Blog – Full Circle Grief Center

Thank You, Britt

How do you measure the impact of one person on a community? Is it in people’s lives changed, the number of days spent on the job, the years of care and support provided not only to clients, but staff, volunteers, and board members? In the case of our Grief Services Director, Britt Cowart, maybe you…

Grief Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss

by Kerri Björkholm, Care Coordinator Losing a loved one to suicide can be an incredibly painful and complex experience. It can stir up feelings of confusion, guilt, and intense sadness. Those grieving this type of loss may struggle with unique emotions and questions, making support from friends and family crucial. If you know someone going…

October: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. and Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW Every October 15, thousands of people come together from across the country to honor and remember a type of loss that is all too common and incredibly personal: pregnancy and infant loss. The entire month of October was designated for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness by…

Guilt, Shame, and Counterfactual Thinking: How to Survive the Complexities of an Overdose Loss

by Laura McDonald, LCSW, Overdose and Substance Use-Related Loss Bereavement Services Manager A sudden traumatic loss can be overwhelming to the human mind and spirit, no matter the cause of death. Everyday we lose loved ones through tragic accidents, sudden cardiac events, war and catastrophe, leaving survivors ill equipped to reconcile with the profound loss…

Local Woman Completes Triathlon in Honor of Mother, Raises Over $7K for Full Circle

Community connection is the heart of everything we do at Full Circle, especially at our annual luncheon event, Living Your Dash, which takes place every spring. We always hope that guests leave the event inspired and bolstered by acts of kindness, grace, and the ability to make a difference in your community. However, one 2025…

Introducing Our Grief Support Services for Communities

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. Here at Full Circle, we’re no strangers to the fact that grief and bereavement are multifaceted experiences. Sometimes, the loss of a loved one can feel intensely personal and isolating while other times, a loss can shake an entire group of people and leave them struggling to cope or understand…

The Extra Backpack: Grief During the Back to School Season

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. The back to school season can present equal parts excitement and anxiety for many school-aged children and teenagers, as well as their parents. This is especially true for children, teens, and parents who are grieving. The return to a dependable schedule, routines, and activities may be a welcome change for…

The Uniqueness of Homicide Loss

by Allyson England Drake, M.Ed., FT One in ten Americans experience a death resulting from a homicide. This type of death brings about many different emotions, such as anguish, grief, isolation, and anger. Those grieving a homicide must endure the shock of a sudden loss and the pain of knowing that the violence was deliberately…

Time Heals All Wounds

by Sarah Mayfield, M.Ed., NCC, CT “Time heals all wounds.” Nope! Three thoughts: Enter Tonkin’s “Growing Around Grief.” I look at this visual 7 years after my son’s death and, you know, I can say it makes sense. My grief did not (and does not) grow smaller. My grief has not disappeared. My wounds are…

Halved: Grieving the Loss of a Spouse or Partner

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. The death of a spouse or partner is often a devastating event that can challenge a griever’s concepts of identity and stability. Whether through a sudden event, or a prolonged illness, the loss of a person’s “better half” can leave the bereaved feeling halved themselves – incomplete, lessened, and disconnected.…

Helping A Grieving Teen

by Alana Harris, Graduate Clinical Intern Grief is a deeply personal and challenging experience that affects everyone differently. Though it is something all of us will face at some point in our lives, grieving as a teen is uniquely challenging. According to Erik Erikson’s biopsychosocial model of human development, the teen years are marked by…

Pride and Grief: Loss in the LGBTQ Community

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. Grief takes on many shapes and colors, especially in regard to the LGBTQ+ community. With an unfortunate and long history of discrimination, disenfranchisement, and stigma attached to so many parts of their lives, members of the LGBTQ+ community can often find themselves at a loss when it comes to loss.…

Grief Books for Children

by Ashlyn Schooley, Undergraduate Intern Looking for a book to share with your child about loss? Full Circle Grief Center has a library filled with books for children about all different topics. It is located inside Full Circle and the books are able to be checked out by all participants. If you are looking for…

Returning to Work after Loss

by Casey Kelahan, MSW “How am I going to navigate returning to work after the death of my loved one?” In the adult groups that I have had the opportunity to facilitate here at Full Circle, this is one of the common topics of discussion. The truth is that everyone is different. Some folks find work…

Remembrance Activities for Long Summer Days

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. With the school year winding down and the sunny days of summer rolling in, many families with kids and teens may find themselves with a little more time on their hands. Although much of the usual routine of family life changes during the summer months, all of us at Full…

National Volunteer Week: Lynn Fellowes

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. Photograph courtesy of Lynn Fellowes. April 20-26 is National Volunteer Week, when nonprofits everywhere are taking a moment to thank and acknowledge the meaningful work their volunteers add to their organization every day. We are concluding our week by featuring another of our most delightful and dedicated volunteers, Lynn Fellowes.…

National Volunteer Week: Callie Newton

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. Photograph courtesy of Callie Newton. April 20-26 is National Volunteer Week, when nonprofits everywhere are taking a moment to thank and acknowledge the meaningful work their volunteers add to their organization every day. We are continuing our week by featuring another of our favorite volunteers, Callie Newton. Originally from South…

National Volunteer Week: Barry and Debbie Carver

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. Photograph courtesy of Cat McCarthy Creative, Fall Fest 2024. April 20-26 is National Volunteer Week, when nonprofits and other organizations everywhere are taking a moment to thank and acknowledge the meaningful work their volunteers bring to the table every day. But in our humble opinion, nowhere are you going to…

Did You See That? Signs and Symbols After Loss

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. The biggest rainbow you’ve ever seen. A black bear that mysteriously prowls through your backyard. A child’s toy in the most unlikely place. By themselves, these sightings may be interesting, but not particularly meaningful. But in the light of grief, everything takes on a different shape and significance. Megan Devine…

Introducing Jason Owen

by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A. Full Circle Grief Center is excited to welcome board member Jason Owen into his new role as Board Chair beginning this year. Jason has served on the board of Full Circle since 2021, and brings over 25 years of executive logistics experience, a passion for the mission, and a personal…

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