In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a grief psychologist, is joined by Rebekah Thompson, her former doctoral student, who shares her personal and professional journey through infant loss. With the upcoming Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 15th, Rebekah offers insights into understanding and honoring this often misunderstood type of grief. They discuss the importance of community support, the complexity of emotions associated with losing a child, and how society can become more inclusive and compassionate towards grieving parents. Practical strategies for navigating milestones and providing tangible support to those experiencing loss are also shared. Listeners are encouraged to participate in events like the wave of light and reflect on personal ways to memorialize lost ones. Light a candle on October 15th at 7pm your time and join the wave of light around the world.

00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal

00:26 Meet Rebekah Thompson: A Journey Through Grief

01:45 Rebekah's Personal Story of Infant Loss

04:44 Understanding the Emotions of Infant Loss

07:07 Shifting the Narrative Around Infant Loss

11:10 Supporting Grieving Parents: Practical Advice

21:11 Memorializing and Honoring Lost Infants

25:03 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

26:53 Conclusion and Resources

--------------------------------

Rebekah Thompson received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University in 2022 and became a licensed mental health counseling associate the same year. She is currently finishing her last year of clinical training for her Doctorate. Bekah enjoys working collaboratively with individuals and couples from a client/person-centered lens, while utilizing interventions from various therapeutic modalities (CBT, DBT, strengths-based and positive psychology).

------------------------------------

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed, PsyPact psychologist based out of Washington state. I've been practicing grief therapy since 2012 and am passionate about changing the narrative of grief in our current cultural climate. Grief is a universal lived experience and as such needs to be something we talk about without the taboo attached. I hope you'll join me as we work to adjust to the new normal we are living in and support one another in that process.

https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

Dr. Taylor is also a co-founder of 'The Mourning Movement,' with Jen Reisinger, LMHC. The Mourning Movement aims to create spaces for grief education and community support to reduce isolation and stigma around grief. Be sure to sign up for more modern grief insights and resources at https://themourningmovement.myflodesk.com/resourcesandnewsletter

https://www.themourningmovement.com

hello@themourningmovement.com

-------------------------------------

Opening Music by The Dadicorns

Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

All Rights Reserved.

This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.