Patience and Grace During Your Grief Journey
By Allyson Drake Experiencing grief can bring about many challenges in our lives, such as overcoming intense emotional pain, returning to work and personal responsibilities,
Grief and Time
By Ashley Nowell I have found myself wrestling even struggling with the concept of time especially as it relates to grief and loss. As we
When are you going to……
Wendy Boggs, MS/G Full Circle Intern This Fall, I had the honor of facilitating a book-based support group using Megan Devine’s book, “It’s OK that
Tips for Coping with Grief at the Holidays
Tip One: For anyone dealing with the death of a loved one, the holidays can be a time of sadness, dread, or pain. It can
Help Grieving Children Through the Holidays
Helping Grieving Children Through the Holidays Adults play an important role in helping children grieve, especially over the holidays when new emotions and memories can
What I Would Tell My High School Self: Thoughts on the Dual Process Model of Grief
By: Rachel Gaffin, Full Circle Intern When I was seventeen, one of my best friends died in a car crash. Two years older than me,
Dia de los Muertos
By: Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT Dia de los Muertos, also known as “Day of the Dead” is a holiday that is celebrated all over
After a Miscarriage or Stillbirth: The Benefits of a Memorial Service
By: Jenny Bliley, LCSW, Bliley’s Funeral Home, Guest Blogger “Sometimes love is for a moment, Sometimes love is for a lifetime, Sometimes a moment is
I Write Letters to the Dead and I Wear Their Clothes
By: Shannon O’Neill, Guest Blogger In the last year and a half, I have lost two of the most important people in my life —
Easy Yoga for Grief: Two poses. Two minutes.
By: Rachel Machacek, LCSW When talking about self care in grief, yoga and meditation are excellent (and research-backed) strategies for grounding and stabilizing, especially when
Continuing Bonds: How We Can Stay Connected to our Loved Ones
By: Stacia Macklin, LCSW Many of us, both grievers and helpers, are familiar with traditional grief models that focus on “stages” and “tasks” or “closure”
Sibling Loss
By: Shannon Weisleder, Guest Blogger “Because of you, I will always have a friend.” Ten years ago, I lost my only brother Matthew to suicide. He was
What is Disenfranchised Grief?
By: Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT Kenneth Doka created the term disenfranchised grief as “a loss that is not or cannot be openly acknowledged, socially
Seniors and Grief
By: Britt Cowart, LCSW There are approximately 47 plus million Senior Citizens in the US (65 and older) and this population is doubling. The average age
Faith in Times of Grief and Loss
By: Rev. Stephen Coleman, Reveille United Methodist Church, Guest Blogger One hot summer afternoon, my dad and I were riding in the car together, heading
Young Adult Grief
By: Kristen Emerson, LCSW, Bon Secours Bereavement Center, Guest Blogger Grief is unique for each person, but sometimes themes emerge for different types of loss. Read
Yoga During Grief: 3 Helpful Activities Anyone Can Do Now
By: Deirdre Turner, CYT, Guest Blogger When my sister’s life was taken by homicide, I found myself in an anguished state of grief and shock;
Different Types of Grievers
By: Karen Kennedy, MSW One of the hardest parts of grieving is understanding that everyone grieves differently. Individuals respond differently to grief on a number of
Coping with Secondary Grief and Trauma
By: Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT COVID-19 Pandemic. Senseless acts of violence. School shootings of young children. Numerous mass shootings. Increased suicides in our country.
Grief & Bereavement for LGBTQ+ Youth
By: Rachel Melhorn, LCSW In supporting LGBTQ+ youth through grief and loss, it is important to remember the unique experience of these individuals. While it
A Father’s Grief
By: Adam Carpenter In November of 2017 my life changed forever. My wife and I unexpectedly lost our first daughter at 23 weeks gestation. The
Strength in Grief
By: Rusty Ramsey, Full Circle Board Member Coping with grief and dealing with the loss of a parent is difficult, especially as a child. Elementary school
Ask, Listen, & Learn
By: Jason Owen, Full Circle Board Member There are a handful of topics no one wants to discuss. In not talking about them, our minds are
How Buddhism’s “Built-In Grievance Process” Helped Me
By: Laura (Thien Huong) Pho, Guest Blogger My Mom, Lucy Le (pronounced “lay”), was killed in a pedestrian crash in front of our home by a
Grandparent Grief
By: Margo Asay, Full Circle Supporter and Guest Blogger I’m a fixer – I think all moms are. No matter how old your child is, moms
Passed but Present
By: Kali Newlen-Burden, Guest Blogger and Full Circle Volunteer/Supporter Twenty-two years, one month, and 20 days. That’s how long I was blessed with my mom’s
A Journey of Hope and Healing
By: Emily Frank, Full Circle Volunteer and Long Time Supporter Mother’s Day is always a challenge for my family as I lost my mother when
Facing Mother’s Day Without Your Mother
By: Allyson England Drake, Full Circle Founder and Executive Director My mother, Joan Carter England, died April 29, 2018 from pancreatic cancer. She was sick
Mother’s Day: Thinking of ALL Mothers
By Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW, Perinatal Bereavement Services Manager Mother’s Day is quickly approaching as we settle into spring. The day is celebrated with flowers and picnics,
Getting Curious About Grief
By: Melissa Weaver, LCSW Join us for an exploration regarding your journey of grief integration where we will explore where you are now, where you
2022 LYD Award Recipients
We’re excited and honored to introduce you to this year’s Live Your Dash Award recipients. These individuals are using their time, skills and energy to
Grief that Accompanies a Termination for Medical Reasons
By: Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW Termination or interruption of a pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR) occurs when the baby has been given a life-limiting diagnosis in
Journaling for Healing
By Britt Cowart, LCSW, Grief Services Director Grief journaling is one way of allowing ourselves the space for genuine healing to take place, whether we’re
Keeping Daniel’s Memory Alive
By: Keith D. Lewis, Full Circle Suicide Loss Group Participant Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Daniel or see him in
Remember Your Baby After Pregnancy or Infant Loss
By: Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW, Perinatal Bereavement Services Manager One of the many things that make pregnancy and infant loss so painful and bewildering is that there
Bereaved Mothers Share Their Stories
Mother’s Day is a day of celebration for many, but should also be a time of acknowledging those women in your life who have experienced
2022 Live Your Dash Luncheon
Full Circle is proud to present our 8th annual Live Your Dash Luncheon Friday, April 29, 2022. The luncheon is themed after the poem titled “The
Loss of My Child
By: Tiffany Spede, Guest Blogger “You mean my baby is dead?”“I’m telling you her heart isn’t strong enough on its own, so we are having
Grounding Techniques to Support Grieving Children
By Rachel Melhorn, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist Here at Full Circle, we talk a lot about “big feelings.” When we use this term, we are
Mindful Movement to Support Grieving Children
By Rachel Melhorn, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist For many children, movement (bouncing, running, fidgeting, skipping) is a natural state of being. Many times, when we
Loss in Later Life
By Wendy Boggs, MS-G, Counseling Intern To play on a common turn of phrase, when you’ve seen one older adult, you’ve seen ONE older adult. This
Supporting Those Grieving an Overdose Loss
By: Stacia Macklin, LCSW, Overdose Bereavement Services Manager Five years ago, Full Circle recognized that a growing number of families attending our general loss group
How to Help a Grieving Teenager: 10 Tips for Handling Teen Grief
By: Catherine Brown Source: Your Teen, For Parents When my teen daughter experienced the death of a friend last year, I felt completely unprepared to
We Need to Know You Remember Them
By: Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT I often am asked, by caring friends and family members, about the best ways to support an individual who
Honoring a Baby that has Died
By Carrie Schaeffer, Perinatal Bereavement Services Manager After a pregnancy or infant loss, many parents wrestle with finding ways to honor their baby and keep
Guilt and Grief
By Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT It is very common for people to experience guilt, the feeling you get when you think you did something
Supporting Teens after A Suicide Loss
By Maryse Eubank, M.Ed There is a reason the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention and many other organizations refer to those who have lost a
Finding Meaning From Grief
By Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT David Kessler is a bereavement expert who discusses finding meaning after the death of a loved one. I want to
Grieving the Loss of a Sibling
By: Britt Cowart, Grief Services Director It’s estimated that 80% of individuals in the US grow up with siblings. Siblings are your life partners in the
Grief at the Holidays
When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, the weeks leading up to the holidays can be challenging. Members of our Clinical team
Grief & Loss During the Holidays
This is a beautiful remembrance activity shared by What’s Your Grief — a simple, yet meaningful way to explore the complex feelings around the loss
Grief and Remembrance During Thanksgiving
By: Wendy Boggs, MS/G, Intern Thanksgiving often conjures up memories of roasting turkey, family gathered around the TV watching parades and football games, long naps
Worthwhile Grief & Loss Podcasts
Podcasts are a great alternative to reading when you are hoping to learn new information. The beauty of a podcast is that you can listen while
Father’s Day in Three Phases
By: Guest Blogger, Kirk Stepp Father’s Day over the course of my 40 years have fallen into three phases: Son, Loss, and Father. For the first
Rocks of Remembrance
Holidays can often trigger powerful emotions and memories of our lost loved ones, no matter how much time has passed. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Ways We Remember Our Loved Ones
When my sister-in-law died, many family members were with her in those final moments. To honor and remember her, we like to gather together every
Remembering Your Loved Ones on Special Occasions
By: Stacia Macklin, LCSW, ACSW, Overdose Bereavement Services Manager/Therapist Conversations About Grief (CAG) are a series of educational programs hosted by Full Circle professionals. This CAG will explore
10 Tips for Caregivers During COVID-19
By: Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW, Perinatal Bereavement Services Manager Caregiving for a loved one who is ill or frail is a full-time job that can be
Blooms of Hope
Holidays can often trigger powerful emotions and memories of our lost loved ones, no matter how much time has passed, whether it be a spouse,
Staying Connected Through Social Distancing
By Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW, Perinatal Bereavement Services Manager “We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We
Family Grief Support: Hands on Healing
What is Hands on Healing? Full Circle’s Hands on Healing (HOH) groups support children ages 3-17 and their adult caregiver who have experienced the loss of
Supporting Emotional Regulation in Grieving Children
By: Rachel Melhorn, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist Grieving children often feel a range of emotions from sadness and anger to jealousy or fear. When a
In the Company of Misery
By: Jamala Arland When my son, Jasper, died, so many women reached out and shared their stories of pregnancy and infant loss. Some were peripherally
Celebrating 12 Years of Full Circle
Thoughts from our staff, board members, and community members I was introduced to Full Circle by someone who had worked with me during my time
12 Quotes About Grief
Celebrating 12 Years of Full Circle “Grief is the price we pay for love.” – Queen Elizabeth II “Grief is like the ocean; it comes
12 Resources Worth Sharing
Celebrating 12 years of Full Circle 1. What’s Your Grief An online community that provides hope, support, and education to anyone wishing to understand the
Managing Anxiety and Fear During the COVID-19 Crisis
By Stacia Macklin, LSCW, Overdose Bereavement Services Manager During this COVID crisis, we are all having to process and navigate change, uncertainty, new expectations at
Ways to Support Grieving Children During This Global Crisis
By Rachel Melhorn, LCSW We recognize the challenges many parents are facing as they are tasked with closures to businesses and schools. Below are some
The Goodbye Book
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, read by our Full Circle board members,
Tear Soup
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, read by our Full Circle board
Worries Are Not Forever
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, some read by our Full Circle
The Feelings Book
Each Sunday, parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, read by our Full
Family Friday Series: Family Vision Board
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Family Friday Series: Binoculars of the Future
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Family Friday Series: Memory Box
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Coping with Anxiety as Part of Your Grief
By: Britt Cowart, LCSW, Grief Services Director Conversations About Grief (CAG) are a series of educational programs hosted by Full Circle professionals. In this week’s conversation,
Incredibly Lonely, That’s Me
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, read by our Full Circle staff
Family Friday Series: Miss You Flower
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Virtual Individual Counseling: How Does It Work?
The Covid-19 Pandemic has dramatically altered everyone’s daily lives, including how professionals support people grieving the death or anticipating the loss of a loved one
Virtual Counseling: Serving, Adapting, and Connecting
COVID-19 has required precautions that may limit availability of resources and services and know that people can feel helpless while working with individuals and families
How to Support a Grieving Family During COVID-19 Restrictions
By Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT Families who are grieving during this pandemic cannot gather with friends and family to provide one another other with
My Many Colored Days
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, read by our Full Circle staff
Family Friday Series: In Their Shoes
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Family Friday Series: #RVARocks
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Giving Tuesday Now
Full Circle is a proud participant of Giving Tuesday Now! What is #GivingTuesdayNow? #GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will take
In My Heart
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Story Time. The books, read by our Full Circle
Family Friday Series: Coping Catchers
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Ways to Help a Survivor of Suicide Loss
By Maryse Eubank, M.Ed. When we hear someone has died by suicide, our hearts go out to those that are left behind. Grief related to a
The Rabbit Listened
Parents and children are invited to find a cozy spot at home and join us for Storytime. The books, read by our Full Circle staff
Family Friday Series: Mindful Mandalas
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
Volunteer Spotlight
Here at Full Circle we are fortunate to have some of RVA’s most amazing volunteers. In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we’d like to introduce
Saying Goodbye to a Dying Friend or Family Member During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT Facing the death of a friend or family member is a devastating experience. In “normal” times, we can sit
Virtual Story Time
From the very beginning, our goal as an organization in the COVID-19 crisis has been to serve our community, adapt our business model, and connect
Family Friday Series: Feelings Hopscotch
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of grief and
A Love Letter to Social Workers on the Front Lines of COVID-19
By: Melanie Sage, LCSW, PhD Published: April 9, 2020 Social workers are often unsung heroes, and that’s often ok with them. They go about their
Give Local. Support Local.
In the last month, the world has faced feelings of isolation and grief with the COVID-19 crisis. Our way of life has changed dramatically, our routines
Family Friday Series: Feelings Jar
Welcome to Family Fridays — a series designed to give parents and children fun, meaningful activities you can do at home to explore feelings of
Introducing: Family Fridays
A hallmark of our Hands on Healing group is our family activity. Full Circle is committed to our community and in our continued effort to
Healthy Coping Amidst COVID-19
By Michael Rose, Clinical Mental Health Counselor In times like these, we tend to have increased concerns for our own health. We also have genuine
Give Local. Support Local.
What exactly does my donation support? How is the center helping others during the stay-at-home order by the governor? There are so many places asking
Serve. Adapt. Connect.
Our community has brought Full Circle through adversity in the past and we know that we can count on you in the future. What we
Grief & Feelings of Loss During COVID-19
By Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CTFull Circle, Founder and Executive Director During this period of uncertainty, we’re all experiencing some level of loss – loss
Coping with Change and Loss
This booklet, created by the National Alliance for Grieving Children (with the support for Alex Cares for Grieving Youth) is a great resource for families
A Parent Resource for COVID-19
COVID-19 has heightened our sense of fear, uncertainty and anxiety and it can be especially difficult for children and teens to make sense of what’s
At-home Activities to Facilitate Healthy Expression with Your Child
Written by Rachel Melhorn, LCSW, RPT Below are activities we utilize in our family Hands on Healing Program to support families in communicating feelings, thoughts
Finding Hope After Loss
By Caroline Lavoie, Clinical Social Work Intern For Masters level social work students, internship placement day is among the most nerve wracking and exciting. Where
Celebrating Social Work Month
Full Circle is helping celebrate National Social Work Month in March and the beginning of a new decade with the theme “Social Workers: Generations Strong.”
Pregnancy After Loss
Those who have experienced ‘Pregnancy After Loss’ know it is not simply a time marked by celebration and happiness. While there will probably be moments
Talking to Children About Perinatal Loss
Losing a baby is challenging for all members of the family. Grieving parents may be wondering how to discuss this loss with their other
Sharing Your Story of Loss
Sharing your story of perinatal loss can be challenging. It feels personal, emotional, and exhausting at times (or maybe all the time). The experience is
Pregnancy Loss and Meaningful Grieving
October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. At Full Circle, we recognize the unique grief of individuals who have experienced these types of
Self-Care for Caregivers
Being a caregiver for a loved one can be overwhelming and exhausting. It is a long and arduous journey that often has no foreseeable end.
Benefits of the Group Process
Research shows that group support intervention for children and adults, as well as education for the parents and other adults in a child’s life, can
Unresolved Grief
While death is a normal part of life, many individuals experience numerous challenges following the death of a close loved one. Children and adults often
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed
Your Mental Health and Grief
Mental health is your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It effects how we think, feel and act in every stage of life. Grief is a
Suicide Loss: Connection is Key
Suicide Loss: Connection is Key The Benefits of a Support Group A loss by suicide can be confusing. Individuals grieving a loved one to suicide
Twelve Tips to Help a Grieving Loved One during the Holidays
Twelve Practical Tips for Saying, Doing the Right Things The holidays are quickly approaching, and while many people look forward to yearly traditions, gatherings with
Helping Grieving Children During the Holidays
Helping Children Cope with Grief During the Holidays Click here for 6 tips to help children cope with grief during the holidays plus 3
How to Survive Early Grief
These are great insight to help understand the early days of grief. Early grief is not an ordinary time, and ordinary rules do not apply.
Ways to Support Grieving Parents through a Perinatal Loss
“October 15 marks a day of reflection for many parents across the U.S. – National Infant and Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day. Many people have experienced
TOGETHER
Day 5 TOGETHER we create “My name is Micah and I am 14 years old. My family came to Full Circle because my dad died
Helping Children Remember and Honor Their Loved Ones
HELPING CHILDREN REMEMBER AND HONOR THEIR LOVED ONES By Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT Founder/Executive Director Saying goodbye to a loved one who has
What Grieving Children Need
This is such an important article by Jennifer Bannan published in the Washington Post on July 25, 2017 about what grieving children need – acknowledgment