Senior Director of Advocacy & Education at Dougy Center. Dr. Schuurman was the Executive Director of Dougy Center from 1991–2015. Dr. Schuurman is an internationally recognized authority on grief and bereaved children, teens, and families, and the author of Never the Same: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Parent (St. Martin's Press, 2003), among other publications.  Monique B. Mitchell, PhD, FT is the Director of Training and Translational Research at Dougy Center. Dr. Mitchell is a nationally recognized authority on children, teens, and families who are grieving in foster care, and the author of The Neglected Transition: Building a Relational Home for Children Entering Foster Care (Oxford University Press, 2016) and Living in an Inspired World: Voices and Visions of Youth in Foster Care (Child Welfare League of America Press, 2017), among other publications. We discuss: Donna and Monique's connection to this work What it means to be grief-informed Why it's necessary to be grief-informed Examples of responses that are grief-informed and not grief-informed Seven core principles that describe what grief is and is not Three core principles that address how to provide grief-informed support Suggestions for how we can all work to be more grief-informed - for ourselves and others Sign up for our Grief Education Webinar - Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education. Thursday, January 18th, 2024, 10 - 11:30 am PST. 

In today's podcast I interview Dr. Donna Shuurman, the senior director of advocacy and education for the Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families. Dr. Shuurman also served as Executive Director of the Dougy center for approximately 25 years and was instrumental in growing and shaping the organization into the amazing resource it is today. The Dougy center is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, and their mission is to provide grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. The Dougy center also provides support and training locally, nationally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children who are grieving. In addition to her work at the Dougy Center, Dr. Schuurman is an international expert on children's grief, and she has worked extensively with children, teens, and families in grief both after expected and unexpected loss. She has extensive experience working with families and communities after large-scale tragedies and natural disaster including the Oklahoma City bombing, Japan's Great Hanshin Earthquake, the attacks during 9/11 and the Sandy Hook school shootings. After following Dr. Schuurman and the Dougy Center for so many years, I was excited to have an opportunity to spend time together to understand what led her to specialize in children's bereavement, learn about her personal experiences, and provide her with the opportunity to share Dougy Center resources with this audience. Key points: Many adults and even professionals misunderstand the grieving experiences and needs of children and young adults which can be detrimental to their healing and physical and mental health in later life. The bereavement needs among children has become a national problem that must be understood and addressed. Thankfully, organizations such as the Dougy Center exist to provide services, training, and support for childhood bereavement. Current estimates indicate that approximately 6 million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they are 18 years of age. This means that roughly 1 out of every 12 children will experience a death in their nuclear family of parents and siblings. By age 25, this number more than doubles to 14.7 million children and youth who will experience the death of a parent or sibling. These numbers come from the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model, a tool that has been developed by Judi's House and the JAG Institute, in partnership with the New York Life Foundation, that approximates rates of U.S. children and youth who will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they reach adulthood. This model can also estimate loss by geographic regions and among different ethnic groups. For more information on this model including downloadable resources please visit www.judishouse.org. The death of an immediate family member in a young person's life is one of the most commonly reported difficult childhood experiences. When not addressed, childhood grief and trauma can cause poor performance in school, mental health problems and even early mortality. Grief support and other appropriate services can decrease the risk for future problems and increase healthy adaptation and healing. Dr. Shuurman's advice to families with grieving children was to get support. Even if you reside outside the Portland area, the Dougy Center website has a wealth of resources including their searchable World-Wide directory which lists organizations and grief groups including those trained by the Dougy Center. There are also online resources and worksheets for kids, teens, young adults, parents and caregivers, schools, communities, and resources in Spanish. There is information specific to relationship losses including siblings, parents, grandparents as well as information specific to how a loved one died for example death from COVID, suicide, homicide, accidents, and there are support materials for families who have loved ones who are in the process of dying. If you want an opportunity to connect with Dr. Donna Shuurman, please join our Facebook group “Talking about the Podcast Untethered with Dr. Levin.” The Facebook group includes a direct link to their podcast, Dr. Shuurman's biography and the of course information about the Dougy Center.

About Episode & Guest I think we can all agree that children and grief are two words we wish would never have to go together. Yet we do live in that world and the challenge we face is that we live in a culture that is grief avoidant which makes it difficult for us to know how to offer meaningful and age-appropriate support. The good news is that today's guest, Brennan Wood, Executive Director of the Dougy Center is here to help. The center's mission is to provide grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. Brennan's connection to the place goes back decades. You see long before she became the Executive Director, she attended the Dougy Center as a client. Brennan walked through the doors for the first time in 1987 when her mother, Doris, died three days after Brennan turned 12 years old. In this episode, Brennan leans on her own wisdom and the lessons she's learned from the clinical staff of her organization in today's conversation. She is a warm, caring, wise spirit and you are going to love her. Get ready! She is full of wisdom, stories, humor, energy and so much more. You are going to love her. Resources and Books You can learn more about Brennan and the Dougy Center by visiting www.dougy.org. They have tons of helpful tip sheets, podcasts, and have age-specific toolkits to help you show up for a grieving child in your life. Host Lisa Keefauver's book Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. You can find it on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org or by visiting www.lisakeefauver.com Visit www.lisakeefauver.com to learn more about Lisa, sign up for her Not-So-Regular Newsletter, register for an upcoming online grief workshop or watch her TEDx talk, Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less.You can find all the books featured on the show by visiting the Grief is a Sneaky Bitch Wishlist on Bookshop.org Oh, and this season, if you want to WATCH the show, you can now watch it on YouTube @lisakeefauvermsw Recorded September 8, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our fifth annual holidays & grief episode! This time of year can be grueling for anyone, but particularly for those who are grieving. So, each year we put out an episode to help you feel less alone and hopefully more equipped to traverse the next few weeks. Today's guest, Melissa Peede Thompson, M.S., is a Grief Services Coordinator at Dougy Center. While she has lots of professional knowledge in this realm, we asked her to talk about her personal experience of grieving during the holidays. Melissa was six when her sister died of gun violence. She was 13 when her father died in a motorcycle accident. And she was a young adult when her grandparents died. Each loss shaped - and continues to shape - how Melissa and her family approach this time of year.  We discuss: How her sister's death impacted her parents at the holidays What she remembers about the first Christmas after her dad died Grieving for her her grandparents before they died How the holidays can feel empty, even when the house is full Melissa's realization that grief has left her a little bit "Grinchy"  What she's doing to shift how she thinks and feels about the holidays Learning to appreciate being able to spend time with the people who are still alive Why St. Patrick's Day became her favorite holiday Taking the pressure off trying to make the holidays feel the same after someone dies If you missed our past Holidays & Grief episodes, be sure to listen to Ep. 27, 98, 174, 240. Tips For Getting Through the Holidays & Holiday Plan Worksheet. Register for our "Navigating Grief During the Holidays" webinar happening on Thursday, 12.7.23, 10 am - 11:30 am PST.

Bridget was in high school when her dad died of a heart attack in 2020. Their relationship was complicated. She loved the way her more creative side came out when they spent time together, but she also struggled with how he kept a lot of his history from her. In grieving for him, Bridget's had to reckon with two things being true at the same time. The first is that in some ways Bridget's life became easier and more stable after he died. The second is the reality that she still loves him, misses him, and wishes he could be there for all the milestones unfolding in her life.   This series is a part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and the New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy on behalf of children and teens who are grieving. Download a copy of the New York Life Foundation's newest resource for teens who are grieving - Lost in the Middle.

  When John's father died of suicide in 2021 it came as a complete shock. John couldn't square the dad he knew as cool and levelheaded with the reality that he took his life. He tried to figure it out - what was going on for his dad that led him to this? Over time, John began to better understand some of the factors that contributed to his dad's death. Throughout it all, he turned to his family, friends, and himself for support in navigating this new world without his dad.  This series is a part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and the New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy on behalf of children and teens who are grieving.  Download a copy of the New York Life Foundation's newest resource for teens who are grieving - Lost in the Middle. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out. You can call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HELLO to 741741.

Sonja was 15 when we recorded in the summer of 2023, but was just 10 when her father, Matt, died in September 2018 from injuries due to a car accident. Sonja, her mom, and two younger siblings lived in NYC at the time of his death. They eventually moved across the country to Portland, Oregon where they attended peer grief support groups at Dougy Center. Sonja shares what she remembers about hearing that her dad was in an accident, how their community showed up while he was in the hospital, and how they kept showing up after he died. We also talk about her dad and what it's like to be the oldest sibling who had the most time and memories with him.   This series is a part of an ongoing collaboration between Dougy Center and the New York Life Foundation. We are deeply grateful for New York Life Foundation's tireless support and advocacy on behalf of children and teens who are grieving.  Download a copy of the New York Life Foundation's newest resource for teens who are grieving - Lost in the Middle.

"How do I help someone who is grieving?" This is the perennial question when it comes to showing up for people we care about after someone dies. Zack Wheat, a Board Certified Chaplain, knows more than most about what people who are grieving need - and don't need. Professionally, Zack knows about this from his work as a hospital chaplain for an inpatient palliative care team. He also knows about it from his time volunteering as a facilitator in peer grief support groups at Dougy Center. But, long before he was a hospital chaplain or a grief group facilitator, Zack learned about how to be there for others when he was 21 and his friend Leanna died in a car accident.  In this episode we talk about: What it was like for Zack to speak at his friend's funeral  His draw to working as a chaplain  The difference between hospital and hospice chaplaincy  How the pandemic impacted Zack and his hospital colleagues  What people who are grieving need – and don't need  How to be human with other humans who are grieving  What keeps people from showing up for others  The value of acknowledgment, empathy, and presence  What Zack's learned as a facilitator in a peer grief support group 

On this special episode of The Power of Love Show we have created a safe space where we openly discussed our grief and reflected on our individual journeys as a community. We used a discussion prompt curated by The Dougy Center, a wonderful resource for those who are grieving. Learn More About Dougy Center: Website: Dougy.org Instagram: @TheDougyCenter Learn More About DDJF: Website: DDJF.org Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation Twitter: @DDJFoundation Leave a podcast review: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=koXehESfSrSwA-zWi2vf-w Can't make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook! Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Nd1HTnbaI Like Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/884355188308946/ Join our Official Facebook Group full of supportive community members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571/?ref=share_group_link Visit the DDJF official website: http://www.ddjf.org/ Follow us on Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepowerofloveshow/support

Meet Emilio Parga, the founder and Executive Director of The Solace Tree, as well as Solace Tree participants and advocates - sisters Hailey, Lily, and Chloe. The Solace Tree provides grief and loss support for children, teens, and families. They have much to teach us - and you will love learning from their wisdom and experience! Through their peer support programs and education opportunities, children and teens learn to cope and adjust to the many changes in their lives associated with grief - because as Emilio teaches us - “if children are old enough to love, they are old enough to grieve.” Whether you are grieving or love someone who is, this one has value for us all. Learn more The Solace Tree and get involved at https://www.solacetree.org/ Additional links from the episode: TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) episode of Hope, NV: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3cPu4rmofgVc6Is0zLqwNq?si=a18a3f59205a4dac The Dougy Center: https://www.dougy.org/ On Mortality seminar: https://www.youtube.com/live/nTMzuIpQMy0?feature=share Girls on the Run episode of Hope, NV: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7xAYWH5h9rdjz9Ba1Q3AyU?si=4351aac672104065

Our story tonight is called Joy Ride and it's a story about a spontaneous trip for two friends on a summer day. It's also about music coming from the records shop's door, a new book in a beloved series and riding off into the sunset with the windows rolled down.   We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to The Dougy Center www.dougy.org The Dougy Center provides grief support in a safe place for children, teens, young adults, and their families.Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-HappensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Dr. Julie Shaw. Dr. Julie Shaw is an educator, grief wellness advocate and experienced griever committed to building an inclusive community of grievers  who are curious, ready to explore and moved to find ways they can integrate grief into their lives and continue to thrive. After the loss of her sister and journey of infertility, Dr. Shaw became inspired to change the perceptions of grief as sorrowful, isolated, and constant heartache, to one where grievers and others can see this as a human experience. One where there can be passion, enlightenment, growth, and even a vibrant life after loss. Dr. Shaw has a gift of bringing an authentic and sociable style when educating others through interactive creative and engaging community experiences, online education, and facilitated dialogues. Her work motivates grievers to “say hello to grief” inviting them to acknowledge their own grief while being an active participant in the grieving process. She is the founder of ‘Hello I‘m Grieving', a community where grievers can find support and support one another. Through Hello, I'm Grieving, Dr. Shaw creates unique and creative ways to explore grief in community through virtual and in person events. In 2022, Dr. Shaw launched the Hello I'm Grieving Grief Hike event that brings together grievers from diverse backgrounds to explore their own grief wellness through physical activity, guided reflection, and transformational dialogue.  Additionally, Dr. Shaw has her doctorate in Leadership and is the co-founder of Lead Different Consulting where she works with global leaders in diverse industries and facilitates sessions on leadership development, DEI, and grief education. Dr. Shaw has an extensive athletics background as a former professional basketball player, collegiate women's basketball coach for 15 years helping lead teams to championships and the NCAA Sweet 16, and served as Billie Jean King's Director of Education.  She has invested her time volunteering with ‘Our House' working with bereaved children and is also a certified grief educator with David Kessler. Recently, Dr. Shaw was selected to participate in the PAUSE Starlight Business Residency program, led by Alica Forneret geared towards offering support and programming for POC business leaders in the end of life and grief fields.  Dr. Shaw has been sought out to speak on panels with David Kessler and Empathy.com, she has been a guest speaker on several podcasts such as Grief Out Loud hosted by The Dougy Center, and her story will be featured in the upcoming grief documentary Meet Me Where I Am. Dr. Shaw currently resides in Los Angeles with her wife, Erica, daughter Jennings (named in honor of her sister) and loving pup, Charley! Learn More About Dr. Julie Shaw: Website: HelloImGrieving.com Instagram: @HelloImGrieving Facebook: Hello I'm Grieving Learn More About DDJF: Website: DDJF.org Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation Twitter: @DDJFoundation Leave a podcast review: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=koXehESfSrSwA-zWi2vf-w Can't make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook! Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Nd1HTnbaI Like Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/884355188308946/ Join our Official Facebook Group full of supportive community members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571/?ref=share_group_link Visit the DDJF official website: http://www.ddjf.org/ Follow us on Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepowerofloveshow/support

This episode is Part 2 of a two-part miniseries on children and grief. If you care for a child who has lost someone, I encourage you to tune into today's episode as I give some concrete suggestions on how to help a child who's grieving. Grief Resources: 1. The Dougy Center, a national organization that helps grieving children and their families: www.dougy.org 2. Children's Bereavement Center: https://childbereavement.org 3. The Highmark Caring Place, a Pennsylvania-based organization that helps grieving children and their families: www.highmarkcaringplace.com 4. Center for Loss and Life Transition: www.centerforloss.com Contact: starfishcounselingforgl@gmail.com or lori@starfishcounseling.biz

There is a common misconception that children do not grieve. In this episode, I explain how grief in children does exist and how it manifests, depending on the age of the child. This is Part 1 of a two-part series on children and grief. TW: Grief in children Resources: 1. The Dougy Center, a national organization that helps grieving children and their families: www.dougy.org 2. Children's Bereavement Center: https://childbereavement.org 3. The Highmark Caring Place, a Pennsylvania-based organization that helps grieving children and their families: www.highmarkcaringplace.com Contact: starfishcounselingforgl@gmail.com or lori@starfishcounseling.biz

We wanted to release this episode at the beginning of the new year, because it hits on a topic we haven't explored much before – psychic mediumship. It's something that comes up in our groups at Dougy Center and the people who bring it up usually do so with a lot of trepidation and concern for how others will respond. We figured if it's coming up in our groups, many of you out there might also be curious about this kind of work. Patty Montoya is a psychic medium, energy healer, anticipatory grief coach, Reiki practitioner, and death doula. She came to this work from her personal experience. When she was 18, her younger brother died of leukemia. A few years later, her mother also died, from a fast-moving disease. Patty turned to this work in the hopes of providing others with the support she most needed in her grief.  We get into: Common misperceptions about psychic mediumship. What kinds of messages Patty receives and how she translates them. What to expect in a session. How she responds to skepticism about her work. Examples of messages Patty's received from her family members. How she cares for herself in this work.  www.titipoza.com Follow Patty on IG & FB

Ilana Shapiro Yahdav, MPA, and Kim English Hanlon, MA, are Grief Advocates and Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialists, fueled by their own personal loss experiences. They co-founded Yahdav & Hanlon Grief Support out of a shared passion for offering individual grief support and enhancing corporate wellness programs to support employees around loss and life changes. Their tools and programs help increase productivity, emotional resilience, retention, and engagement both in the workplace and in one's personal life. In this informative & emotional 3rd episode, Ilana, Kim and I discuss:. How to have age appropriate conversations, about what death is, with our children. Tips for answering questions about what happens when we die. Ways we can support our children through their grief and loss of friendships, parent's divorce, no longer being an only children, death of a loved one, etc.  How to incorporate faith & religion into the conversation about death and loss.  Signs to look for when the grief is too much for children to handle.  How to have age appropriate conversations with our children about classroom safety drills, mass shootings, and other tragedies.  Connect with Ilana and Kim on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram Resources mentioned in this article: The Dougy Center for Grieving Children When Children Grieve by John W James and Russell Friedman & Matthews  The Rabbit Listened The Invisible String Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.motherhood.village1/  Website: https://www.themotherhoodvillage.com/ Liked this episode? Leave a review and rating at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-motherhood-village-podcast/id1487274178  Have a topic or guest you'd like to see on The Motherhood Village podcast? Send recommendations to: themotherhoodvillage1@gmail.com 

When your parent is one of six people in medical history to be diagnosed with and die from a rare disease, the phrase, "The odds are one in a million" takes on a very different meaning. This was true for Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, Pathways Program Coordinator at Dougy Center, who was 11 when her father died of heart cancer. At that point, she decided that if something tragic could happen, it would most likely happen to her. This worldview informed so much of how she approached school, dating, family, and becoming a parent.  In this conversation we explore: The early days of being a parent without her father. How vigilance and anxiety led Rebecca to over-function as a parent. The joy she found in watching her children get to be kids, without the responsibility she had to take on after her father died. How witnessing her grandson survive an extremely rare brain disease has helped rewrite her "one in a million" narrative. Other Grief Out Loud episodes with Rebecca: Ep. 18: Grieving the Death of a Sibling - Tips for Supporting Children Ep. 20: Grief & Developmental Disabilities Ep. 27: Grief and the Holidays Ep. 67: Creating Legacies in the Face of a Terminal Illness Ep. 98: Under Pressure - Grief & December Holidays Ep. 174: Holidays, Grief & a Pandemic Ep. 240: The (Not) Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Holidays & Grief Mini-Episode

For a lot of us, the end of year holidays + grief = the (not) most wonderful time of the year. Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, Pathways Program & Group Coordinator at Dougy Center, is back for our annual Holidays & Grief episode. We discuss negotiating with family and friends around how we want to celebrate or not celebrate and how the past few years have shifted our priorities. Rebecca also shares how she and her family are approaching the holidays with a new type of grief, her mother having Alzheimer's.  If you missed our past Holidays & Grief episodes, be sure to listen to Ep. 27, 98, and 174.  Tips For Getting Through the Holidays & Holiday Plan Worksheet. Register for our "Navigating Grief During the Holidays" webinar happening on Thursday, 12.1.22, 10 am - 11:30 am PST. 

Día de Los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a two-day holiday to remember family members and friends who have died. Día de Los Muertos has origins throughout Mexico and parts of Latin America, and is celebrated on November 1 and 2. The holiday is not a version of Halloween, but rather an enduring ritual celebrated since ancient times. Valenca Valenzuela, MSW, Volunteer Coordinator at Dougy Center, joins us to talk about the history of Día de Los Muertos, her personal connection to the holiday, and how people from all traditions can respectfully celebrate Día de Los Muertos by honoring and acknowledging its cultural origins.  More about Dougy Center's Día de Los Muertos celebration.  Valenca's previous Grief Out Loud appearance - Born For This Work. Movies mentioned in this episode: Coco & The Book of Life. History of Día de los Muertos. Día de Los Muertos, es una celebración de dos días que tiene como fin recordar a miembros de la familia y amigos que han muerto. Tiene sus orígenes en diferentes regiones de México y partes de América Latina, y se celebra el 1 y 2 de noviembre. Esta festividad no es una versión de Halloween, sino un ritual perdurable celebrado desde la antigüedad. Valenca Valenzuela, MSW, Coordinadora de Voluntarios del Dougy Center se une para hablar acerca de la historia de Día de los muertos, su conexión personal con esta celebración, y cómo la gente de todas tradiciones puede celebrar este día de manera respetuosa, honrando y reconociendo sus orígenes culturales. Más sobre la celebración del Día de los Muertos del Dougy Center. Participación previa de Valenca en Grief Out loud – Born For This Work (Nacida para este trabajo). Películas mencionadas en este episodio: Coco & The Book of Life (El Libro de la vida). Historia del Día de los Muertos.  

When someone close to us passes away, we grieve. Many times we experience that same sense of loss when someone we didn't know, except through their public persona, passes away. Zoë Page talks about the grieving process and talks about how families who lose a child cope. Zoë works as a Child Life Specialist at Baystate Children's Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. We all experience many losses in our lifetime, from family members and friends to the substances used if we're recovering. How we handle those losses is unique to each of us. If you have experienced the loss of a child, The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, https://www.dougy.org, has numerous resources for families. If you or a loved one needs help due to substance abuse, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at  https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html (Nearly 46,000 Americans died by suicide in 2020). That's one death every 11 minutes. Coping with the loss of a loved one is challenging. It can also be difficult for people around them to know how to best support them. https://www.dbsalliance.org/about/young-adult-council/ (DBSA Young Adult Council) members Olivia Eiler and Jamie Vaughn spoke with two co-facilitators from the https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.starcenter.pitt.edu/clinical-services/survivors-suicide&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1664471909830827&usg=AOvVaw2nL4MUmGTgwFoB34Piz0mi (Survivors of Suicide) (SOS) bereavement support group at UMPC Western Psychiatric Hospital'shttps://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.starcenter.pitt.edu/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1664471909831262&usg=AOvVaw2Na4Yq20mlWlKCQJNxxtb- ( STAR-Center in Pittsburgh.) They share their personal experiences with suicide loss, offer practical tips for supporting survivors, and discuss resources for survivors. For Immediate Help: National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 Online Resources: American Association of Suicidology https://suicidology.org/ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://afsp.org/ Survivors of Suicide bereavement support group https://www.starcenter.pitt.edu/clinical-services/survivors-suicide Jamey Covaleski 412-864-3346 covaleskijj@upmc.edu The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families https://www.dougy.org/ The Child Mind Institute https://childmind.org/topics/suicide-self-harm/ Books for Adults: After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief by Bob Baugher and Jack Jordan No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One by Carla Fine When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner Why People Die by Suicide by Thomas Joiner History of a Suicide: My Sister's Unfinished Life by Jill Bialosky I'm Sorry For Your Loss: Hope and Guidance in Managing Your Grief by Lillian L. Meyers, Ph.D. My Son…My Son: A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss, or Suicide by Iris Bolton Voices of Healing and Hope: Conversations on Grief after Suicide by Iris Bolton Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt by Kevin Hines It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting grief and loss in a culture that doesn't understand by Megan Devine Grief One Day at a Time: 365 Meditations to Help You Heal After Loss by Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D. A Time to Grieve: Meditations for Healing After the Death of a Loved One by Carol Staudacher Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child by Gary Roe Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson Books for Children: Suicide Loss: What Teens Need to Know by Terri Erbacher, Ph.D. & Tony Salvatore, MA But I Didn't Get to Say Goodbye: For Parents and Professionals Helping Child Suicide Survivors by Barbara Rubel My Uncle Keith Died by Carol Ann Loehr, Julianne Costentino & James Mojonnier

Listener caution- Today is a tough one. Peggy lost her daughter to a genetic heart condition while on a school field trip. She became part of a club that no parent ever wants to be in but today she shares her story as she remembers Hannah and God's faithfulness. When someone loses a child, your heart breaks for them. Reach out, offer support, remember their loved one. Remind your friend that they are not forgotten. Grief and loss are not logical, they may not even know what they need but your presence and compassion can minister to them. If you know a child who has experienced the loss of a sibling or parent, connect with The Dougy Center . If you would like to chat with Peggy, you are welcome to email her at preparingtheway@protonmail.com Join more conversations and find encouragement at The Homeschool Hub and at Tending Fields Mom's Group on Facebook. #lossofachild #godshandthroughtragedy #supportoneanother #writedownansweredprayer #griefbrain #themudzone #painoflosingachild #itsnotsupposedtobethisway #Icantpray #griefeffectsyourlungs #whenitsachildeveryonecomes #bonnevilledam #fishladder #thedaythesalmonjumped

This episode builds on our https://www.yourparentingmojocom/death (conversation with Dr. Atle Dyregrov on the topic of talking with children about death), where we focused mainly on death as a general concept and navigating the first few days after the death. Grief therapist Katie Lear has a new book called A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood Grief and focuses on the much longer period of mourning that follows the death of someone close to a child. We look at: The four 'tasks' of mourning that most people (including children) move through Activities we can do in each task to help children navigate their feelings effectively long the process usually takes Signs that a child is engaged in 'complicated grief' and needs more support Where and how to find that support Resources mentioned in the show https://www.katielear.com/ (Katie's website) https://amzn.to/3IZL8Np (The book A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood Grief) https://amzn.to/3PMusef (Selma Fraiberg's book The Magic Years: Understanding and Handling the Problems of Early Childhood) https://www.dougy.org/ (The Dougy Center)(resources and referrals to grief therapists) Books Katie recommends for reading with young children https://amzn.to/3aWKfsm (When Dinosaurs Die) https://amzn.to/3b643cy (Ida Always) https://amzn.to/3RWDzer (The Endless Story) https://amzn.to/3PJVdju (The Dead Bird) https://amzn.to/3Otfngs (Goodbye Mousie)

Long before I put my professional experience out on the air waves, I listened to the Grief Out Loud podcast. It's hosted by Jana DeCristofaro and is produced at the Dougy Center. If you are not familiar with the Dougy Center, it is an organization in Portland, OR that provides support to grieving children, teens, and young adults. The Dougy Center is highly acclaimed for their work. In fact, many other organizations throughout the United States base their work off of the model provided by the Dougy Center. Today, I am proud to share my interview with Jana DeCristofaro from the Dougy Center. Our conversation entails Jana's commitment to 20+ years of consistent efforts to de-stigmatize grief and grieving. I deeply respect Jana's professional expertise. It was an honor to interview her. For more support and companionship on your grief journey, download the Grief Refuge app to get daily comfort, care, and compassionate inspiration to help manage grief (on iOS and Android).

Valenca Valenzuela, MSW, was born on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which seems fitting for someone who grew up to hold space for people before and after a death. Valenca is the Volunteer and Group Coordinator at Dougy Center, supporting children, teens, young adults and their adult family members who are grieving a death. As a death doula, she supports people who are facing the end of their lives. She is also an instructor for the Going with Grace program, readying others to do similar work.  Valenca comes to this work as someone with a lot of lived experience. When she was 16, her father died of cancer. As an adult, she was with her grandmother at the end of her life. A trip to Ireland to connect with her maternal lineage solidified her passion for working as a death doula and starting conversations about end of life.  Valenca shares about what it was like to be 16 and grieving for her father, what she's learned from working with kids and families in our peer grief support groups, what it means to have a "good death," and ways we can all be better prepared for end of life.  

Mentioned in the podcast:  Shane and Nikki's courses:  www.preparingparents.com On IG and FB: @preparingparentscourse LEAPT:   Play Therapy Training with Terry Kottman: www.adlerianplaytherapy.com The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families www.dougy.org   Books:  10 good things about Barney You've got Dragons

As gun violence continues to affect Portlanders, what kind of trauma does that create for kids? How can losing a loved one to gun violence be different from other forms of loss? We learn more about grief, loss and gun violence from Alysha Lacey. She's the director of program services at the Dougy Center, a Portland-based organization that offers grief support for children, teens, young adults, and their families.

Laura LaBelle and Michelle discuss how children are often overlooked as grievers when death and loss occur. They remind us when death and loss occur children are learning how to manage their grief and that they must adjust to a new identity that this loss brings. Laura stresses the importance of conversation and creating an empathetic space where pain can be absorbed. Laura provides tips for communication and helping kids to process their grief such as memory jars, breath and grounding exercises, models of grief, observing how animals grieve, discussions about grief and playing out scenarios, and involving the deceased by creating traditions that remind the bereaved it is ok to still talk about that person. They explain why it is vital for adults to become more comfortable with death and grief. Laura also shares signs to look for regarding if a child is having difficulty coping with the loss.  "It's a heightened, heightened, heightened anxious time.  And so, oftentimes we don't say anything to kids right away. But they know something is up. They feel it. They can feel it. We think we are hiding it and it's like NO. No one's hiding anything other than the fact that we all see that everyone's kinda freaked out right now. Like nobody knows what to do."—Laura LaBelle  Resources:The Invisible StringTenth Good Thing About Barney Why is Mommy Crying? -explaining early pregnancy loss to young childrenBambi IIBereavement Reactions of Children and Young People By Age Group:https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/bereavement-reactions-children-young-people-age-groupSesame Street:https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/grief/Dougy Center:https://www.dougy.org/grief-support-resources/kidsNew Hope for Kids:https://newhopeforkids.org/Children's Grief  Center:https://childrensgrief.org/ National Alliance for Children's Grief:https://childrengrieve.org/ About Laura:Laura LaBelle holds a Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco in Education, Organizational Leadership, and has worked extensively with relocated people groups in varying parts of the world who have been displaced by their governments, war, and history of colonization. Over the last 20 years, Laura has been a credentialed teacher working in K12 education as an educator, mentor, and consultant including working with students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Laura frequently consults with groups to create curriculum, experiences, and gatherings on a variety of topics they need help organizing and implementing. Laura is the owner of Life Shifts Companion working as a full spectrum doula, 1:1 companion, support group leader, speaker, and workshop/retreat facilitator. Much of their time is focused in the realm of working in a trauma-informed manner with the birthing, the dying, and those who find themselves in the midst of life changes. High interests are exploring healthy ways of mourning and grieving, and helping those experiencing perinatal loss. Laura's background with kids and loss began in middle school as a hospital volunteer filling in on the children's floor in the playroom. Eventually, as a teacher in a high needs, short personnel funded area, Laura gained much experience in the moment often during science when children who'd experienced intense loss would boldly ask questions about how those life cycle lessons connected to the loss of their family members. Learning to navigate those conversations and not leave the students fearful or questioning their familial beliefs, proved to be some of the most important lessons Laura learned. While teaching, Laura began to volunteer with the sick and dying and returned in part to the children's floor at the hospital they first experienced grief and children. Laura has since worked throughout Thailand and Lao PDR with relocated people groups, often finding themselves listening to the stories told by the traumatized women and children regarding unbearable pain and loss. These relationships that still exist are part of the foundational belief that what people want, including children, is someone to listen, create and hold space, to just be with—a companion. Today, Laura runs a sibling grief group for kiddos who have lost a sibling, and conducts workshops on similar topics. A long term goal of Laura's is to help communities create public mourning spaces to help normalize our relationships to grief and death. Laura feels deeply that this is one way to help us contextualize and manage our collective grief as a nation, while helping to address our fearful attitudes toward death and grief so that we may truly begin to heal and live. Laura is committed to working with people who have experienced discrimination, trauma and/or loss due to some aspect of identity such as  gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion. They have created numerous educational products, and have trained professionals for close to two decades.  Connect with Laura:Website:  www.lifeshiftscompanion.comTikTok: @Let'sTokAboutDeath Instagram:  @spaceforgrief,  Connect with Rev. Michelle:Website:  BirthEaseServices.com /loss-supportFacebook:   Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:   @birtheaselossssupportLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithThank you for listening! Remember, you are not alone in your grief. 

If you've watched television in Portland over the past 10 years, there's a really good chance you've seen today's guest. Cassidy Quinn is a Pacific Northwester with roots in Seattle, before moving to Portland. For years, you could see her on KGW 8, with featured segments about things going on in Portland. From 2018 to 2020, she was the host of Tonight with Cassidy.  And if you're fan of country music, you can hear Cassidy on 98.7 The Bull each weeknight.  In 2021, she created the Mentally Together podcast to talk about mental health.  Learn more about it here: https://pod.link/mentallytogether In this episode, Cort and Cassidy talk about her dog Summit, her college choice and a move to the East Coast, her dining pics in Boston and Portland. Plus, if you're listening to this on the day of release (May 6), Cassidy is the emcee for a fundraising event for the Dougy Center. Learn more about it (and donate if you'd like) here: https://dougy.ejoinme.org/reflection2022 Right at the Fork is supported by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingsideSteakHouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope Foundation with the mission of helping people find […] The post Dr. Donna Schuurman, Dougy Center: Five Ways to Support Grieving Children appeared first on Open to Hope.

Part 4 of our Grief Series with Gabby Jimenez of The Hospice Heart features bereavement social worker Isabel Stenzel, with a focus on grief in children and young adults.  Younger people navigate grief differently.  As hospice and bereavement professionals, it's important to remember to respect the instinct and wishes of the parents. There are numerous ways children can be connected to someone who's dying - writing letters and cards or drawing pictures.  If we're old enough to love, we're old enough to grieve.  A time of loss is an opportunity to teach a child how to navigate a grief journey.  It's important to prepare the child for what the child might see, like changes in body appearance or abilities to communicate.  Explanations about death should be provided according to the developmental level of the child.  Adults instinctively try to shield kids from experiences with death and dying, but kids can develop healthy coping mechanisms if appropriately involved in the death of a loved one.  How adults cope with grief greatly influence how a child grieves, so it's vital for adults to care for themselves and get the grief support they need.  Using creative activities to create meaning and providing support that's age appropriate can enable a child to navigate a loss in a healthy way.      Resources for grieving children include: National Alliance for Children's Grief - childrengrieve.org The Dougy Center - dougy.org Sesame Street YouTube videos Connect with Gabby Jimenez and The Hospice Heart at thehospiceheart.net.  Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We'd love to hear from you! Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com. Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com. Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We'd love to hear from you!