Workshop Review
Workshop Review - Degriefing
by Rose Coulter, RN
Assistant Director,
Nurse Ministries Network
"I recently attended a workshop entitled "Degriefing", how to develop a unique and successful approach to grief counseling by Lyn Prashant. Lyn defines grief as a mental and emotional experience, usually triggered by a traumatic loss that has physiological correlates associated with deep pain.
For instance, we are all familiar with the term "heartache." It is commonly accepted that if a person experiences a traumatic emotion, even this mental and emotional state, often results in a definite physical sensation. We can feel the grief in a specific part of our body. Our insides hurt. Because our society does not deal with the grieving individual effectively, she believes such grief can create long lasting physical imbalances in the human body.
Degriefing is the process of recognizing mental and physical pain, which accompanies grief, and treating it with a combination of somatic therapies. Lyn believes certain types of physical therapies can be used to unlock and remove grief from an individual's body, and thereby heal not only physical symptoms, but mental and emotional wounds as well. She further states she also believes once an individual realizes the amount of grief he or she is exposed to, and is repressing, ignoring and carrying, that individual can build new behavior patterns that will heal them with the rest of their lives.
Perhaps it was because of my own personal journey and what I have experienced this past year that made this one of the best workshops I have ever attended. It released many stored up tears and began the healing journey. It brought me face to face with the reality of how can we be effective in our parishes if we are not in touch with our own pain and grief. How can we expect people to go through the healing process by sitting in a class without embracing all parts of their healing including the physical changes they are dealing with as well as the emotional and spiritual. We practice breathing exercises, yoga, aromatherapy, music therapy, etc. etc. but do we incorporate these entities into one so we can help facilitate holistic healing on all levels? Do we balance prayer and play? This leads to much thought and reflection. I would welcome your thoughts, articles, and feelings"
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by Rose Coulter, RN
Assistant Director,
Nurse Ministries Network
"I recently attended a workshop entitled "Degriefing", how to develop a unique and successful approach to grief counseling by Lyn Prashant. Lyn defines grief as a mental and emotional experience, usually triggered by a traumatic loss that has physiological correlates associated with deep pain.
For instance, we are all familiar with the term "heartache." It is commonly accepted that if a person experiences a traumatic emotion, even this mental and emotional state, often results in a definite physical sensation. We can feel the grief in a specific part of our body. Our insides hurt. Because our society does not deal with the grieving individual effectively, she believes such grief can create long lasting physical imbalances in the human body.
Degriefing is the process of recognizing mental and physical pain, which accompanies grief, and treating it with a combination of somatic therapies. Lyn believes certain types of physical therapies can be used to unlock and remove grief from an individual's body, and thereby heal not only physical symptoms, but mental and emotional wounds as well. She further states she also believes once an individual realizes the amount of grief he or she is exposed to, and is repressing, ignoring and carrying, that individual can build new behavior patterns that will heal them with the rest of their lives.
Perhaps it was because of my own personal journey and what I have experienced this past year that made this one of the best workshops I have ever attended. It released many stored up tears and began the healing journey. It brought me face to face with the reality of how can we be effective in our parishes if we are not in touch with our own pain and grief. How can we expect people to go through the healing process by sitting in a class without embracing all parts of their healing including the physical changes they are dealing with as well as the emotional and spiritual. We practice breathing exercises, yoga, aromatherapy, music therapy, etc. etc. but do we incorporate these entities into one so we can help facilitate holistic healing on all levels? Do we balance prayer and play? This leads to much thought and reflection. I would welcome your thoughts, articles, and feelings"
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