Compassionate Bereavement Care
When a traumatic death occurs, such as the death of a child or loved one under violent or traumatic/sudden circumstances, not just any counselor, physician, nurse, clergy, or therapist will understand the complexities and challenges of grieving family members. It is critical to find a provider who specializes in traumatic grief. An effective provider will walk with you, help you connect with your feelings, and help you discover ways to cope with the overwhelming sense of loss.
Formal counseling isn’t always necessary, but for some it can be helpful, particularly when the provider has been well-trained in traumatic grief. This training, however, is exceedingly rare. A provider who is certified in Compassionate Bereavement Care® may help at a much deeper level, addressing specific needs, nuances and feelings that can negatively affect daily functioning and further add to the heartbreak surrounding your loved one’s death.
Lisa is certified in Compassionate Bereavement Care® and can provide spiritual support on the journey through traumatic grief and catastrophic loss. Other providers can be found here. Lisa is trauma-resourced with training in crisis and disaster response as well as moving through the acute and longer-term grieving process. Lisa incorporates and suggests varying modalities, including embodied and nature connection; tending to our depleted nervous systems is an essential part of healing.
Lisa takes a unique approach, becoming a companion as you grieve. She also draws from her personal experience of catastrophic loss, allowing for a particular understanding of the excruciating journey so few can comprehend. Lisa offers immersive retreat-like sessions (in natural settings whenever possible if you live locally or are willing to travel, or virtually via Zoom) designed to help you feel the comfort and relief of compassionate grief support.
Many clients seek this kind of support after the initial shock wave of loss has passed and they are working through the ripples of impact in their lives. Lisa is also skilled in helping parents support their children through grief while tending to themselves. She can further help clients identify needs for integrated healing which may include referrals for additional therapeutic modalities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What if my loss isn’t “catastrophic” or doesn’t even involve a physical death, but my heart is still broken and I need support…can I still work with you? Of course! Our society has so few structures for compassionate grief support and integration. While I have specific training around supporting those who have experienced the sudden and traumatic death of a loved one, the healing and supportive elements can be engaged in the wake of any loss.
But you aren’t a psychotherapist, how can you offer grief support? That is correct: I am not a psychotherapist and thus do not offer psychotherapy. I do not see grief as a pathology requiring clinical treatment and in most cases, it does not. It is also quite rare for therapists to have specialized training in traumatic grief. If a client is struggling in ways that indicate a psychological or psychiatric referral is needed, I will absolutely make that recommendation.
- Do you offer grief rituals or presiding at memorials? Yes: if you or your family wish to create a one-time or recurring ritual of grief or commemoration, I would be honored to support you in that.
- Do you work with groups who are not actively grieving but want to develop more grief-informed approaches to care (e.g., for clergy, health care professionals, etc…)? Yes, please contact me to discuss possibilities.
**PANDEMIC 2022: During the ongoing waves of grief and loss we are experiencing as Covid-19 continues to devastate families and communities, Lisa is especially committed to providing grief support and Compassionate Bereavement Care during this time. Reduced rate and no-cost sessions (via phone or web/Zoom) remain available.**
Lisa welcomes, celebrates and honors LGBTIQA+ persons in all aspects of her support offerings.