Grief Resources
Grief and the Holidays
The holidays can be a hard time for many of us, whether we’re actively grieving a recent loss or just missing a loved one. In recent years, it’s even more of a challenge. Here’s my three-question approach to make grief and the holidays just a bit less hard, so you can be present and show up the way you want for the holidays.
Grief and the New Year: “I don’t want to move forward without them.”
There’s often a feeling of pain associated with the passage of time and the idea of leaving the loved ones we lost behind. In this video, I share The Dash Between, a concept that helps me cope with this painful feeling and notion of having to “move on” or leave our loved ones behind as we move forward with our own lives.
AAPI Grief: An Asian-American Experience of Loss
Culture, heritage and family of origin: All of these can shape your experiences of grief and loss. Here are 5 ways my Chinese-American heritage influenced mine.
Father’s Day Grief
Father’s Day can be bittersweet. After the loss of your dad or father figure, here are some ways to cope or even celebrate.
Fresh Grief? 5 Things to Know After a Recent Loss
Have you recently lost a loved one? Here are 5 things I want you to know, from grief’s “timeline” to getting support. (Can you say OPP?)
Grief and Loss: When Disaster Strikes
Did you feel blindsided, derailed or knocked off course after the death of a loved one? Certified grief coach Charlene Lam shares an analogy that can be helpful for getting a grasp on the effects of a massive loss.
Curating Grief: How to Choose What to Keep After a Loved One Dies
In my signature talk, I share how to choose what to keep after a loved one dies.
Mother’s Day Grief after Parental Loss
Whether your mom has died or you’re dealing with loss related to dementia or estrangement, Mother’s Day can bring up a lot of mixed feelings. Here are some resources from grief coach Charlene Lam and her colleagues.
HELLO
I’m Charlene
I am a certified grief coach, curator, speaker, and the founder of The Grief Gallery. I help grieving people to feel lighter and less burdened by all the physical and emotional "stuff” after a loss, using the lens of curating.
After my mother died suddenly in 2013, I leaned into my creativity and instincts as a curator to guide myself through grief. I developed my Curating Grief coaching framework to help people process their grief in a creative, accessible way.
My certifications and ongoing training include Claire Bidwell Smith’s Grief and Loss program, Megan Devine’s Grief Care training through PESI, What’s Your Grief’s continuing education, and the Portland Institute of Grief and Loss programs in using art and meaning reconstruction in grief work.
I'm the author of the forthcoming book Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies. My podcast guest appearances include Grief Out Loud, the Feminist Wellness podcast, and the What Works podcast with Tara McMullin.
A proud Chinese-American New Yorker (like my mom), I'm currently based in Lisbon, Portugal, and work with grief coaching clients worldwide.
Get in touch hello [at] charlenelam.com
Additional Grief Resources
When you want to read or hear other people’s experiences with loss:
Modern Loss – Essays from real people on a range of loss
https://modernloss.com
Podcast: The Grief Gang – UK-based podcast normalizing conversations about grief
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-grief-gang/id1489821860
When you want to share and connect with other grievers:
The Grief Gallery’s monthly gathering – My monthly grief gathering for creative inspiration and community connection — feel free to bring an object that belonged to, or reminds you of, a loved one
https://charlenelam.com/gathering
Let’s Reimagine – Robust schedule of events exploring post-traumatic loss
https://letsreimagine.org/experiences/schedule
Motherless Daughters Community Calls – Weekly meetings founded by Hope Edelman, author of “Motherless Daughters”
https://motherlessdaughters.com/community-calls
When you want to learn more about grief and grief theory:
What’s Your Grief? Podcast, articles and training
https://whatsyourgrief.com
For thought-provoking conversations about death and dying:
Good Grief Festival – Live events as well as replays of 100+ conversations about grief (including the Continuing Bonds panel I was on!) during festival organized by the University of Bristol
https://goodgrieffest.com
Death Cafe – Conversations about death and dying led by everyday people
https://deathcafe.com
Practical assistance and apps:
AfterLight – Concierge service for legacy planning and after loss assistance
https://myafterlight.com
PALS – Includes a directory of after loss professionals
https://www.afterlosspros.com/
Apps
Help Texts – Text message-based support for grief, caregiving and mental health
https://helptexts.com
Lantern – End-of-Life resources and connections to services (mostly US-based)
http://lantern.co
Empathy – Loss companion app (US-based)
https://www.empathy.com
Cake – End-of-Life Planning app and articles (mostly US-based)
https://www.joincake.com
Untangle Grief – App with emotional and practical support (UK-based)
https://untanglegrief.com
Grief Works – App by UK grief expert Julia Samuels with a course, tools and journaling features
https://griefworkscourse.com
If you lost your parents at a young age:
The book “The Rules of Inheritance” – Therapist Claire Bidwell-Smith lost both parents by the time she was twenty-five years old, and her first book is called “The Rules of Inheritance.” She also hosts the podcast A New Day.
The Dead Parent Club – This UK-based podcast has many guests who lost a parent at a young age.
More Grief Podcasts:
Grief is My Side Hustle – with trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-is-my-side-hustle/id1568936089
The Widowed Parent Podcast – your guide to “only-parenting“ after the loss of a spouse by Jenny Lisk. who lost her husband to brain cancer when their kids were 9 & 11
https://jennylisk.com/podcast-main
The Widowed Mom Podcast – By grief coach Krista St-Germain, whose husband was killed by a drunk driver
https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/podcast/
Grief Out Loud – Hosted by Jana DeCristofaro and produced by Dougy Center, the Grief Out Loud podcast brings you a mix of personal stories; tips for supporting children, teens, and yourself; and interviews with professionals
https://www.dougy.org/news-media/podcasts
CONTACT
- hello@charlenelam.com
CONNECT
YOU ARE ALL WELCOME
WORK WITH ME
GRIEF COACHING
MEET ME IN LISBON
SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS
MONTHLY GRIEF GATHERING
Join us for The Grief Gallery's free, supportive grief group gathering the last Wednesday of the month, 2pm ET (7pm UK).
SEE ALL EVENTS
CURATING GRIEF PODCAST
- Listen to the Curating Grief podcast
GRIEF RESOURCES
Need help with grief? I can help.
Get in touch: Email hello [at] charlenelam.com
Note: Coaching and coaching consultations are not a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other qualified professionals. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact 911 or your local emergency services.
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