Compassionate Grief Therapy in San Francisco, CA
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Grief and loss comes in many forms. It may the heartbreaking unbearable traumatic loss of a spouse, a child, the death of parent, a friend, a job, or a beloved pet. It can show up as the loss of a relationship due to estrangement or divorce; environmental catastrophes and fear of what the future may bring; the horror of genocides and war, gun violence, racism and injustices; disconnection from one’s culture or sense of belonging; the loss of a life you expected and did not receive. It can even show up abruptly after years of repressing it. The pain or inability to face the pain may feel intolerable and suffocating, or at times, so hard to access you feel stuck in a state of perpetual numbness and isolation.
From my own life experience of traumatic loss of a parent as a child, I have learned that giving yourself the space and permission to fully grieve your loss is a precious and necessary step towards healing. It can also catalyze a deep respect for impermanence and unconditional love and appreciation for the relationships we do have. Grief comes in many shapes and forms. Sometimes despair, sometimes anger, fear, longing, loneliness, or even pangs of guilt and shame. There is no set amount of time it takes to get over a loss; the best we can do is to gently turn towards it and see what emerges.
I have been specializing in grief and loss since 2015 and would be honored to be your companion through these rough waters. Feel free to reach out to see if 1:1 grief therapy, trauma therapy, group work, or community rituals would be helpful for you in this tender time.
Books can be loyal companions when we are grieving the loss of a loved one. Here are a few that I strongly recommend:
The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller
It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok by Megan Devine
How to Survive the Loss of a Love by Peter McWilliams, Harold Bloomfield, M.D., Melba Colgrove, Ph.D
Unattended Sorrow by Stephen Levine
Children’s Books
Remember the Secret by Eisabeth Kübler-Ross
The Fall of Freddie and the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
Where Is My Daddy by Alexandria Romero
Here is my guided meditation for grief that you can find here
Here is an article I wrote on the challenges of grieving in a busy world.
If you would like to access my talk series grief from the Simple Habit Wellness App, please click here.
Here is a Google Doc of virtual grief groups
Grief Gatherings & Groups: Please visit Grief Medicine for upcoming offerings
Traumatic Loss In-Person Group Therapy
Tuesdays, beginning Fall 2024 (Please email to get added to the waiting list)
For some of us, there are moments where our lives change forever, and we have no choice or say in the matter. Losing a loved one in a traumatic and unexpected way is one of these moments. This group is here for you to process your loss and honor your loved one in a welcoming, inviting space, with the help of some psychoeducation, writing, art, and group sharing, to help you move across the threshold into this forever changed identity.
