Nancy and Dan share their personal grief journey, discussing the transformative power of finding joy in sorrow. Mental health therapist Brittany Squillis highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring all forms of grief, including ambiguous losses. They explore different types of grief, societal challenges, and the significance of creating safe spaces for healing and self-reflection.
Acknowledge primary and secondary losses, redefine connections with deceased.
Recognize ambiguous losses, validate living losses, and navigate disenfranchised grief.
Deep dives
Navigating grief and honoring the transformative nature of loss
Loss, particularly the death of a loved one, signifies a profound journey through grief. Brittany Squillis, a mental health therapist, specializes in guiding individuals to redefine and sustain their connections with the deceased. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging primary and secondary losses, such as the impact on relationships and one's sense of safety. Brittany's mission through Best Self Therapy is to instill hope in grieving individuals, allowing them to view and navigate grief towards living a fulfilling life.
Exploring the nuances of grief: Ambiguous and disenfranchised losses
Understanding the various forms of grief beyond traditional bereavement, Brittany discusses ambiguous losses, where individuals experience living losses or losses of identity. These often remain unrecognized or invalidated, contributing to disenfranchised grief. Examples include grieving a loved one who is emotionally absent or navigating the loss of job or retirement. By shedding light on these less acknowledged forms of grief, Brittany aims to create awareness and provide a safe space for individuals to understand and cope with their unique losses.
Encouraging hope and creating meaningful grief journeys
Injecting hope in the grieving process, Brittany encourages individuals to find meaning in their losses, steering them towards a path where grief can be carried alongside life. Hope evolves from mourning what was to accepting the new reality, focusing on redefining life with the loss. Through introspection, exploration of legacies, and gradual acceptance, individuals can mold grief into a journey of growth, resilience, and newfound purpose.
Utilizing resources and tools to navigate grief
Brittany's podcast and therapeutic approaches embody a transformative space for grief exploration. By sharing stories, strategies, and providing complimentary resources like podcasts, social media engagement, and free consultations, Brittany facilitates a continuum of grief education and support. Viewers are encouraged to engage with varied tools, from therapeutic sessions to creative expressions like dance, music, and journaling, to navigate and heal through their grief journeys.