Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Janice – “Feelings just are”

Janice explains the importance of listening to, trusting and honouring ourselves and our feelings.

Jenn – What does an art therapist do

Jenn explains how art therapist use the creative process to help people make positive changes to improve their overall health and to enhance their well being

Kristal – Attending Memorials as a Support Worker

Kristal discusses the importance of finding ways to honour people that have been lost and how they have impacted you. She speaks to how she often chooses not to attend public memorials for those she has lost as a support worker as they are often very overwhelming. Instead, she has her own personal rituals or ways of honouring those she has lost personally including opening a window. She discusses how this practice was used when she worked in palliative care.

Jessica M – The value of talking about grief

Jessica talks about living in North America and the fear many people have about talking about grief but that it is very important to talk. It makes us feel less alone and helps us move through our grief. It’s also how you can keep your lost one alive.

Jean – Helping your children through grief

Jean discusses how helping her children through grief also helped her

Corrie – Grief is like a rollercoaster

Corrie talks about grief over time

Jacqueline – Where to store art works

Jacqueline explains how art can be like journal entries that you would keep private

Chantal – What is art therapy?

Chantal explains how art therapy helps us express in ways that words can’t

Jacqueline – How to help a grieving friend

Jacqueline discusses the power of just being there with someone in grief

Cara – People with intellectual disabilities need to be recognized and honoured in their grief

Cara talks about grievers living with intellectual disabilities and that it’s not about those of us who are neuro-typical, giving them a voice or providing them or saying things for them. Rather, it’s that they already have a voice. They already have these experiences and they want them to be recognized, acknowledged and honoured.

Michele – Covid and support

Michele defines expressive arts and how they can help healing in griefMIchele talks about COVID restrictions, technology and ways to support

Claudia – Taking your art home after art therapy

Claudia talks about why sometimes not to take your art home after therapy