A Licensed Therapist Shares Practical Advice on Navigating Grief

Grief is a universal experience.  Dimy Mixon, a marriage and family therapist specializing in grief counseling for women, offers practical advice for navigating grief~our own or that of a loved one.

 In this episode of The SavvyCast, Dimy Mixon, founder and owner of Fountain Counseling in Atlanta, Georgia,  joins me to discuss how to navigate personal grief and how to respond to loved ones’ grief. This episode has been such a learning experience for me, and I hope it is for you as well. 

Here is what you’ll find in this episode:

What are the 6 Stages of Grief?

• Denial 
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance
• Meaning

What are the best things to do if you are grieving?

• Be kind and gentle to yourself.
• Surround yourself with loved ones.
• Have healthy alone time, but do not isolate yourself.
• Stick to a daily routine.
• Exercise
• Journaling
• Cling to your faith.

How can we help those who are grieving?

• Assist them through practical tasks such as making a meal, cutting their grass, running an errand, etc. Use your talents and abilities to serve them.
• Be physically present.
• Keep your words simple. Let them know that you’re sorry and that you’re there for them, but sometimes the less we say, the better.
• If you’re unsure about whether or not the person grieving wants company or not, ask their close friends and family if they want company at this time.
• Whether it is a card or a text, any sign of care is a gift.

How do people arrive at the Meaning stage of grief?

The final stage of grief is meaning, where the grieving person finds some way to make sense of their loss and use it in a positive way. There are so many ways someone can reach the Meaning stage of grief, and Dimy and I discuss several examples.

Dimy Mixon is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Georgia. You can get in contact with her through the Fountain Counseling Website or email her at dimy@fountaincounseling.com. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• David Kessler’s Website
• Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey
• Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg
• Journeying Through Grief (4-Book Set) by Kenneth Haugk
• The Gift of Presence (A Guide to Helping Those Who Suffer) by Joe Pennel
• Roses in December by Marilyn Willett Heavilin
• Mending the Heart by John Claypool
• A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
• Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying by Maggie Callahan
• The Needs of the Dying: A Guide to Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Love to Life’s Final Chapter by David Kessler
• You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce, or Death by Louise Hay and David Kessler
• Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die by David Kessler
• Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler