S2: Episode 23- Growing in Grief

Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare

Kristen Lew-Byrne, RSW

Founded “Growing in Grief” 1 year ago 🥳 HAPPY Anniversary!

Lives in Hamilton, 1 hour west of Toronto, Canada

Provides 1:1 Grief & Loss counseling

Experienced in clinical consulting as social worker long-term care LTC facility,

Previous hospice agency manager of bereavement

Education & Support Groups “Honoring our grief as healthcare practitioners”

Artist, utilizes artistic modalities for grief counseling

Former fashion designer, Kristen drew logo herself

Instagram page

https://www.instagram.com/growing.in.grief?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Mission-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system.

1. Story (theme) Fashion Designer for 7 years until maternal grandfather died and grandmother needed to live with Kristen and Mother. During grandmother’s health decline, gaps in care became evident. “Aha moment in life” happened when a 16-month fast track Social Services gerontology program “filled her cup. “

2. Educate -Teaching points

A Definition of Grief: “When love meets loss”

What do we grieve? Defined personally: job, relationship, not just death https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518989/

Stages of Grief: experts Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kressler shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, and acceptance. Bottom line, grief is NOT linear. One becomes a whole new person with new identity after grieving process. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/grieving-process

Creative approach to processing grief: water color, finger prints, seeds, transplanting pieces of garden.

Feeling Stuck? Wherever you’re at is okay💜 It’s okay to NOT BE OKAY💜

3. Empower -A valuable a resource https://www.growingingrief.ca

Website info https://mourningdovemedical.com

Video podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/rcxx4MfRV5I?si=rZroca-Ek5kZ6tIO #hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #Grief #Counselor #Bereavement #Olympics #Toronto #SocialWork