Survivors of Suicide Loss

November 19th was International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day this year. Being a loved one for someone who has completed suicide is unimaginably hard. It is such a complex grief. So how do we move on with our lives so we don’t stay stuck? How do we continue to hold love for our child, parent, …

Enjoying the Holidays

“Enjoying the holidays.” As a kid, you probably got super excited about them with thoughts of eating too much candy on Halloween, dozing off into a turkey coma while watching football or a parade, or counting down the days to Christmas. As an adult, you may identify with the common, collective groan surrounding the upcoming …

‘Tis the season to… cry, grieve, to feel blue.

So much of what we hear and see in this season is reminiscent of joy and cheer.  It can almost feel like an expectation.  But what if we just can’t? This season can actually be challenging to get through at all, even more so with a cheerful mood.  It reminds of us of who we …

Grateful for the Hard Things

One of my favorite things to do as an adoptive parent is talk about those taboo topics that we aren’t “allowed” to discuss with the general public, because… well, a lot of people just don’t get it.  How the systems are taxing and the people are exhausting.  Those are the conversation most people understand.  But …

Mental Health Support for the Holidays: How can I manage stress?

Is the holiday season hard for you instead of joyous? For many survivors of trauma, holidays may represent anniversaries and reminders of the past hurt or traumatic experiences. For those individuals even the slight prospect of visiting family or friends can bring up feelings of shame, fear, dread or ambivalence, leaving them trapped and unable …

Mental Health Support for the Holidays: Is it ok to isolate? What if I don’t want to see my family?

Is the holiday season hard for you instead of joyous? For many survivors of trauma, holidays may represent anniversaries and reminders of the past hurt or traumatic experiences. For those individuals even the slight prospect of visiting family or friends can bring up feelings of shame, fear, dread or ambivalence, leaving them trapped and unable …

Mental Health Support for the Holidays: How do I take care of myself during the holidays?

Is the holiday season hard for you instead of joyous? For many survivors of trauma, holidays may represent anniversaries and reminders of the past hurt or traumatic experiences. For those individuals even the slight prospect of visiting family or friends can bring up feelings of shame, fear, dread or ambivalence, leaving them trapped and unable …

Mental Health Support for the Holidays: Why do I feel so sad? Angry? Anxious?

Is the holiday season hard for you instead of joyous? For many survivors of trauma, holidays may represent anniversaries and reminders of the past hurt or traumatic experiences. For those individuals even the slight prospect of visiting family or friends can bring up feelings of shame, fear, dread or ambivalence, leaving them trapped and unable …