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 be a separation or divorce, the loss of a spouse, a child, a parent, a friend, a job, or a beloved pet. It can even show up abruptly after years of repressing it. From my own experience of losing 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, longing, loneliness, or even pangs of guilt. 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.
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
When books aren’t enough, or if you need more support in grieving your loss, therapy can be powerful. It is a safe space where you get to talk through your grief when everyone around you has moved on- and you are feeling alone and stuck in your process.