The Idea of the Week
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and likewise, there is no wrong time to grieve. The holidays can magnify the sense of loss and make our loss feel heavier, tender, and more challenging. The pressure to be festive and joyful can be overwhelming. You may feel like withdrawing or isolating, whether it’s to “preserve the holiday cheer” or because everything feels like it takes more effort.
Is your goal for the holidays “to just get through them”? It feels as though you have to brace for the impact of two intense sides: the joyous holiday season and the magnifying loss it brings with it. In this 11-minute video, Jo McRogers from Grief Support That Works shares three concepts to consider as you brace yourself for the holiday season: compartmentalize, give permission, and plan and prepare.
The Practice of the Week
How do we cope with loss during a joyous time? The 8-minute article from Verywell Mind outlines how you can keep the spirit of a loved one alive and honor them during this season and how to lean into your supports.
We are bringing back an article we shared last year on 28 Ways to Cope with Grief During the Holiday Season and a 4-minute video on How to Cope with Grief this Holiday Season. One coping tip we highlighted is to give yourself permission to feel your feelings as they show up. It is okay to experience sadness in one moment and then feel the holiday cheer in the next. You do not need to rush through your grief, resist it, or push it away.
“Resistance to grief increases suffering and can even go as far as to expand it to the point of distorting what the holidays can offer us in the here and now. [… When we resist the grief, it allows] the holidays [to] take on a focus of avoidance, losing the light that they may still offer us.”
– Mark Bigley, LCSW
Stay tuned for the second part of our grief during the holidays series next week, and in the meantime, check out our Facebook or Instagram page!
News of the Week
Paint & Process
Young Adult Support Group
for Ages 18-24
Art-making is often therapeutic and a wonderful way to relax and process the events going on in your life. Join Melissa, LCAT, LMHC, and Kayla, MHC-LP, for this young adult support group and chat while you create art.
Meg Tobin, LMHC is now an End of Life Doula!
End-of-life doulas provide emotional and physical support, education about the dying process, preparation for what’s to come, and guidance while grieving. Though Meg is not doing traditional doula work, she will work with end-of-life clients and their families utilizing ketamine.
DID YOU KNOW?
OVS may be able to help if you have unreimbursed crime-related expenses, such as medical bills, counseling costs, and funeral expenses, or assist with loss of earnings or support. They can help pay for therapy for crime victims, including Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy!
Another Upcoming Retreat
Unlocking Your Mind:
A Journey to Self-Discovery
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Retreat
Two Ketamine Journeys—lots of deep dives into experiential therapy incorporating meditation, writing, art making, yoga, and other body-centered modalities. Step away from the stressors of daily life and fully immerse yourself in the therapeutic process. We will use Ketamine and experiential therapy to break through the stuck places to find more freedom, pace, and motivation!
Zoom Preparation Session: Thursday, January 25th from 6-8 pm.
In-person: Thursday, February 1st from 4-9 pm.
In-person: Friday, February 2nd from 8:30 am-8 pm.
In-person: Saturday, February 3rd from 9 am-5 pm.
In-person: Sunday, February 4th from 8am to 9am.
Zoom Integration Session: Thursday, February 8th from 6-8 pm.
You may be able to finance the retreat. Use the QR Code below to see if you prequalify!
Are you ready to elevate your team’s well-being?
Breathing Space Psychotherapy can offer your company a partnership to provide personalized support for every member of your company. Our counseling team offers confidential and expert guidance to help navigate both personal and professional challenges.
Are you ready? Contact Jackie at [email protected] to explore tailored solutions for your team. Together, we’ll create a support contract that reflects our commitment to a healthier, more resilient, and thriving workplace.
The Thought of the Week
Wishing you a peaceful week!
