News & Press

Grief Is Not a Disorder

Grief Is Not a Disorder

Grief Is Not a Disorder My Position on the New “Prolonged Grief Disorder” Diagnostic Category in the DSM by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.   Our phone at the Center for Loss and Life Transition has been ringing off the hook in recent weeks with requests for my opinion of...
Waking Up to Gratitude

Waking Up to Gratitude

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.   I’ve become a fan of sunrises. Before COVID-19 changed all of our lives, my busy travel and teaching schedule had me hopping. Most mornings after I woke up, I went straight to work. I had a love-hate relationship with the adrenaline of...

The Paradoxes of Mourning: Part 3 of 3

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Backtracking on the Route to Healing Paradox 3: Mourners must go backward before they can go forward. A paradox is a seemingly self-contradictory statement or situation that is in fact often true. The paradox of mourning we will consider...

The Paradoxes of Mourning: Part 1 of 3

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Creating Hello Opportunities Paradox 1: Families must say hello before they can say goodbye.   A paradox is a seemingly self-contradictory statement or situation that is in fact often true. The paradox of mourning we will consider...

The Paradoxes of Mourning: Part 2 of 3

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. The Dark Night of the Soul Paradox 2: Mourners must make friends with the darkness before they can enter the light.   A paradox is a seemingly self-contradictory statement or situation that is in fact often true. The paradox of mourning...

Helping a Friend in Grief

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “While the above guidelines will be helpful, it is important to recognize that helping a grieving friend will not be an easy task.  You may have to give more concern, time and love that you ever knew you had.  But this effort will be...

Exploring the Uniqueness of Your Suicide Grief

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.   “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love, and to be greater than our suffering.” —Ben Okri The wilderness of your grief is your wilderness. The death of someone from...

Helping a Grandparent Who Is Grieving

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.   “When a grandchild dies, grandparents grieve twice.  They mourn the loss of the child and they feel the pain of their own child’s suffering.  Sometimes we forget about the grandparents when a child dies.  You can help by...

Exploring Your Feelings of Loss

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.   “There is no right response to death. You make it up as you go along.” – Joan Connor On your journey through the wilderness of your grief, a critical trail marker to be on the watch for is Touchstone Four, which guides you in...