If you are in need of support, please refer to this list of resources below: Crisis Resources Emergency: 911 These numbers are provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to change. All numbers are valid for the United States. To find a qualified therapist, go to Psychology Today’s website, and follow the simple steps to find a therapist in your area. Here’s the link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us    This is a world-wide resource. If you’re not in the US, go to the upper right hand corner of the page and change the country. National Suicide Prevention Lifel ..read more

When the shock and numbness begin to wear off, reality starts to sink in around the edges. When it happens is different for everyone. Sometimes it’s a few weeks, sometimes it’s a few months. There is no timetable. Almost everyone experiences anxiety. There are many ways we try to alleviate it. For me, it was walking. What is it for you? It could be binge watching Netflix or drinking too much or eating too much or sleeping too much or cleaning the house over and over or keeping yourself so busy you don’t have the time to think. That’s the whole point – it’s hard to be in the new world of After ..read more

“One of the best Grief books of all time” – Book Authority “You Are Not Alone” is a must read for anyone dealing with extreme loss, and a recommended book for the rest of us. It’s a wonderful combination of story and guide. Organized in a way that makes it both a riveting read, as well as a practical how-to book on rebuilding one’s life after devastating loss.”    — Yitzhak Berger, Ph.D., CRCAdjunct Associate Professor, Applied Psychology Dept., New York University What sets this [book] apart is the inclusion of explanations for very specific aspects of the grieving p ..read more

Today I’m sharing an article addressing the deep grief people experience when they lose a pet. It offers helpful suggestions on what to say and what not to say to someone grieving this kind of loss. It also give suggestions on how you can be supportive. Remember, it’s important to not compare or judge anyone’s grief. Obviously, the death of a loved one is one of the deepest and most traumatic events in life. However, there are many kinds of deep and painful losses that fall into the category of what’s called disenfranchised grief, and the loss of a pet is one of them. As many of you who read m ..read more

Today, I’m pleased and honored to share a wonderful guest post by Bryan Jung. Bryan reached out to me just before the holidays, and I’m so glad he did. He is an inspiration, following his passion to help those who have lost a parent as a child or teenager. We both strongly believe that grief and mental health should be less stigmatized. I’m so encouraged to see how mental health is increasingly becoming part of the national and global conversation. I love storytelling and believe telling our stories is part of healing. So does Bryan. After reading his story, I’m sure you’ll agree. -Debbie ..read more

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. This poem resonates with me because I believe that spirit lives on. In my book, You Are Not Alone: A Heartfelt Guide for Grief, Healing, a ..read more

I love the holidays with all its rituals, traditions and celebrations. It’s a time for family and friends, for coming together, to be thankful, to celebrate, and to share. It’s how I felt before my first husband died more than twenty years ago, and it’s how I feel now. However, when he died in late October, right before the holidays, I felt as if I would never be able to get through the holiday season that began a month later with Thanksgiving, continuing on to Christmas and the celebration of a New Year. Eventually I was able to feel the joy and sparkle again, but it took time. What help ..read more

I came across this article with advice to help those who are grieving from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I feel that many of these points are useful for anyone who is grieving any loss, whether it’s recent or an older loss. My favorite point is number four: there is no right way to grieve. It’s important to remember that you may feel one way one day and completely different the next. No one can tell us how to grieve. And in number 9, we’re reminded to increase our ‘toolbox’ of coping skills. Please check out my toolbox with simple techniques for relieving anxiety, stress ..read more

In this time of pandemic, uncertainty, and loss, many of us are struggling with grief, anxiety, depression, and more. Finding a qualified mental health professional for support is more important than ever. And, you might be wondering, how do I find the right therapist for me? What are my options? I was honored to contribute to this excellent article by Terri Taylor for Wired Magazine. It’s so helpful and informative that I want to share it with all of you. The post How to Find the Right Therapist appeared first on Grief to Gratitude | You are Not Alone - A Heartfelt Guide for Grie ..read more

An incredible number of people have been buying my book in either paperback, Kindle, or Audible over the last month. My website has experienced a significant spike in traffic, with over 71,000 visitors in just three weeks, despite no increase in advertising or marketing. This is showing me just how many grieving and hurting people are searching to find help for the tremendous mourning and pain experienced in these times. It’s not only the pandemic and the millions of people who have been affected by it. People are suffering from all kinds of grief, from illness and deaths unrelated t ..read more