7 Ways to Help a Parent Who Has Lost a Spouse
by Jennifer Messelt, LMSW, LGSW In my 14 years as grief specialist at Hospice of the Red River Valley, I’ve sat across from many grieving spouses. It’s been a privilege …
Category: Grief
Loneliness: Grief’s Unintended Guest
by Jennifer Messelt, LMSW, LGSW After a loved one has died, you may feel like you are consumed by your grief—and often loneliness—especially if you had a close relationship with …
Finding Solace in Expressive Arts — Part 3: There’s a Song in the Air
by Connie DeKrey, LBSW, CT As long as I can remember, music was a part of my life. My parents, during their rare moments of rest, would serenade us with …
Finding Solace in Expressive Arts — Part 2: A Hands-on Approach
by Connie DeKrey, LBSW, CT When I was a very small child, the favorite gift I received at Christmas was my first set of Play-Doh. Naturally I was drawn to …
Finding Solace in Expressive Arts — Part 1: In the Garden
by Connie DeKrey, LBSW, CT The role of expressive arts in helping individuals move through their journey of grief is an idea that has always excited me. I have witnessed …
3 Practical Suggestions to Help Your Child Through Grief
by Kriston Wenzel, LBSW, CT Helping children and young adults face life challenges can be difficult, and adding a death to the mix makes it even more complicated. Communication is …
Grieving the Loss of a Father – On Father’s Day
Father’s Day can be a difficult time for someone grieving the loss of either parent. It also can be awkward for friends and family wondering what to do with—or say …
3 Ways to Use Mindfulness During Your Grief
by Stephanie Pritchard, LPC, NCC
Mindfulness has become a hot topic in recent years even though it’s been practiced for centuries. It’s a tool that can be used to address a variety of challenges that people face, such as anxiety, depression, overeating, problems in relationships, chronic pain and grief.
Fundamentally, mindfulness is more than having a general awareness of what’s happening...
5 Ways to Support a Grieving Person
by Heather Larson, LSW, CT
Knowing how to help a grieving friend or family member who has experienced loss through death can be challenging, but there are some things you can do to support someone going through this difficult time. The following are five practical ways to support a grieving person in your life.
Be Present
First things first, show up. I...
Balancing Holiday Traditions After the Death of a Loved One
by Janna Benson Kontz, MDiv
Holidays and grief form an interesting tension for each of us after the death of a loved one. We feel the tension between wanting to celebrate and never wanting to celebrate again. We feel the tension between wanting to be happy and feeling guilty for being happy. We feel the tension between traditions that included...
