Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

Maureen talks about getting help and what is right for you.

Cara – Intellectual disabilities and advance planning

Cara explains that people living with intellectual disabilities are growing to older ages, much like the rest of the population. And as folks are aging what we’re seeing is the need for families more so than ever, to do some advanced planning for who will take over any caregiving decision making or where that person may live, what sort of support they may need and what that’s going to look like after the parents or the guardians die so that this doesn’t become a crisis situation.

Donna – “Helping a grieving friend”

Donna shares some practical ways to help someone in grief.

Chantal – My Story

Chantal discusses finding a release in doing a graphic novel to explore her grief as a thesis in art therapy school

Carrie – Grief and creativity

Carrie talks about creativity and expressing grief and loss… that in many ways can offer insight and comfort for those who are grieving

Jacqueline – My Story

Jacqueline talks about getting through the feelings after her mother’s death

Caileigh – Through play children learn so much about their grief

Caileigh discussed how children learn so much about their grief through play. There’s less confusion, there’s less anxiety, there’s more awareness. For the child and the parent, there is more acceptance of grief.

Janice – “Grief can be complicated”

Janice discusses disenfranchised grief and holding on to hurt.

Keith – “My story”

Keith tells his story and why he became a counsellor.

Janice – “Being triggered”

Janice discusses triggering, overreacting, under-reacting, and taking responsibility for the size of our feelings.

Madelyn – Rituals and the Chinese grieving process

Madelyn talks about expressing your grief in Chinese cultures and how rituals are a war of grieving providing comfort

Amanda – “Reach out”

Amanda discusses the importance of connecting with others.