Grief is the New Normal Podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

Navigating Grief During Seasonal Transitions   In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, discusses the challenges of navigating grief as the summer transitions into fall. She explores the feelings of being stuck while the world around us moves forward, the impact on executive functions, and the importance of self-compassion. Dr....

In this insightful episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes back Shae Wingate, a licensed clinical social worker, for an in-depth discussion about self-care and debunking common myths related to grief. The conversation explores the unique challenges of managing grief in your twenties, the importance of communicating your needs, and the delicate balance between grief and se...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, interviews Shea Wingate, a licensed clinical social worker and grief coach based in Nashville. Shea shares her personal journey and professional insights into grief, discussing the impact of losing her father, sister, and mother within 13 months, which inspired her to focus her practice...

Join Dr. Heather Taylor in this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal' as she speaks with children's author Irma Prosser about her journey in writing and educating young minds about grief. Irma shares her personal experiences with pregnancy loss and how it inspired her to write her book, 'I Miss the Baby,' aimed at children aged 2 to 8. The conversation delves into the challenges of explaining compl...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor speaks with Nikki Lewis, a licensed mental health counselor and art therapist. They discuss the integration of art into therapy, particularly as it relates to processing grief. Nikki shares her personal journey into the mental health field, the benefits of using art as a therapeutic medium, and specific art therapy exercises useful f...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Taylor, engages in a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Natasha Trujillo, a psychologist and author based in Colorado. Dr. Trujillo shares insights from her career in counseling and sports psychology, emphasizing the complexity of grief beyond death and its integration into all life events. They discuss the impact of grief on individuals, the interge...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, explores the complexities of sibling loss and disenfranchised grief. She discusses various forms of disenfranchised grief, from non-death losses to stigmatized deaths, and highlights how these experiences often go unrecognized by society. Dr. Taylor shares her personal story of losing he...

In this episode of Grief is the New Normal, Dr. Heather Taylor and Tessa Smith, LMHCA, continue with part two of their conversation and discuss the complexities of parenting while dealing with grief. They explore how different family members can oscillate between emotions and responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of validating diverse grief expressions. Key takeaways include understanding t...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor hosts Tessa Smith, LMHCA, a licensed mental health clinician associate and former student. The engaging conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of parenting while navigating the complexities of grief. Tessa shares her personal journey and professional insights on modeling grief for children, supporting them at various...

This is episode 2 in a two part series on grief in children and adolescents with Dr. Ashok Shimoji-Krishnan, a child psychiatrist. In this second episode, Dr. Heather Taylor sits down with Dr. Ashok Shimoji-Krishnan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, to wrap up their discussion on grief and loss in children and adolescents. Dr. Ashok shares insights from his extensive experience in mental healt...

This is episode 1 in a two part series on grief in children and adolescents with Dr. Ashok Shimoji-Krishnan, a child psychiatrist. In this first episode, Dr. Heather Taylor sits down with Dr. Ashok Shimoji-Krishnan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, to discuss grief and loss in children and adolescents. Dr. Ashok shares insights from his extensive experience in mental health, discussing the var...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' we explore the complexities of grieving on Father's Day after the loss of a father or father figure. Dr. Taylor delves into unique loss perspectives, offering insights on handling mixed emotions, managing expectations, and setting boundaries. She emphasizes that there is no right or wrong way to navigate this day and encourages listeners to honor their...

This week on "Grief is the New Normal" podcast, we meet guest, Dr. Carmen Lasby, a licensed psychologist specializing in trauma. Dr. Lasby shares her journey and insights into trauma therapy, particularly focusing on complex trauma and traumatic grief. They discuss the challenges of working through traumatic grief, the impact of secondary losses, and effective therapy approaches. Dr. Lasby also ta...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist, welcomes Stephanie Power, a former student, and now a doctoral candidate specializing in boundaries. Stephanie shares her journey into mental health, driven by her personal healing experiences and passion for supporting first responders. The discussion delves into the critical role of boundaries in managing...

Navigating the Grief of Fertility Challenges and Child Loss *Trigger warning as this episode discusses miscarriage, stillbirth and fertility challenges.   In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor delves into the complexities of grief related to fertility challenges and the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, and early infant loss. Honoring Maternal Mental Healt...

Navigating Grief and the Journey to Motherhood with Jen Reisinger In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal', Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the complexities of grief and transitions into motherhood with her guest, Jen Reisinger LMHC, a mental health counselor and my business partner in The Mourning Movement. Jen shares her personal journey into specializing in grief and loss, emphasizing the impo...

With the complexities of this upcoming Mother's Day weekend, I thought I'd spend some time investing in support options for this wonderful grief community. My intention was to create a mini-series of episodes that encapsulate the layers of grief associated with this day and how hard and activating this time of year can be. Today we're kicking off a three-part series about this upcoming holiday wee...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, is joined by Erin Davis, an LMHC and OCD specialist. They dive into a thoughtful conversation about the intersections between grief and OCD. Erin shares insights from her work with OCD patients, discussing the long delays in seeking treatment, often taking 14-17 years, and the importance...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Ms. Anna Murphy, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in grief and loss. Anna, based in Philadelphia, shares her journey from hospice social work to private practice at Skylight Wellness Center. She discusses the therapeutic potential of ecotherapy—integrating nature into the healing process for those grieving. The...

On today's episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' we are featuring special guest Kera Sanchez, editor and creator of Get Griefy Magazine. This episode delves into Kera's personal grief journey following her mother's unexpected death. Kera shares her initiatives like guided journals and the magazine, which are designed to help others navigate their grief. The discussion includes the importance of co...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, explores the concept of anticipatory grief, often referred to as the 'slow goodbye.' The discussion delves into the intricacies of this form of grief, including the importance of legacy work and finding meaning amidst the pain of saying goodbye. While emphasizing that there is no one-siz...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, addresses overlooked non-death losses. These include job loss, chronic illness diagnoses, the end of relationships, and more. Dr. Taylor highlights how society often prioritizes grief associated with death, minimizing other significant losses. Through detailed examples, she explores the...

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist and grief specialist, delves into the topic of the spectrum of grief. She explains the differences between emotive and instrumental grief and emphasizes that neither form is better or worse than the other. Dr. Taylor discusses how grief can vary within family systems, the impact of developmental age, gender,...

In the second episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, grief specialist and licensed psychologist, explores the complexities of grief. She emphasizes the importance of naming and normalizing grief to validate emotions and honor lost loved ones. The episode dives into the six primary categories of common grief reactions: physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, social/relational, a...

In this inaugural episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a grief specialist and licensed psychologist, sets the stage for a four-part series on understanding and processing grief. Dr. Taylor discusses the importance of leaning into loss and normalizing the myriad emotions that accompany grief. She explains how each person's grief journey is unique, shaped by various factors, and...