Grief: 4 Resources to Help a Grieving Friend

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When someone you care about is struggling with grief and loss, it can be hard to know what to say or do to help them. In this little nugget of help, I point you in the direction of four of my favorite resources to help friends and family who may be struggling with grief and loss.
I share resources like Megan Devine’s Refuge in Grief, the book No Time for Tears by Judy Heath, and how to help your friend connect with professional support.

Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC, and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.

About Me:
I’m Emma McAdam. I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I have worked in various settings of change and growth since 2004. My experience includes juvenile corrections, adventure therapy programs, wilderness therapy programs, an eating disorder treatment center, a residential treatment center, and I currently work in an outpatient therapy clinic.

In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
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[biljam]

I am fully aware grief is destroying my life, and I still can't get over it. Death takes away someone you cared about, someone who you liked talking to or being near to, or it was just a good person and you wanted good, nice person who had tough life to live. And it didn't happen. Sometimes, you lose someone you used to see around every day, and someone who you could make happy or who could make you happy in a ways. It leaves emptiness, it literally changes your daily life. And a lot of times, that death is sudden and traumatizing. It's never easy but accidents and sudden death rob your mind of preparing for the worst. It causes you large trauma. I am scared to live now, scared to be happy or relaxed ever, because I feel like I can lose anyone I love at any time.

[katieliz]

I don't have a big channel, but I wanted you to know that in my year in review for 2018 I named your channel as my favorite. Thank you for all of your help. I survived the Holidays even off my Zoloft. You are doing a wonderful service for people.

[vivienneink]

I have been that friend who silently has been supportive. I was afraid of speaking about the issue but that is my fear that I won’t know what to do or say, and that might make it worse. I’m thankful for these resources

[Carlee]

I just found your channel and love it. You are doing wonderful things for people and truly have a gift. Your voice is calming, and you explain things so precisely. Thank you for sharing your gift.

[theotherkangaroo]

My husband & I are participating in a Griefshare group at my church. We are only 3 weeks in (it's a 13 week program) but the session are already helping. It is Christ-focused & many churches host the groups -- I would recommend to someone who is Christian or wouldn't be turned-off by that particular focus.

[cield]

I have been looking all over for resources to help a friend who recently lost her father in a very traumatic manner.

[SiothaVest]

There's more than greif of loosing a loved one. And recognizing its broad; lifestyle changes, financial, health scares, relationships, child birth, miscarriages, unhealthy habits, etc. And when to apply greif coping and support to heal and move forward with confidence or a happier association with the loss.

[skyehopkins]

I lost my dad last December and I'm still struggling with this and I'm hiding myself I need help

[SiothaVest]

Man... so many people are going through more greif than usually right now. Especially when counseling feels like a never ending talk session and if they don't push or do work between the sessions and end up paying for 1 hr of talking aloud.. years on end

[Ma_Ba]

NYC area Families for Safe Streets under Transportation Alternatives is a grief and activism support affinity group for survivors of victims of traffic violence.

[brendynbeard]

What about grieving someone who is still alive?

[yuxianli]

The hard part for me right now is I don't know if I should say something even though my caring nature wants me to at least send a message. It also feels strange to talk about her loss over texting.

[dabbler]

What do you do when a relative dies, and you feel a sense of relief? When the person had become a pain to be around.No more arguing. No more ridiculing or dismissing your opinions. No more putting up with "one ailment after another".

Sometimes you wonder if something always has to be not well. Can we ever have a 5wk stretch when things are basically fine? But its mostly escaping the criticizing and minimizing. So, maybe they pass away and you dont cry.

Then, you feel like a Monster, and guilt eats away. Is there any book i can read that specifically addresses this sort of stuff? a good Youtuber who talks about this? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

[mySwingCaddy]

They gave me an order of protection and said I couldn’t talk to her until I talk to a judge. But my car keys were taken by a dr who is telling me I can’t drive even thought I have never got in an accident.

[cherylnorvell]

Well, I’m not very nice about it! I’m glad that my cousins mom’s both passed away by laughing about it! I know, so inmature about it! Valerie