Grief

Suicidal thoughts are often treated solely as symptoms to be eliminated or risks to be managed, yet this narrow focus can overlook their deeper meaning. Many people who experience suicidal ... Read More

I used to think that closure and healing were the same. I was wrong. Finding closure is not an easy thing to come by. Most of the time, finding closure is harder to attain than healing. ... Read More

Those of you who know me personally are aware that my son Nikolai passed away in November. Our family has been navigating this unimaginable loss, and while everyone’s grief is unique, ... Read More

Ambiguous vs. Unambiguous Loss When I looked into my loved one’s eyes during one of her first manic episodes, I did not recognize the eyes staring back at me.  Equally heartbreakingly, ... Read More

The first Christmas after my son died, I couldn’t put up decorations. Christmas was a challenge to be endured rather than an anticipated event.  We, as a family, talked and shared memories ... Read More

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, warmth, and togetherness. It’s a period when families and friends come together, and phrases like “peace on earth” echo in ... Read More

The holiday season is a time when there are expectations to be “together”,  “joyous” and to “celebrate.” These descriptive words can greatly differ from the pain, despair, ... Read More

Our pets are our family, there for us when we need them, and always a part of our hearts. Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is an emotional and heart-rending experience, especially when ... Read More

How to Support a Loved One After a Miscarriage A miscarriage is a devastating loss for a mother, their partner, and their family. In many societies, the cultural norm is for the mother ... Read More

In her seminal book, On Death and Dying, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified five distinct stages of grief. Kübler-Ross worked with dying people and designed her model to describe ... Read More

The loss of a child is often considered to be the most painful, wrenching experience a person can have. The loss of an infant may be sudden and shocking or follow many months of neonatal ... Read More

Pregnancy is often considered a joyous and exciting time. But sometimes life has other plans. Death, natural disasters, and other changes can lead to grief or trauma at any stage of life. ... Read More