In the aftermath of her mother's death, Alice’s father sought grief counseling support for both him and Alice. During Alice's first session, she was tearful and withdrawn, struggling to cope with the overwhelming emotions. By the second session, there was a glimmer of change. Alice brought a family photo, including her mom and their dog. Together, the counselor and Alice decorated a photo frame. During the activity, she excitedly shared the memories encapsulated in the photo, and by the end of the session, she was eager to show her creation to her dad and siblings.

Alice continued to progress each session. She began sharing her feelings more openly, reflecting on cherished stories with her mom, and learning to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Through relaxation and breathing exercises, journaling, art, and memory-making activities, Alice found new ways to navigate her grief. She created a memory bracelet and a memory box, filled with items that remind her of her mom, treasures she will hold dear for years to come. 

After six months of dedicated grief counseling with BCN, Alice transformed remarkably. She evolved from a withdrawn, quiet child to one who eagerly attended her sessions, filled with smiles, laughter, and a willingness to share both past and present memories. Talking about her mom became easier, and Alice's resilience and strength shone through. Bluegrass Grief Care guided Alice through this season and is helping her emerge with a lighter heart and a brighter outlook on life.

Learn more about our grief care services at bgcarenav.org/grief-care.