Grief and Loss
Marie Gorman
What Sicilians Can Teach Western Culture About ...

In many parts of the world, grief rituals and cultural approaches to mourning shape how people heal after loss. For Sicilians, grief is not something to be hidden or overcome. It is witnessed, shared, spoken aloud, and woven into community life. Grief is understood as a human experience that deserves expression, support, and ritual.

In contrast, much of American and Western culture tends to value emotional restraint, productivity, and a quick return to “normal.” Grief is often expected to be managed quietly, efficiently, and on a socially acceptable timeline. This push to “move on” often leaves the bereaved feeling isolated and unsupported .

By looking at how Sicilian culture models grief, we can begin to imagine healthier, more compassionate ways of responding to loss.

What Sicilians Can Teach Western Culture About Grief
Grief and Loss, Self-Care
Marie Gorman
Cozying Up to Grief: Finding Gentle Comfort in ...

Whether or not you are experiencing a particular sorrow or struggle, the remainder of winter can be a reflective time; many animals hibernate in the cold months, and we humans also reach for warmth and comfort. Slowing down to engage in what nurtures and sustains us can help us through the darkest times. One way to do this is to pay attention to what’s happening in our bodies, taking a moment to notice our breathing, what we feel physically and emotionally, and what our bodies are telling us we need. Would a walk be helpful? A warm bath? Time with friends, a book, or a favorite movie? Do we need a cup of tea or something warm to eat? Taking the time to nurture ourselves can help ease some of the intense feelings we have. 

Cozying Up to Grief: Finding Gentle Comfort in Winter
Grief and Loss
Marie Gorman
Navigating Pregnancy and Infant Loss During the ...

Grieving the loss of babies during the Halloween season can bring up unique challenges. Join us as we explore ways to honor our losses, create new traditions and care for one another. You are not alone in this journey, and together we can find ways to heal and remember.

Navigating Pregnancy and Infant Loss During the Halloween Season

What Sicilians Can Teach Western Culture About Grief

What Sicilians Can Teach Western Culture About Grief

In many parts of the world, grief rituals and cultural approaches to mourning shape how people heal after loss. For Sicilians, grief is not something to be hidden or overcome. It is witnessed, shared, spoken aloud, and woven into community life. Grief is understood as a human experience that deserves expression, support, and ritual.

In contrast, much of American and Western culture tends to value emotional restraint, productivity, and a quick return to “normal.” Grief is often expected to be managed quietly, efficiently, and on a socially acceptable timeline. This push to “move on” often leaves the bereaved feeling isolated and unsupported .

By looking at how Sicilian culture models grief, we can begin to imagine healthier, more compassionate ways of responding to loss.

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Cozying Up to Grief: Finding Gentle Comfort in Winter

,
Cozying Up to Grief: Finding Gentle Comfort in Winter

Whether or not you are experiencing a particular sorrow or struggle, the remainder of winter can be a reflective time; many animals hibernate in the cold months, and we humans also reach for warmth and comfort. Slowing down to engage in what nurtures and sustains us can help us through the darkest times. One way to do this is to pay attention to what’s happening in our bodies, taking a moment to notice our breathing, what we feel physically and emotionally, and what our bodies are telling us we need. Would a walk be helpful? A warm bath? Time with friends, a book, or a favorite movie? Do we need a cup of tea or something warm to eat? Taking the time to nurture ourselves can help ease some of the intense feelings we have. 

Removing Stigma, Embracing Support: A Guide to Perinatal Mental Health

Removing Stigma, Embracing Support: A Guide to Perinatal Mental Health

Becoming a parent is often depicted as a joyous and life-affirming event - images of love at first sight, instant bonding, practically a state of euphoria, and purpose. The reality, though, can be far more complex. For many, the perinatal period — the time during pregnancy and the first year postpartum (including infertility and fertility treatments) — can be a challenging emotional and mental landscape to navigate, often made even more challenging when it is not talked about. Even if and when love, bonding, and a sense of purpose are present, mental health during pregnancy and postpartum is too often silenced. 

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The Healing Power of Kindness: Why Helping Others Helps You Too

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The Healing Power of Kindness: Why Helping Others Helps You Too

November can feel like the start of a marathon. As soon as October ends, we officially head into The Holidays, and from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, family and social interactions abound. Family traditions, seeing relatives we haven’t been with for a while, and sharing food and conversation can be lovely, fun, and nurturing. It can also be tense, challenging, even painful. We may have challenging family relationships or feel the loss of someone who’s no longer with us.

Welcome to Healing Highlights

Welcome to Healing Highlights

Welcome to Healing Highlights.

We are licensed therapists passionate about supporting individuals through life’s most challenging moments. Here, we provide insights, resources, and heartfelt reflections on topics like grief and loss, trauma recovery, and perinatal mental health. Whether you’re navigating personal healing, seeking tools to support a loved one, or simply looking for a place to feel seen and understood, our blog offers a compassionate space grounded in expertise and care.

Join us as we explore the journeys of resilience, growth, and hope. You’re not alone—let’s walk this path together.