The Blog

Will I Ever Feel Better? Grief and Loss Counseling by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT

We all have experienced sadness and grief at one time or another in our lifetime.  Working with people who have had a difficult loss, whether they have been in grief groups  I have facilitated or seen privately, the questions they have asked are: 1.  Will I ever feel better? 2.  Will I ever get over

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Making Mistakes, Learning and Growing : by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Grief and Loss Counseling

What is it about making mistakes that makes us feel so embarrassed?  We sometimes feel like hiding and running away.  Yet the truth is, we all will make mistakes.  It is the way we learn.  There is no way to move through life without making mistakes. I once got a fortune cookie at a Chinese

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Grief and Loss: Part of Our Human Experience: by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT

In life, there will be times when we have sadness and regrets about choices we have made.  I read a line in a novel called Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, and I was very struck by what  the author wrote, in regards to grieving what we did not do or get.  “Blaine needed what she

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What It Takes To Make A Relationship Last: Thoughts and Reflections by , Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT

All people, gay and straight, and transgender come into their  relationships with their own baggage and pre-conceived ideas. We come from a variety of religions, colors, culture and ethnic backgrounds which adds to the diversity and richness and also makes the relationships we are in more complicated. It takes courage, determination, love and grit not

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Accidental Deaths May Leave You, Shocked and Grieving: by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Grief and Loss Counseling

When someone you know, a family member or friend dies in an accident, there is no chance to say goodbye, I love you, please be careful, you are precious, you are amazing, no there is no time to say any of this.  One minute the person is here with us, the next they are gone

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The Importance of Being Authentic: by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT Grief and Loss Counseling

What does being authentic mean?   Being authentic means being true to yourself.  It means that you will pay attention to what your mind, heart, body and spirit are needing and telling you each day. Your body will tell you, don’t drink anymore, don’t eat any more, please move me around and if you listen,

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9 Thoughts About Being Present With People in Grief: by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Grief and Loss Counseling

It never ceases to amaze me how ill prepared we are for death.  We  don’t know how to talk to our family and friends about it.  We shy away from comforting people who are experiencing loss, or we talk to them in a way that does not really help them. Here are some of my

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Using Writing To Help With the Grieving Process: Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT, Santa Rosa Grief and Loss Counselor

When you are in the middle of big loss and the world seems cold and lonely, writing can help you get through some tough hours.  Journaling can help you feel that there is somewhere you can write all the words that are bottled  up inside of you.  Write and keep on writing.  Don’t worry if

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Happy New Year: Thoughts and Reflections for the Coming Year: Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT Grief and Loss Counseling

A new year holds exciting possibilities!  New chances to make your life more joyful, new relationships, working on being more healthy, more mindful. What I see as really important is that a new year holds hope that we humans can make better choices for ourselves, do more self-care, and really explore in a more thorough way

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Using Winter as a Journey in Self Reflection: Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT Grief and Loss Counseling

The long, silent winter is here. the Holidays are upon us and people are running around trying to get ready.  I hope you will try to keep things simple as to keep the stress levels down.                                      

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