S3E15 The Capacity to Hold Space with Dr. Heather Taylor

Do you find it difficult to sit with someone who is grieving and just be there? Are you tempted to make things better for them, to cheer them up? Can you witness someone's pain in full presence and awareness? And how do you take care of yourself before and after to ensure you do not experience compassion fatigue?

Join Amanda and her guest, Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist specializing in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, and host of the Grief is the New Normal podcast for a heartfelt, nurturing conversation about showing up for a friend, family, or client in their deepest time of need. Great episode for those in the clinical setting as well as caretakers and those seeking to be of compassionate service to a friend or family member in need. 

Key points to listen for include:

🔥Heather's experience of sitting vigil with people in hospice and how to enter this sacred space with the intention of being fully present

🔥The importance of getting "in tune" with whoever you are with and/or caring for

🔥How to "metabolize" the energy we carry after such an experience

🔥An intriguing cup metaphor about our ability to expand our capacity to hold space for someone

🔥The benefit of community for those doing this work as well as those who are grieving a loss

🔥Suggestions for reducing isolation and steps to activate the healing process

🔥Heather's journey of chronic pregnancy-induced heart failure and coping skills for grieving her limitations (a form of loss)

🔥The benefit of being curiosity of and having grace for your own healing journey

🔥Understanding that every feeling passes and how not to get too committed to one emotion

🔥Accepting the reality of grief ripples, the secondary losses that result from the primary loss

About Heather

Dr. Heather Taylor is a licensed psychologist based in Washington State, specializing in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology. She is the host of the Grief is the New Normal podcast, where she explores the multifaceted nature of grief and offers insights and support to those navigating their own grief journeys. Dr. Taylor is also the founder of the Professional Grief Collective, a pioneering initiative designed to provide clinicians, therapists, and grief coaches with resources, consultation, and community to enhance their grief support practices. Her work is dedicated to normalizing grief and providing a platform for open discussions about loss and healing.

Follow Heather on Instagram

Get Heather's grief journal: Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal

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