The Death Network
Wendy Kessler
Grief Guide
“I’m a Grief Counselor.” No one seems prepared for this reply when I’m introducing myself to new acquaintances. Most people pause awkwardly and say something like, “That must be so sad.” And they are really unprepared for my follow-up response that I truly love my job because it is about so much more than supporting sad people. Grief care is about creating safe spaces of belonging and building community connections – which is the heart of my lifework.
My professional grief support is based on three fundamental philosophies:
My client is the expert on their grief. I am a Grief Specialist who accompanies grievers navigating their journey through the wilderness of loss. I help clients understand the difference between the noun of grief (what we think and feel about our loss) and the verb of grieving (what we can do to adapt and evolve through loss). I provide guidance by offering education, strategies, and tools that align with each griever's unique needs. And I equip grievers with skills to manage the distress of loss and coping as they expand the terrain that is restricted by loss. Grieving does not have to be a time of just passively enduring pain. It can be a transformative experience of building resilience, as well as deepening compassion for self and others.
Grief isn’t fixed; it’s witnessed. We are social, relational beings. Human beings are not wired to grieve well in isolation. We all share an innate need to have our losses acknowledged and validated by others. Witnessing one another’s grief enables the pain of loss to be released rather than absorbed. Even though we cannot repair the reality of loss for others, we can ease the burden of grief by offering our compassionate, non-judgmental, supportive presence. My primary role as a Grief Counselor is to welcome grievers into a space where they are invited to share their sorrow in the presence of a caring person without having to filter or edit the intensity of grief and its accompanying emotions.
Grieving is an essential life skill that can be learned. I teach clients grief navigation skills by normalizing grief, explaining how the grieving process helps us adjust to loss, identifying the complicating factors that make their grief experience harder, increasing their capacity to simultaneously hold contradictory thoughts and feelings (like joy and sorrow, grief and gratitude, hope and despair), showing them how grow more resilient amidst the realities of loss, and guiding them to integrate the love that remains rather than just trying to move on.
If you feel stuck, lost, or overwhelmed in the wilderness of loss, grieving is how you can create a path forward. But this is a difficult road to walk alone. It helps to have a companion to guide you. I can accompany you in navigating the rugged terrain of loss so that you can discover new spaces of acceptance, healing, renewal, and transformation.
Creative Grief Support with Wendy
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Grief Counseling
Professional support enables grievers to discover a restorative path through the rough terrain of loss. My client relationships begin by welcoming people into a safe space where they can express their grief in an environment of compassion and nonjudgment. I witness and validate their losses and orient them to the landscape of grieving. Then I accompany client's on their personalized grief journey by offering therapeutic support, coping skills, and adaptive tools that align with the unique needs of each individual, couple, and family living with loss. Sessions are offered in person at my office in Old Town, or virtually on Zoom. If your path of grief feels uncertain or overwhelming, it helps to have a guide.
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Grief Support Groups
We are social, relational beings. Grief is harder when we are processing our losses without connection to others. Talking about our lived experience in unedited, unfiltered ways with caring, supportive people who can relate doesn’t make the pain of loss go away, but it can make the burden lighter. I facilitate in person & virtual gatherings - hosted at my office or your community space - that offer communal care, connection, and belonging for people living with loss.
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Grief Education
I am an advocate of normalizing talking about grief because it is the most universal experience of being human. I am committed to contributing to a culture where grief is understood as our natural response to loss, a life skill we can learn, and an invitation to a shared experience that connects us to our community. I deliver grief education trainings on site or virtually that will equip your team with the understanding, skills, and tools that enable helping professionals to respond effectively to the grief support needs of community you serve.
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Grief Workshops
Grief is not just a feeling, nor is it fully processed or expressed through thoughts and words. Adapting to significant loss is a whole-person experience that utilizes our heart (feelings and emoting), mind (words that are thought and spoken), soul (spiritual or existential practices), and body (embodied practices). I offer interactive grief workshops that integrate all parts of self in the experience of grieving. Workshop themes include creating personalized grief rituals and expressive arts activities such as mosaics and kintsugi (the symbolic work of creating something beautiful from broken pieces).
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Grief Consultation
I offer professional consultation that can effectively evaluate, improve, and create grief support services that address the unique needs of your staff, clients, and the community you serve. My organizational support services include facilitating staff support groups for processing work-related losses, and helping community groups process collective or cumulative losses.
Contact Wendy
Based in San Diego, CA. I am available for in person and virtual support. I meet with clients for in person counseling at my Old Town Office or virtually on Zoom. I also offer education and workshops throughout San Diego County and nationally on virtual platforms.
Email: mygriefguide@gmail.com
Instagram: @my.griefguide
Text/Call: 858-859-1728