Navigating Grief and the Journey to Motherhood with Jen Reisinger

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the complexities of grief and transitions into motherhood with her guest, Jen Reisinger LMHC, a mental health counselor and my business partner in The Mourning Movement. Jen shares her personal journey into specializing in grief and loss, emphasizing the importance of supporting individuals through the 'messy middle' of life transitions. They explore themes such as the societal pressures on motherhood, the iterative process of finding supportive self-care practices, and the critical role of compassion in navigating grief and the postpartum period. The conversation covers how acceptance and commitment therapy can aid individuals in these challenging times and the significance of speaking openly about grief and fertility struggles. Additionally, Jen introduces the Mourning Movement, their initiative aimed at building community and providing varied support for people experiencing grief.

Jen Reisinger is a mental health therapist in private practice and is the co-founder of The Mourning Movement alongside Dr. Heather Taylor. Jen is passionate about supporting those who are experiencing some of the most challenging seasons of life when the sense of who they are is shaken. It has been with a deep sense of gratitude that Jen has come alongside those who are experiencing or have experienced the death of a loved one and are navigating grief journeys. Additionally, Jen is passionate about supporting women on their motherhood journeys and holds advanced training in perinatal mental health including perinatal loss. Jen holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology and is Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington.

jen@reisingercounseling.com

www.reisingercounseling.com

themourningmovement@gmail.com

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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

With the complexities of this upcoming Mother's Day weekend, I thought I'd spend some time investing in support options for this wonderful grief community. My intention was to create a mini-series of episodes that encapsulate the layers of grief associated with this day and how hard and activating this time of year can be. Today we're kicking off a three-part series about this upcoming holiday weekend. Today's episode is Part One and we will explore the loss around a mom or mother figure. In part-two, we will discuss the impact and grief surrounding fertility, miscarriage and child loss. And in part-three, we're going to have a wonderful interview with Jen Reisinger LMHC, (who just happens to be my business partner over at the Morning Movement) discussing what she calls "the messy middle", where we are struggling with that postpartum or peripartum phase and adjustment to transitions, and really getting into the grief of motherhood

Part one will explore some strategies for self-care, rituals for honoring your lost mother-figure as well as how to set a plan for this coming weekend to feel like you are supporting yourself, your boundaries, and your unique needs around your loss.

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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

On today's episode, we have a fascinating discussion about the impact of OCD and its parallels with grief. We talk through the impact of OCD, the delay in seeking treatment and grief related to time lost, and also some strategies to cope with OCD when you have a death-related loss.

Erin H. Davis, MA, LCMHC is to make a positive impact on the mental health field by helping those struggling with OCD gain control and feel like the master of their own life again. OCD can make you feel broken, ashamed, and alone. Let's break the stigma by getting the *right* kind of therapy for OCD. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder requires a specialized approach with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Erin has over twelve years of experience and has worked to hone her skills and completed extra training to address the complexities of OCD.

This mission of helping OCD sufferers on their healing journey drove the passion to launch my podcast called, "Bossing Up: Overcoming OCD." Listen to the show on your favorite podcast player: https://link.chtbl.com/erinhdavis

Check out her website for more details about working with Erin or her pre-therapy OCD workbook: https://www.valuedriventherapy.com/

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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

Today's episode is in honor of Earth Day. I interviewed Anna Murphey, a licensed clinical social worker from Philadelphia, PA and had a wonderful discussion about ecotherapy, grief and connecting to nature. Be sure to listen until the end for one of my favorite connecting to nature with my own grief journey memories.

Anna Murphey, LCSW, LICSW is a licensed therapist based in Philadelphia, PA, where she maintains a solo private practice, Skylight Wellness Center, LLC, specializing in grief and loss. Before becoming a therapist, Anna worked in end-of-life care as a hospice social worker and end of life doula. Anna is interested how the emerging field of ecotherapy can support people on their grief journey. She brings over a decade of experience as a Buddhist meditation practitioner and mindfulness instructor to her work helping others to find opportunities for growth during times of change and transition.

Email: anna@skylightwellnesscenter.com

Website: www.skylightwellnesscenter.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.

Today's episode is a smart and insightful interview with the fabulous Kera Sanchez, editor and creator of Get Griefy Magazine, a magazine for those living with loss and actually living. She shares about her story and the inspiration behind the work that she's doing as well as her motivation to create grief community. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll relate to the authenticity and chatting with friends on a couch with emotional support coffees vibe. Enjoy.

Kera Sanchez, legacylettersjournal@gmail.com

Follow along on Instagram @getgriefymagazine

https://www.getgriefymagazine.com/home

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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.

Email: hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

Website: https://www.griefisthenewnormal.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.

Today’s episode is focusing on anticipatory grief or what some perceive as the slow goodbye. We’re going to delve into the intricacies and complexity of anticipatory grief, the importance of legacy work, finding meaning amidst the pain of goodbye and the neurological remnants of loss. I also want to add a disclaimer here that this discussion is not prescriptive. It is not a one size fits all approach to anticipatory grief or legacy work (which we will define momentarily). It’s going to vary based on the age of the person, whether it's a child, a partner, a parent, a grandparent, a sibling or a friend. The dynamics of the relationship. The needs for both the anticipatory griever as well as the individual preparing to die. And the amount of time left will vary as well. All that to say this is just an introductory conversation to this waiting space before an impending physical death.

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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.

Email: hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

Website: https://www.griefisthenewnormal.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.

Today we start the discussion about non-death losses. We cover a few examples of what non-death loss situations are and how grieving non-death losses are just as valid and get to take up space. We continue to be curious about meaning-making and navigating this new normal.

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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.

Email: hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

Website: https://www.griefisthenewnormal.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.

In part four, we discuss the spectrum of grief, the emotive style of grief and the instrumental style of grief. We talk about how different people process their loss differently and to be aware of that in supporting others because their grief may look different than yours. And that both ways are valid. It's a good one!

I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in 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

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.