Trauma and Loss
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.
—-Mary Oliver
—-When Death Comes
Reflection, Acceptance, Meaning Making and Reinvestment
Loss is inevitable. We will all experience aging, sickness and death. Collectively, the family unit has developmental tasks succinctly summarized by Carter & McGoldrick as “accepting the shifting of generational roles.” Roles must be restructured and reassigned, and the rules of daily living adapted to ever changing circumstances.
- What is the work of “growing oneself up” in the “last quarter” of life?
- How best to respond to life challenges and disappointments?
- What strengths and resources support healing and resilience?
Making meaning of multiple losses requires profound strength, compassion and respect. The ability to struggle well, to make meaning out of adversity and to make loss matter is fundamental to emotional well-being.
- What are your major determinants of increased anxiety?
- What unresolved emotional attachments impede solutions?
- How best to thrive and not just survive?
When a family member develops a serious, chronic, potentially life-shortening illness or disability, the entire family is destabilized. An overarching family goal is how to deal with the developmental demands of trauma and loss over time without individuals sacrificing their own functional level of self-differentiation.
- How best to reduce stress and vulnerability?
- How best to foster healing and growth?
- How best to emerge strengthened and more resourceful?
Life is in essence loss and reinvestment. To differentiate is to provide a platform for maximum growth and development. Mindful Relationships Coaching offers consultation with a well trained professional who cannot just do something but actually stand there without getting emotionally involved while your family works it out.
To learn more and/or schedule a consultation click here.