Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Jacqueline – Advice to Younger Self

Jacqueline talks about seeking help and being kind to yourself

Michele – Advice to younger grieving self

Michele tells what advice she would give to her younger grieving self

Caleigh – Play Therapy

Caileigh explains how play therapy, a form of psychotherapy can help children in grief. It is specifically used when working with children and families and youth because it’s developmentally appropriate. They are never expected to sit down and to talk. And it is through the language of play that they’re able to learn about the confusing feelings of grief. They are able to learn new skills to cope with their grief, and they’re able to go at their own pace.

Claudia – Waterlillies

Claudia talks about how she painted on panels big enough to hug to help her with her grief

Rev. Sky – “Why”

Rev. Sky talks about the question of why and how to look beyond it.

Madelyn – Accept what you are feeling

Madelyn talks about how it’s ok to not be ok.

Jenn – The difference between expressive and creative arts

Jenn explains the difference between expressive and creative arts. You don’t have to limit yourself to art making to help you through your grief process. Expressive arts encompasses a wide variety of approaches including drama, dance, movement, writing and music

Christian – “Growth out of pain”

Christian tells about how grief changes and we grow.

Michele – My Story

MIchele talks about her multiple losses starting from when she was very young

Janice – “Own our feelings”

Janice discusses the goals of emotional work and arriving at a peaceful place.

Cara – Grief and intellectual disabilities is a topic that needs to “get out there”

Cara shares some information from a participant in her research on intellectual disabilities and the bereaved. A person with an intellectual disability said… “Grief: It’s a topic that needs to get out there” Grief is something that so many people are hesitant to talk about, to display, to show, because there’s so many social rules around how we grieve. This is particularily challenging for the intellectually disabled.

Keith – “Grief at any age”

Keith discusses grief and age.