On our spiritual journeys, it’s likely we’ve had moments of awe that take our breath away and open our mind. Awe and wonder encounters can be life-changing and even lifesaving. Perhaps our awe-inspiring experience was a message in a dream, or a sense of oneness during a sunset, a blue heron flying overhead, or a song that gave us chills—awakening us spiritually.

Author, bereaved person, rehabilitation consultant, and Psychology Today blogger Val Walker shares healing stories from trauma and grief survivors who’ve been transformed by encounters with awe and wonder. She also reports on recent neuroscience research that shows how experiences of awe and wonder restore our outlook and wellbeing—and strengthen our spiritual awareness.

Grief leaves us with so many words left unsaid and thoughts to process. For many people, writing can be a helpful avenue for channeling these thoughts and feelings. However, not many know where to begin when it comes to the idea of writing for grief. In this workshop, we feature three guest speakers (Tom Flanagan of Blue Skies Rhode Island, Luna Jaffe of Look Mom, I can Fly, and Tanya Lord of Peer Support Community Partners) who share their experiences with writing throughout their grief experiences, from poetry to a published book. Watch this workshop to learn more about how anyone, regardless of background and experience, can utilize the process of writing in their grief journeys to find some comfort. 

Additional Resources:

• Panelist, Luna Jaffe’s Handout with poems and writing tips

• Panelist, Tom Flanagan’s Letter and Poem

• Panelist, Tanya Lord’s Poems

• Tom Flanagan’s Blue Skies Rhode Island website; if you want to share your writing anonymously on Tom’sUnspent Love Letters portion of the website, email him at BlueSkiesRIGrief@gmail.com

• Luna Jaffe's Look Mom, I Can Fly website and book; Luna's personal website

• Visions & Voices (PSCP-SADOD's online memorial for submitting expressions of grief)

• Julia Cameron on the importance of a daily creative ritual

• Elizabeth Gilbert's (author of Eat, Pray, Love) "Your Elusive Creative Genius" TED Talk

• Pioneer Valley Writers' Manuscript Program (can help with manuscript development)

• University of Arizona tips for poetry

• What's Your Grief Journaling Course

• Megan Devine's Refuge in Grief

• Ann Randolph's Unmute Yourself Course

• Nature sounds to help create a soothing environment for writing

• Ideas for how to start writing when you are feeling stuck

  • Brain dump

  • Subtractive poem

  • Writing prompts

  • Sentence stems

  • Finding shared community of writers (unmute class)

  • Starting with a title

  • Identifying fixations

  • Channeling a muse

Our foundational training, Grief Support 101, offers an introduction to the many ways people experience and navigate grief. Whether you are personally bereaved, work with individuals who are grieving, or simply want to deepen your understanding of loss, this training provides a compassionate foundation. Rooted in principles of peer grief support, participants are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with grief and explore how connection, empathy, and presence can foster healing. This workshop will provide a snippet of the breadth of practical information shared in the formal training. 

To register for the 3-hr Grief Support 101 training, click here.

Whether this is the first new year that you are going into since the loss of your loved one or whether you’ve done it before, starting a new year while grieving can be scary and overwhelming. This time of year is often viewed as a time for positive change and growth, but for individuals grieving it can bring unwanted change- a sense of getting further away from our deceased loved ones. This workshop normalizes and assuages these concerns while offering some practical coping tools.

Stories are a way of showing us how we see the world and what is sacred to us. They move and flow like a river as we are changed by the events of our lives, never stepping into the same water twice. Sometimes, when a loved one dies under circumstances clouded by stigma, our stories become shaped by that stigma—leaving us trapped in harmful, negative emotions that hold us back from healing. When we can release the stuck story it allows the river to flow again and sets us free to discover new stories of our loved one, changing our relationship to their life and death, our loss, and our own present and future life. This workshop, led by nationally-recognized storyteller, Meghann Perry,  offers an opportunity to explore a new relationship to the stories of our loss and the beautiful, complex life of our loved one, keeping the river open and flowing, brimming with potential for love and new possibilities.

When called to comfort others, we may feel empathy and care deeply, but sometimes what to say or do can elude us. In this workshop, we explore how to put compassion into action with practical examples of what to say and do to comfort others in distress who are facing loss and major life changes. Author, bereaved person, rehabilitation consultant, and Psychology Today blogger, Val Walker discusses recent research on empathy, grief, and social support, and examine best practices for how to be helpful. Participants share stories of comforting others and learn from each other’s experiences.

One of the best ways to move through our grief is to recognize and honor our loved ones. While we often hear phrases like “gone, but never forgotten,” it can sometimes feel daunting to memorialize our loved ones in a way that feels true to us and true to them. In this workshop we discuss creative, yet practical ways to memorialize loved ones- from blogging to art, nothing is off the table. 

We often speak about the sadness and pain of grief and less often about the dual emotions that sometimes come up. We may feel joy and sorrow, relief and guilt, alone and connected, sometimes all at once and other times in different situations. For many, we have typically thought about emotions as “either you feel one way or you feel another way.” Yet, grief forces us to confront many emotions, some which may appear to be conflicting. In this workshop we discuss the dualities of grief and how we can make space for all our emotions without feeling guilt or shame over them.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Grief is complex, and often the loss we experience is more than just the death of a loved one. Secondary losses—the ripple effects of that death—can impact many aspects of our lives in unexpected ways. Whether it’s the loss of social connections, identity shifts, or changes to our financial stability, these secondary losses can be just as profound as the death-loss itself.

In this workshop, we explore the often-overlooked secondary losses that arise after losing a loved one to substance-related causes and discuss what we can do to work through them.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

This panel discussion features individuals from different walks of life who have all been impacted by and apply harm reduction practices to their lives and the lives of those around them. Watch this video to learn more about the history and application of harm reduction.

Grief is personal, but it doesn’t have to be isolated. In this workshop, we discuss how to navigate different grieving styles within the family and find ways to heal together, even when the journey looks different for everyone.

Grief affects us on all levels- not only emotionally and spiritually, but also physically. We know support groups and therapy are out there, but many of us wonder what else we can be doing to work through our grief. Sometimes taking care of our physical bodies and the impact that grief has had on us can be very beneficial.

In this workshop, Jean Bradley, reiki master, energy medicine practitioner, and bereaved person, discusses her experiences incorporating reiki, reflexology, and the use of essential oils in her grief journey and how these have helped her. This workshop provides an overview on what these practices are and how one might get started. Please note that none of these practices are formally conducted in this educational workshop.

Grief following the death of a loved one due to substance-use-related causes is often filled with questions as to why this happened. Searching for answers to the “why” can lead us down rabbit holes that may set us further back in our grief journeys. For many, it is helpful to shift from “why” to “what next.” Instead of moving on from our loved ones, we may move forward with them by finding meaning. Meaning making is a grief support model that focuses on integrating the loss and ensuing grief into our present and future. Tune in to learn more about this grief model and ways to practice it. 

If you have experienced the death of someone you care about, you know that grief does not go away. Rather, we adapt to carrying it and grow around our grief. Some individuals experience a phenomenon known as "Post-Traumatic Growth." This workshop, Exploring Post-Traumatic Growth After Grief, offers a compassionate exploration of the unique challenges faced by those bereaved by substance-use-related deaths. Participants discuss navigating grief, understanding PTG, and practical coping strategies, fostering a supportive environment for personal reflection and growth.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Experiencing the death of a loved one due to substance use makes us confront the fragility of life. Such an experience fundamentally changes many of us. Some of these changes feel empowering as we grow around our grief, but others may be more challenging. One of the more challenging experiences that some grieving individuals face is newfound anxiety or amplified anxiety. We may feel anxious about our own health and wellbeing or that of others we care about. We may experience anxiety over what others will think of us or how we will continue to move through life following such a devastating experience. 

This workshop does not diagnose anxiety or give medical/therapeutic advice. Rather, it features a discussion where we touch on some of the reasons why anxiety comes up during the grief experience and what we can do about it. This workshop aims to normalize this experience and to provide attendees and viewers with evidence-based, non-medical coping strategies. 

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Substance-related deaths leave behind grieving families, including grandparents and other relatives who often take on the role of caregiver. In the U.S., over one million children are living with grandparents due to the overdose crisis, a number that continues to grow. We must ask: How can we support these grieving grandparents, who are often caring for others at the expense of their own grief? This workshop features a panel of individuals who identify as grieving grands and/or as those supporting grieving grands discusses best practices in supporting grieving grands and those who care for them. This workshop also provides helpful tools for those caring for grieving children.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Guilt and Regret are common in many individuals’ grief experiences, especially when navigating sudden and traumatic deaths, such as those due to substance-related causes. In this workshop, we discuss the commonality of these experiences, the reason why they come up so often, and what we can do to work through them.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

The number of emotions that we experience when we are grieving the death of somebody we care about can be overwhelming. We are often told to “not think about it” or “let go,” which are much easier said than done. In comes Mindfulness- a practice in which we lean inwards and pay non-judgmental attention to our thoughts, feelings, the surrounding environment, and more. By doing the opposite of “not thinking about it,” we may disarm the hold that these thoughts and feelings have on us. 

Watch this discussion on the beneficial role that Mindfulness can play in our grief journeys. We will discuss tips for getting started and we will also engage in some introductory Mindfulness practices during the workshop. 

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Bereaved individuals are often told to “move on” or to “let go.” Yet, for many, that is the last thing they want to do, or feel that they can do. Continuing Bonds is a grief theory that describes this very desire and for many, need, to stay connected with our deceased loved ones. This workshop discusses the continuing bonds theory, how it can be helpful to the bereaved, and of course, ways to continue bonds with our loved ones. 

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

For many grievers, The Holidays are one of the most difficult times of the year. Although society floods us with images of joy and expectations to embrace the holiday season, this is often not the experience of individuals that are grieving. Some may want to skip holiday traditions, others may want to find ways to honor their loved one(s) throughout the holidays, others may want to create new traditions in the wake of the death, and all of these are OK. 

View this discussion on boundaries and coping strategies for the holiday season, and listen to those personally impacted by grief share space with one another to discuss the upcoming holidays. Most importantly, we hope this workshop will convey the fact that you are not alone in feeling apprehensive about the holidays. 

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Do you feel trapped in your grief; worried to bring it up because others will judge you and your loved one? Do you battle shame of your loved one due to their cause of death? View this discussion about the effects of stigma on one's grief journey. This is an opportunity to learn new ways of responding to stigma, on individual and societal levels.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by grief and not sure how to cope? Do you wish you had more coping skills in your toolkit? Join us for this workshop where you will hear from members of our staff who have found creative ways to cope with their grief. From song writing to karate, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding the things that lift us up when we are feeling down. 

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.

When our loved ones die, they do not disappear. We feel their presence all around us through our ongoing love, memories, and for some people, through signs and symbols. Whether you are out and about and see something that instantly makes you feel like your loved one is with you or watching you, or you have moments where you feel a deeper sense of connection, you may consider them to be winking at you with love. Check out this workshop where we discuss the power of signs, symbols, and dreams in our grief journeys.

Purchasing this workshop requires downloading the video file, which is large. The download link will be sent to you as soon as you place the order. Please note, the download link expires after 24 hours. If you would like to download after 24 hours, a new link will be sent to you. Furthermore, this video is for personal viewing and not for sharing or distribution. Please direct any questions to Laura Vargas: Laura@peersupportcommunitypartners.com or 857-391-5530.