Guidance in Grief June/July 2023

A MESSAGE FROM JENNIFER

Summer is now in full swing. The days are long and bright, and the sun is hot. There is often a feeling of lightness when the kids are out of school, and everyone seems to have vacation on their mind. Grieving is never easy, but it can feel especially difficult to watch others appear lighthearted and relaxed when the weather does not match your mood. At least in the winter, when the days are short and grey, your internal world is more aligned with your external one.

Summer is a mixed bag for me. One of my most painful life losses occurred in July, and even now, 23 years later there is a sadness that accompanies the summer sun. I can no longer remember the sound of my grandfather’s voice or sense his hand in mine, yet I can still feel his smile within, and I experience a different kind of warmth when I think about our time together. I have experienced the unexpected and anticipated deaths of many people I love, but July 9th will always hurt more.

This month I encourage you to breathe in the July summer air and hold space for both your grief and the relaxed pace that summer brings. Take advantage of extended daylight to discover new things after your daily responsibilities. Be present in your grief but create space for new opportunities, relationships, and experiences.

Wishing you a peaceful month,

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Dinner Parties and Vulnerability:

How a New Generation has Changed Grief

Nothing is safe from being changed or impacted by grief including grief itself. According to a new Washington Post article the new generation is changing the way we experience and express our grief. The traditional five stages of grief once presented by Elizabeth Kubler Ross no longer seem as applicable as the world continues to evolve and become increasingly more complex. The virtual world provides a public forum for the expression and discussion of grief. The younger generation has engaged in new innovative opportunities to connect and discuss their feelings and find normalization in their grief experiences. The article further explores the concept of coping ugly and resiliency in grief. To learn more click here.

PODCAST

June 21st - In this podcast episode, I interview therapist and author Randie Clark. Randie specializes in traumatic grief and helping people who have experienced the death of a child of any age. She co-authored the book, When Your Child Dies: Tools for Mending Parents' Broken Hearts. Listen here.

July 5th - This podcast episode is focused on cumulative grief. Mother and son, Betty and Joey Dowling, share the story of three separate deaths in their family, sudden and expected, and how it is difficult to process and separate multiple deaths within a short period of time. Listen here.

CRISIS SUPPORT AFTER UNEXPECTED DEATH

Did you know Dr. Jennifer R. Levin and Therapy Heals have been providing crisis support after a sudden or unexpected death (in-person and virtually), to corporate, school, and community organizations for over 10 years? After unexpected death, employees, staff and students often experience physical and emotional symptoms that impact work performance, and those with a history of grief or trauma may also require additional support.

Businesses may experience increased use of sick time and higher rates of attrition that may impact productivity, stall projects, and increase the risk of legal complications. Schools and community organizations can experience adverse consequences among staff and employees and may need help to care for those they care for. How your business, school, or organization responds to a crisis will be an indication, to everyone you serve, of how you value your employees and/or those in your care. Professional guidance during a crisis provides optimal healing. If your business, school, or community organization has experienced sudden or unexpected death, contact Therapy Heals for immediate support at jennifer@therapyheals.com, or text (626) 695-4211.

ADVANCE PLANNING FOR UNEXPECTED DEATH

Therapy Heals has a new resource entitled An Unexpected Death SOP: Response and Preparation for the Workplace. It is a toolset and playbook of sorts - designed to help corporations and businesses be prepared and ready in the event of an unexpected death in the workplace. These tools and resources will seamlessly enable company leaders to respond in the most beneficial way to the impacted employee's family and as importantly, the entire organization and staff. The SOP includes a video and training guidebook: Preparing Leadership for Sudden and Unexpected Death in the Workplace, five employee grief resource sheets and 7 Essential Steps - Implementation for Sudden or Unexpected Death in the Workplace. Preparation for the unexpected invests in employee, staff, and student wellness, saves time, resources, and prepares organizations to lead during stressful times. For more information, please email Dr. Levin at jennifer@therapyheals.com directly, or click here.

PROFESSIONAL GRIEF EDUCATION

If you are a clinician, first responder, or professional working in the field of grief, Therapy Heals Professional Grief Educational Program is launching soon!

The Foundations of Grief will be available in September 2023. This introductory grief course will provide students with in-depth information about the diverse types of grief and how grief impacts individuals differently by age and across the life span. The course also explores major grief theories used to understand the grieving process, and theoretical approaches used to guide treatment. Finally, special issues such as cultural humility in grief, continuing bonds with the deceased, and post-traumatic growth will be explored. Click here to learn more about course offerings and continuing education units.

WHIDBEY ISLAND GRIEF RETREAT - AUGUST 5-7th, 2023

Last call for the final two spaces remaining for the Whidbey Island Grief Retreat, August 5-7th in Washington State! Participants attending the retreat will engage in a process of discovery and reflection. We have already begun the process of building community before we meet in August. The retreat is focused on long-term healing and begins with an assessment of the change accompanied by grief, making space to evaluate new identities, and we are using an innovative process to help participants envision a new way to look at their future. For more information, click here.