I’m sorry for your loss…
If you’ve found your way here it’s likely you’re seeking support for yourself or someone close to you who has either;
Experienced the traumatic loss of an adult child due to mental health, suicide or substance related challenges.
or
Someone who is enduring life with an adult living child with mental health and/or substance challenges.
I’m so very sorry.
These life experiences are so difficult, and with support and an understanding of how the trauma and chaos affects us we can gain coping skills.
What is Traumatic Grief?
To lose a child to any cause of death is traumatic, even after a long illness. It is not the natural order of things for a parent to outlive their child. Our mind struggles to believe that our precious child has died.
When the circumstances of our child’s death is somehow violent or under random circumstance, if it’s suicide, or a substance related accident - it then becomes even more complicated for our thinking minds to traverse.
It’s very common for parents who’ve lost their child to ask themselves over and over – “how did this happen”, “how could I have missed ______”, “ I could’ve/should’ve/would’ve done __________”…as we try and understand the WHY?
THIS is traumatic bereavement and the challenging grieving process that follows is beyond words like ‘difficult’.
Terri DeMontrond
Traumatic Grief Specialist
When my 35 year old only daughter Misty Dawn died by suicide on August 1, 2012, I was beyond devastated. I was grasping for lifelines and at the same time I didn’t care if my life continued. I’d get my feet on the ground only to fall time and time again into the deep bottomless pit of grief.
About 1 year after she died I found Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, founder of the MISS Foundation. We worked together intently. She validated my experience, informed me of what was happening to me due to my traumatic loss, and was a compassionate witness.
Within 6 months I began training and became certified in her Compassionate Bereavement Care (CBC) model for grief support. My growth I knew was in extending a hand and lifting up others coming behind me in the unthinkable and incredible challenge of living without their beloved child.
Currently I Mentor and support other families enduring child loss and facilitate virtual Support Groups. I also train others to Mentor, coordinate Group Retreats, and collect resources to share.
My Offerings
ONE ON ONE SUPPORT
GROUP SUPPORT
WALK AND TALK