5 posts tagged “grief”
The Grief Recovery Group, which most grieving people think of as a bereavement support and counseling group is just wrapping up in the Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa area of Orange County. Yes, I know it sounds a little goofy to cite all those cities, but if you actually live or work here, then you know that they are all within a few blocks of each other. I always have to describe the area and workshop location to grieving clients so they can load it into their Garmins and get here without getting too lost. Because of course, many people grieving the loss of a loved one have a tendency to get a bit distracted. Some of us describe it as not being fully present, not 100% present. That is just to be real about WHAT Grief looks, acts, and feels like.
One widow who worked with me described the work as "Priceless!" when she completed it, she had found it so helpful.
I have been fielding a number of inquiries from a variety of grievers, those dealing with a suicide in the family, parent death, Pet Loss Bereavement, as well as Divorce Grief. Indeed, I do take one-on-one clients to give people more personalized attention and more time.
Next week I will be in Las Vegas right after the Labor Day weekend and meeting with some grievers in the Pahrump, NV area.
Until then, stay well.
April Braswell
Widows Bereavement Counseling, Henderson, Las Vegas
As a certified Grief Recovery Specialist, one of the loss events which often seems to be almost shunted to the side if the death of a beloved animal companion. When our pet dies, indeed, often our relationship with our animal companions are often ones of unconditional love. There was all the time, affection, love, licks and cuddles. And we miss them. Pet Bereavement for a griever is another loss event. In the Grief Recovery Process (from the Grief Recovery Institute), we do not compare losses. Each relationship and loss is unique.
Indeed, grievers want the loss acknowledged. However, often the bereaved are looking for is a compassionate and knowledgeable person to help them practically with the emotions surrounding the loss event. The Grief Recovery Program provides a compassionately supportive environment and sequence of practical action steps in a seminar workshop format (typically 7 sessions for One on One, and 12 two hour sessions for a group workshop)
Grievers who are grappling with Pet Bereavement and who find that they really can't talk about it elsewhere are welcomed compassionately and with open arms at the Grief Recovery Seminar. Pet Loss Grievers approach me both via the internet as well as in person. They are almost dismayed to find how much the loss of their beloved pet affected them. Grieving over a loss event is natural and normal.
This summer 2009, is made available in Orange County, including serving the cities of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Long Beach and the surrounding areas.
Best regards,
April Braswell
Now that I am in Orange County in the Huntington Beach/Newport Beach/Costa Mesa area, as a certified Grief Recovery Specialist, I am being asked if I am offering the Grief Recover Process here locally. Yes I am. Many grievers are searching the internet under such topics as bereavement, grief support, and bereavement support groups. And I am always find widow support groups.
Below please find The Grief Recovery Institute's co-founder, John James, talk about how the Grief Recovery Seminar (he refers to it as the Grief Recovery Outreach Program) differs from "Support" groups whose focus is solely to talk about the loss and the grief.
Best regards,
April Braswell
Well, insert cuss word of choice, today I'm actually pulling together the memorial service for my father which will be Thursday at the First Presby Church of Santa Monica.
It's a good thing I'm finally getting a little unblocked which means, yes, thank you, TEARS!
SUCH a good thing that I didn't bother with mascara today because even waterproof mascara is only SO waterproof before it's flaking off into and under my eyes. And I turn such a lovely Irish reddish blotchy color when I cry. It's part of my being so dmnd genuine. I'm so transparent, why bother to TRY to cover it up?
Will be on the road tomorrow with a nice leisurely drive to LA. Felt that if I was not too disoriented (all 4 of us are disoriented right now - huh?) that the drive would be therapeutic.
This is part of what drives me to help people to develop both their primary love (marriage, sig other) relationships as well as to work on their communications skills to foster intimacy in their lives. I've been thru so many deaths recently that I KNOW the brevity of life and what matters and what we are left with. yes, we need to make money - and it's part of how we prioritize our time - but $ comes and goes. I can always make more. Time is the limited commodity and in the end it's our loving relationships which serve as our legacy.
God bless,
April Braswell
Freud was right
April 3, 2008
All girls are so strongly influenced by their fathers. In my case, I married a dear sweet version of my brother. And today my father, John Y. Barry, died. I'll comment on it more later. This weekend I am introspective. He is why I love to receive Pink Roses. For my 16th birthday, he sent me a dozen pink roses to me at school. I received them in the adminstrative offices. I felt like A PRINCESS. To this day, when men give me beautiful roses, I feel like A PRINCESS! Don't you? Shouldn't every woman? God bless and God speed. April Braswell
