When we lose a loved one, that loss will stay with us, in one way or another.  I don’t believe that we ever “get over” the loss of someone who was deeply important to us, even though we hopefully find ways to reinvest in the present and find joy and meaning in our lives moving […]

So many of us are feeling distress and grief about the school shooting in Florida, and about the countless other violent incidents which have taken place recently in our world. Our hearts are with the family and friends of those who died, and we struggle to make sense of acts which are senseless. For those […]

Valentine’s Day may be difficult for those who have lost a partner. It can also be a painful holiday for anyone who is coping with a loss, because this day is a celebration of love and togetherness. From the complex loss perspective, I am thinking of disenfranchised losses, or the many types of losses which might be […]

This post was prompted by a recent conversation with a friend (who has experienced complicated loss.) She told me that she did a lot of reading about grief and trauma as a part of her healing process, but that most of her reading material did not address the concept of positive growth after loss and […]

The holidays might be an especially challenging time of year for those of us who are grieving a complex loss. We may not feel like celebrating. The holidays might bring up many memories of our lost loved one, and facing the festivities and traditions without them can be very painful. Planning ahead might be a […]