What is grief? The sudden silence where laughter once echoed, the weight of absence in a shared space, and the slow, painful rebuilding of a self that has been shattered.
While many view grief as a linear process, moving from denial to acceptance, the reality is far more complex. Grief does not follow the rules; it circles back and strikes when least expected.
For a therapist, guiding others through loss is part of the job. But what happens when the therapist becomes the mourner? From Grief to Grace: A Therapist’s Journey of Healing After Loss by Anita Aasen offers a rare glimpse into this experience. Here, the professional becomes the patient, and the lessons of healing become profoundly personal.
Grief is Not a Straight Path
Anita experienced the loss of her brother, Lou, and it showed that no amount of professional expertise can shield us from grief’s raw intensity. Anita describes how her training as a therapist gave her tools but not immunity against the pain. She went through all the highs and lows of suffering and gained a new perspective on her clients’ journeys.
The Unexpected Companions of Grief
Grief is accompanied by guilt, regret, and even anger. Aasen reflects on moments of self-doubt, questioning whether she could have done more, said something different, or fought harder against fate. These feelings are natural. Learning to coexist with them, rather than fight against them, is part of healing.
Finding Solace in Rituals and Memories
Healing does not mean forgetting. Anita’s journey is filled with small yet significant acts of remembrance: a shared Easter morning, an old photograph, and a final embrace. These actions allow us to hold onto love even when the person is gone.
Support is a Lifeline
Even as a therapist, Anita leaned on friends, family, and unexpected kindness from strangers. Her experience underscores a crucial lesson: no one should grieve alone. Accepting help through conversation, shared silence, or simple gestures does not diminish strength. Instead, it reminds us that grief is a communal experience, one that connects us in profound ways.
A Catalyst for Change
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from From Grief to Grace is that grief facilitates change. Over time, the unbearable weight shifts. Grief does not disappear, but it evolves.
Grief changes us. But within that change lies the possibility of growth, honoring those we have lost, and finding a way to live with love and remembrance. That is the ultimate lesson from a therapist’s journey through grief.Grab your copy of From Grief to Grace today.
