Why Talking About Grief Can Be Complicated

I still get hung up on “The Elevator Pitch” - that quick introduction of myself and what I do for work. 

“Thanatology” is a mouthful. Maybe better described as a mind-full.

I'm a specialist in a multi-disciplinary field dedicated to better understanding death, dying, grief, loss, and bereavement.

I use evidence-based practices, current literature, research, theory, and applied practice to support and educate groups and individuals who are navigating grief.

Most times describing what I do professionally results in my conversation partners experiencing a montage of depressing thoughts and images. Every type of grief and loss they can either imagine or have experienced is then amplified as I go on to explain my area of interest is Disenfranchised Grief - which is a type of grief that often isn’t openly acknowledged, socially validated or publicly mourned, like family estrangement, relationship breakdown, incarceration, poverty…

| Isn’t that depressing?

Yes, and. 

Yes, and talking about grief is healthy. Acknowledging grief can help people process and accept difficult outcomes. Sharing grief stories can reduce isolation as well as maintain and strengthen connections. Expressing emotions improves mental and physical health. Talking about grief can be immensely validating.

What I do:

• I support and educate individuals and groups navigating grief and end-of-life

• I offer in-person and online appointments

• I host youth and adult workshops

I use a mix of education, facilitation techniques, hands-on activities, exercises, and discussions. You set your own pace to explore and participate.

What I don’t do:

• I don’t offer medical care

• I don’t offer therapy (I do offer referrals)

• I don’t prescribe medications

The majority of grief is non-clinical and considered a healthy or “normal” response to a loss. And, grief is EVERYWHERE. Instead of trying to “fix” or “cure” your grief, I support you as you acknowledge and validate your grief by exploring thoughts and feelings without judgement. I help you find ways to grieve that feel right for you, in your own time, and I maintain a safe space where you can rediscover yourself, your priorities and beliefs.

I tell clients that even though what we talk about is serious, the conversations won’t always be joyless. We spend a lot of time talking about your favourite things. We talk about the things that really, really matter. 

Depending on which services you book, the space will look different. For most individual and group sessions, it looks like this:

If you are attending a workshop, it might look more like this:

In both set-ups, I invite you to get curious about yourself.

You can find me at 299 Commercial Street, North Sydney (Above Escape Outdoors). I'm the last door at the end of the hall.

Sometimes this work is really hard. All of the time it’s worth it.

That’s it. That’s the pitch.