Mentally STRONG Academy: Embrace the Journey

1. When did you first realize that you were more than your physical body?  2. What was the experience or event that led you to explore your spiritual self?  3. How do you define "spiritual self"?  4. Do you think it's important for everyone to explore their spiritual side? Why or why not?  5. What are some of the benefits of exploring your spiritual self? In this video, Dr. Cristi B...

Self-regulation is an important part of managing grief. It involves recognizing and managing your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in response to difficult situations. Through self-regulation, we can better understand our feelings, recognize triggers of strong emotions, and take steps to better manage those responses. Self-regulation helps us cope with the grief that often comes with a loss by al...

Grieving is a difficult process that can take an emotional toll on an individual. It is important to practice self-care during this time in order to manage the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of the losses and changes that come with grieving. Self-care is more than just getting enough rest or eating healthy meals; it is also about finding activities that bring joy and restoring balance in...

Through these posts  Dr. B found comfort in knowing that others could relate to her pain; more importantly, though, she realized there was beauty in expressing yourself truthfully even when it hurts — something which ultimately helped her find strength again after such a devastating event happened in her life. She reflected on how despite tragedy striking at any moment, we can still keep going if...

No matter the type or size of your grief, John W. James and Russell Friedman have laid out a path to healing in their powerful guide The Grief Recovery Handbook: Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career & Faith. In this special 20th anniversary edition with guidelines on which loss to work through first as well as how best to move forward from...

About Grief Day by Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living With Loss has been designed to provide readers with guidance and assistance in managing their grief. This inspiring book offers a comprehensive selection of topics, ranging from exhaustion, despair, suicide, and confusion to hope, beauty, music, and faith - all presented with detailed commentary and 364 quotes that are accompan...

Dr. Bonanno's theory of grieving presents a more optimistic outlook on the status quo of human grief and trauma reactions since Sigmund Freud nearly a century ago. This research found psychological resilience to be at the core of human grief and trauma reactions which overturns the common assumption that grief is universally negative. By better understanding how different people grieve under...

Today, our conversation will explore the ever-changing landscape of grief. We'll compare and contrast how men versus women tackle sorrowful times - but not without an understanding that each situation is unique to its owner. With this in mind, we challenge you to ignore any preconceived notions regarding gender roles when it comes to navigating through painful thoughts and feelings; for there...

Continuing Bonds by Dennis Klass, Phyllis Silverman, and Steven Nickman is an excellent choice if you're looking for a helpful and insightful book on grief. This book offers readers a wealth of information on the grieving process and practical tips for building mental strength and moving forward after loss.

What would you do if you lost your child? This is a question that many parents dread, and for good reason – it's a nightmare scenario. Grief is a natural response to loss, but for some parents, the pain of losing a child can be unbearable. According to attachment theory expert John Bowlby, how we grieve depends on our relationship with our parents. Those who had secure attachments are more li...

The Grieving Brain is an insightful examination of what happens in our brains when we are faced with death and loss. Through her research-backed approach, Mary Francis O'Connor provides readers not only with an understanding of why we grieve but also practical strategies for managing our emotions during this difficult time so that we may move forward on the path towards healing. If you are st...

In this video, we take a look at Sigmund Freud's Grief Work Theory. This theory is based on the idea that in order to move on from a loss, we must first process our grief. We'll discuss the four stages of grief and explore how they can help us understand our own grieving process. ________________________________________________________ 👉Subscribe for more Mentally STRONG Content, practi...

Grief is a complicated process that doesn't follow set rules or stages. You may wonder if you're "doing it right," what exactly you should be feeling, and when. Grief is unique to everyone who experiences it, which makes it all the more difficult to understand and know what to expect. However, there are two acronyms - HEALING and DERAILERS - that can serve as a helpful guide to...

Have you experienced the death of a loved one? If so, you may be familiar with the dual-process model of bereavement. This video briefly introduces the dual process model and explains how it can help people understand their grief.

In this video, Dr. Cristi Bundukamara interviews her friend Charlene Walters about the process of grieving the loss of a spouse. They discuss the different stages of grief, how to cope with them, and ways to find support during this difficult time. Learn more about Grief Theory 101: The Dual Process Model of Grief https://whatsyourgrief.com/dual-process-model-of-grief/

Do you feel like you're stuck in a never-ending cycle of grief?  Dr. Cristi Bundukamara is here to help. In this video, she breaks down the DSM definition of prolonged grief and offers tips for how to get mentally strong and move on from your loss.

This episode is about Dr. Therese Rando's 6 R of mourning. Dr. B will review the 6 R's and share her personal and professional views about the steps. Dr. B is in 45 days of grief series, and part of it is reviewing different books and processes of grief as part of her mission to turn her pain into purpose. The 6 R's of mourning are a great way to approach the grieving process. Howev...

Do you want to learn more about the physical aspect of grief?  Today I will talk about Dr. Mary Frances O'Connor's extensive research on the physical aspect of grief. You'll learn about how grief can manifest physically and how to be mentally strong during this challenging time.

This video is about grief and how to cope with it. Dr. William Worden provides a framework of four tasks that help us understand how people journey through grief. Healing happens gradually as grievers address these tasks in no specific order, going back and forth from one to another over time. In my video, I discuss these tasks with my knowledge as a psychiatric nurse professional and as a mother...

Although grasping grief is challenging, Dr. Lois Tonkin's theory of growing around your Grief has resonated with me. Her visuals and explanation make it easier to understand, and I believe that it can be helpful for those who are struggling with their Grief. Time may not heal all wounds, but by growing around our Grief, we can come to terms with what has happened and find ways to move forward...

I hope that you have found this series helpful. It is my goal to provide information and resources on grief in a way that is easy to understand and accessible. Moving Through Grief by Dr. Kubacky is an excellent resource for those who are looking to process their grief in a healthy way. The book uses ACT therapy which has been shown to be effective in helping people move through their grief. I wou...

Grief is a journey, and each step along the way teaches us something new about ourselves and about the world around us.    Grief often brings up intense emotions that can seem contradictory or opposing. We may feel numb and disconnected one moment, and then overwhelmed by sadness and despair the next. These conflicting emotions can make it difficult to know how to respond or what to do next. This...

We have all heard of the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While this model was created by Dr. Kubler Ross based on her clinical experience, it doesn't necessarily reflect everyone's experience with grief. Grief is a profoundly personal journey, and no two people grieve exactly the same way. In my experience with grief, I have found that the fiv...

 Do you know someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)?  This disorder can be extremely stressful and anxiety-provoking for both the person who has it and their loved ones. In this video, I provide an overview of what Dissociative Identity Disorder is, how it's treated, and some of the common stressors that can trigger symptoms.

What is the treatment for an adjustment disorder? This question is difficult to answer because adjustment disorder is not a specific mental health condition. It is a diagnosis given to people who experience distress after a life change or stressful event. In this video, I will discuss the DSM-5 criteria for adjustment disorder and outline some of the most common treatments. _______________________...