A mom came to see me for therapy worried about her 12 year old son. Since her husband’s death her son played basketball. Lots of basketball. Morning, noon and night! When she would try to sit down with him and talk about his father’s death he would clam up and shut down. He didn’t want any part of it. This […]
An iPad App for Grieving Children – John Lemasters
Throughout my career, while serving as both a pastor and bereavement specialist, I have helped support thousands of families who were mourning precious loved ones. Sadly, the grief dynamic for individuals within most of those families was one of isolation and silence. This silence isn’t surprising. It’s just so, so difficult to talk about death […]
Grief: Closure and Forgiveness
by Bill Chadwick I have always heard the word “closure” used by victims of crime, particularly those that involved death. During the O.J. Simpson trial, I heard it used many times by the press and by Mr. Goldman, ie., ..”we want to get some closure to what has happened.” My 21 year old son, Michael, […]
Excerpt from Supporting Children After a Suicide Loss: A guide for parents and caregivers
by Sarah S. Montgomery, LCSW-C and Susan M. Coale, LCSW-C “There are universal themes common to all types of grief, such as sadness, anxiety, anger or confusion. Given the generally sudden and unexpected nature of suicide, children’s emotions may be more intense, and questions particular to suicide will likely arise. There is the shock and […]