How to Move Forward Without Letting Go: Navigating Grief, Trauma & Rebuilding After Tragedy, with Grief & Trauma Therapist Gina Moffa
Feb 18, 2025
auto_awesome
Join grief and trauma therapist Gina Moffa, who has over 20 years of experience and is the author of "Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go," as she unpacks the complexities of grief. She discusses the common societal pitfalls of being 'grief illiterate' and emphasizes the importance of authentic support for those grieving. Gina addresses how families can navigate loss together, the balance of grief and joy, and why self-compassion is crucial in healing. This conversation reshapes how we view and handle loss, making it a must-listen.
Grief is a communal experience that can affect families and friends, highlighting the importance of mutual support during tragedies.
There is a critical need for greater grief literacy in society to foster understanding and validation of individual grief experiences.
Children's understanding of grief must be approached with honesty, allowing them to express difficult emotions safely while providing reassurance.
Deep dives
Commitment to Health and Wellness
The speaker has taken her health and wellness journey seriously for almost a year, emphasizing a commitment to consistent workouts and increased protein intake. This transformation has included finding effective ways to meet daily protein goals, notably through the use of protein powder. After considerable trial and error, she successfully located a protein powder that is both palatable and nutritious. This choice has greatly enhanced her daily nutrition, making it easier to incorporate protein into her meals, snacks, and even desserts.
Exploring Grief and Trauma
A significant theme discussed revolves around the complexities of grief and trauma, particularly in the aftermath of community tragedies. The importance of understanding grief not just as the loss of a loved one, but also as a communal experience shared among families and friends, is highlighted. The conversation touches on the long-lasting effects of collective trauma, encouraging listeners to acknowledge their feelings and those of others during such difficult times. The mention of personal experiences adds depth, showcasing the emotional weight that can accompany loss, even for those who may not have lost something materially significant.
Building a Grief-Literate Society
The dialogue emphasizes the need for greater grief literacy in society, advocating for more awareness and understanding of how people navigate loss. The speaker expresses frustration at the common tendency to minimize someone's grief by comparing it with other losses or highlighting the positives within negative situations. It stresses the importance of allowing individuals to fully process their grief without the pressure of finding a silver lining right away. Through education and compassion, it becomes possible to foster an environment where authentic emotions are welcomed and validated.
Coping with Grief in Families
Practical advice is offered on how families can cope with grief, focusing on the value of regular check-ins to discuss feelings in a non-judgmental setting. It is noted that grief affects everyone differently, and it is essential to provide space for each person's unique experience. Acknowledging that children's perceptions of safety can be impacted, parenting during tough times demands honesty about feelings while still providing reassurances. The importance of teaching children that it is okay to express difficult emotions contributes to a healthier understanding of grief.
Navigating Loss and Building Community
The conversation highlights the importance of building community connections in times of loss and collective grief. It discusses how neighbors and friends support each other when tragedies strike, creating a sense of togetherness that fosters healing. The significance of shared experiences in Reinforcing communal bonds is presented as a crucial element in moving forward together. This sense of solidarity acts as a foundation for rebuilding lives and providing emotional support for those affected by loss.
Grief is something we all experience, yet most of us don’t know how to talk about it, process it, or support others through it. In light of the recent LA wildfires and devastating tragedies, this conversation is more important than ever. Today, we’re diving deep into grief, trauma, and healing with licensed grief and trauma therapist Gina Moffa, who has spent over 20 years helping individuals and families navigate loss. Gina is the author of the bestselling book Moving On Doesn’t Mean Letting Go and a leading voice in grief literacy. In this episode, she breaks down why society is often “grief illiterate” and how we can shift the way we approach loss. We also explore how families can grieve together, how to help children process loss in an age-appropriate way, and what it truly means to heal. Gina shares invaluable insights on self-care during grief, why healing doesn’t mean forgetting, and how to support loved ones without unintentionally causing harm. Whether you’re navigating a personal loss, supporting someone through grief, or simply want to better understand how loss shapes us all, this episode will change the way you think about grief.