When the person who helps others through grief suddenly faces devastating loss themselves, what happens? Steve Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor with 22 years of experience, joins us to share his powerful journey through grief after losing his wife MaryAnn in August 2024.
Steve brings a uniquely qualified perspective to grief counseling. He found himself navigating anticipatory grief when his wife developed a rare genetic condition, leading him to step away from his practice temporarily to become her full-time caregiver.
"The first rule of thumb for me as a counselor is take care of me first," Steve explains. This seemingly counterintuitive approach mirrors the airplane oxygen mask analogy - secure your own before helping others. Through seeking counseling himself and attending grief groups, Steve demonstrates how mental health professionals must practice the self-care they preach.
What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Steve's willingness to discuss vulnerability in the therapeutic relationship. Rather than diminishing his effectiveness, he believes that appropriately sharing his grief journey with clients creates deeper empathetic connections and therapeutic bonds. His metaphor comparing finding the right therapist to trying on clothes ("you'll know when you feel like you've made a connection") offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking support.
Steve closes with a beautiful anonymous poem that captures the transformation of grief: "You never truly move on. You move with it." This episode reminds us that grief professionals aren't immune to loss - their human experiences often deepen their capacity to guide others through similar journeys.
Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube: asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve
To Reach Steve:
Email: serenity_counseling_services@outlook.com
Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve
The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.
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