Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Claudia – Being stuck and art therapy

Claudia discusses remunating how art therapist can help create different positive perspectives

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.

Amanda – “No person is an island”

Amanda talks about the power of community and the importance of reaching out.

Shannon – Guilt vs Shame

Shannon talks about guilt can be a part of the grieving process but shame has to do with “is there something wrong with me”

Claudia – You do not have to be an artist to do art therapy

Claudia explains why you do not have to be an artist to benefit

Madelyn – Advice to younger self

Madelyn discusses how having feelings is a gift and you can work through tough ones. There is hope.

Keith – “Timeframe for grief”

Keith explains it is never too late to grieve and there is no timeline.

Jean – Helping your children through grief

Jean discusses how helping her children through grief also helped her

Alongside

That is also our best, and only role, when supporting a person with a developmental disability to grieve. We must be the one that comes alongside. There is no closer place we can get to. We must be present, be with, perhaps not understanding or comprehending what the person we support is experiencing, but alongside them nonetheless. We must be there, ready to provide whatever we can discover of their unique need in grief.

Maureen – “Counselling… a safe place”

Maureen discusses the right counselling space for you.

Jacqueline – Digital Story

Jacqueline discusses what a digital story can be and how creatiing one can create positive breakthroughs

Claudia – Materials in art therapy

Claudia discusses all of the wonderful options of materials to use in art therapy. Art, markers, clay, pencils, water collours, cutting, tearing. They physical engagment with the materials is like alchemy.