29 - Guest Expert: Mandi Zucker, Grief Recovery Specialist, Supporting Grieving Teens

Host: Dr. Tara Egan
Co-host: Anna, teen daughter
Guest Expert: Mandi Zucker, Grief Recovery Specialist

Today we welcome a fantastic guest, her name is Mandi Zucker and she is a Grief Recovery Specialist. Mandi is a former school social worker, the founder of Inner Harbor (a  supportive program for grieving students) , and the host of a podcast called "The Mourning Meeting", for college students that have experienced loss.

Mandi is here today to discuss supporting grieving teens. Many people often think of grief as what one goes through after a death, but how Mandi describes it is the natural, normal response we all have to a loss of something meaningful to us. It can be a relationship, an actual person, a job, a home, really anything that has meaning to us.

Tune in as we discuss the relationship with grief and trauma and how effective communication with your kids/loved ones can be beneficial for their well-being... How the phrase "I was wondering how you are doing" is a better way to open up a conversation than asking directly. Letting someone know that you care is so important.

What are the signs that parents should look for if grief is impacting your college student's mental health? How can parents best support their college student from a distance when they are away at school?

What strategies and coping skills can the college students develop themselves to manage their grief and continue to benefit from the college experience? What specific resources can they use in the moment and maybe in crisis? What to do if someone shares with you that they are having suicidal thoughts.

Tara shares some personal stories about her own grief around being an empty nester down the road and also her father's death and how it affected her then and today.

To learn more about Mandi and her services, GO HERE.
To learn more about The Empowered Stepmother coaching group, visit HERE.
To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan's child & adolescent therapy services, visit HERE.
To join our private FB group for parents of high schoolers and soon-to-be high schoolers, visit HERE.
To join us on Instagram, visit HERE. 

This episode was edited by Laura Bauder from PodcastHERS.