Grief is dark and painful. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away. It's too much to work through all on your own. Friends mean well but often don't know how to help.
Using the research and experience of J. William Worden (Worden's Tasks), David Kessler (The six elements we need in grief), and Margaret Stroebe & Henk Schut (Dual Process Model), you will join together with others who have also experienced deep loss as you all work toward healing. But please know that "healed" does not mean "as good as new." Healing on your grief journey is like your body healing from a major trauma: the goal is to progress from open wound to scar. Some scars are barely noticeable, but it's possible that this one will be more like a scar that has healed around where a limb used to be. You will likely not be who you were while your person was alive, but by learning to use healthy processing and coping strategies, you can live a fulfilling life in their absence, remembering your person with more love than pain.
Olsen, Monica M.: - Monica M. Olsen is on her own lifelong grief recovery journey after losing her 15-year-old daughter, Lila, to suicide in August of 2020. In addition to authoring this guide, she finds meaning in her professional life by running the 501(c)(3) Live Oak Mental Wellness Project as its Executive Director, often incorporating her training as a Certified Peer Support Specialist by using her own lived experience to support the people around her, as well serving as co-chair for her Service Area's Department of Mental Health Leadership Team, being a DMH + UCLA Early Childhood Fellow, and collaborating with other mental health professionals to bring new programs to life.
Towle, Claire: - This guide has been clinically reviewed by Claire Towle, LCSW. Claire Towle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over 30 years of experience combining direct clinical care, supervision, teaching, and management responsibilities. She has been certified in trauma, bereavement and Thanatology. Claire has worked for in and outpatient medical settings and is experienced in working with children youth, adults and families. Ms. Towle was the Director of The Gathering Place, a center for loss and life transitions, and was the Associate Director of Bereavement Services for Providence Trinity Care Hospice. She had a private psychotherapy practice specializing in grief and loss. Claire has provided multiple presentations on grief and loss, health and mental health topics. As a lecturer with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, she taught graduate MSW students. In 2022, Claire co-founded Taking Time: South Bay (Taking Time), a non-profit bereavement center, serving the South Bay of Los Angeles. She is CEO and Clinical Director of the program. Taking Time (takingtime.org) provides one-one bereavement counseling, bereavement support groups and information and referrals. The program is also contracted to provide bereavement services for all cove Beach Cities, an innovative youth wellness center serving youth ages 12-25.
