Why I Became a Grief Therapist
I didn’t choose grief, it chose me. When I was an infant, my almost three-year-old sister was hit by a car and died three hours later. It wasn’t a direct response to Kathy’s death that I went into nursing and subsequently into grief work but her death certainly had a profound effect on my life. My Mom talked to me throughout my life about her feelings after Kathy’s death. Mom made death natural to me; we would talk about Kathy in the same way we talked about cooking. Granted, making cookies is a lot more fun than crying over grief, but both are equally natural to me. Mom and Dad were my first and greatest grief teachers. Despite such a significant loss, they filled our family with unconditional love. My parents wove grief, joy and love into our lives and showed us that it is possible to live fully even after such a tragic loss.
When I first became a nurse, I was drawn to the terminally ill patients. Those who are dying have such great lessons to impart and helping someone transition from this life to the next is a profound experience. As the years went by, I continually saw many people affected by grief who received no help to work through their pain. Today, that situation still exists for many. There are not enough therapists trained in grief to help all those who need it.
I feel so honored to walk with those who are grieving. In addition to my private practice, however, I am also interested in grief awareness and education. I enjoy teaching lay folks and professionals about the grief process and how to help those who need it. Grief affects us all; it is time we understand it and help each other heal.
When I first became a nurse, I was drawn to the terminally ill patients. Those who are dying have such great lessons to impart and helping someone transition from this life to the next is a profound experience. As the years went by, I continually saw many people affected by grief who received no help to work through their pain. Today, that situation still exists for many. There are not enough therapists trained in grief to help all those who need it.
I feel so honored to walk with those who are grieving. In addition to my private practice, however, I am also interested in grief awareness and education. I enjoy teaching lay folks and professionals about the grief process and how to help those who need it. Grief affects us all; it is time we understand it and help each other heal.
Established in 2007Maureen received her BS in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island in 1976. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings providing care across the lifespan. For more than a decade she worked as a school nurse and health educator. She received her Certification in Thanatology in 2006, Masters of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and became certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2014. Maureen became certified as a Fellow in Thanatology in 2019.
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Educational ProgramsGrief Weavers offers educational programs tailored to meet the needs of schools, hospitals, and communities by providing awareness and understanding of grief; and conducts day-long trainings to schools offering Lessons of Life and Loss, a bereavement support program for students.
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Grief Therapist and EducatorMaureen has an independent therapy practice at Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center in Kingston, MA where she sees adults, children and families who are grieving. She also helps facilitates Mike’s Club, Hope Floats’ peer support program for children. Additionally, Maureen is a member of the H.E.A.R.T. Team, Hope Floats’ educational outreach program.
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Grief Weavers PhilosophyGrief Weavers, LLC is a grief and bereavement support practice. My mission is to support and guide those that are grieving a loss. I provide “tools” that help integrate or “weave” one’s loss into their lives. Through journaling, written exercises, group opportunities, healing arts and talking, grieving individuals learn that the journey to healing, although painful, is possible.
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Publications
2009
2009
2021
2021
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The Grief Weavers – A Tale of Hope
An illustrated story of a young couple’s grief journey after the death of their child. Lessons of Life and Loss: A Bereavement Support Program
Student support program for grades 1-8 in which small groups of children who have experienced loss meet weekly with a trained adult facilitator. I Used to Believe in Heaven
Link to article Tuck Meets a Dragonfly
This uplifting story highlights ways to help grieving children. Suggestions are offered on using the story to broach the topics of grief and loss, "what happens next," and how love and friendship can heal the pain of grief. Link to Book |