Freeze, Thaw, Fire and Ice: Cycles of Grief and Longing

Lori Claerhout

Lori is a writer, editor, events organizer, and workshop leader whose acts have reached retreat attendees, newsletter and book readers, distance education students, audience members, and beyond. Her own walk through grief informs her impulse to use writing as a release. Lori has been praised for creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing helpful tools for writing through your emotions.

During Lori's session, we will go through "Writing through grief when it feels like all around you is fire and ice" - Individually, we’ve each been down some unimaginable roads. Together, we will gently approach the paper or the keyboard and consider suggestions for writing what’s on our minds and in our hearts. The only goal: that we show up, in this moment, for ourselves and our grief journeys.

Please note that during this session, there will be a virtual break-out room available should the flow of emotion become too much for any of our guests. Samantha Pekh, M.A. – Registered Psychologist, Certified Traumatologist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Clinical Director of PsychSolutions will be available for care and support in this space.

Samantha Pekh

Samantha Pekh, M.A. – Registered Psychologist, Certified Traumatologist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Clinical Director of PsychSolutions, a mental wellness clinic based in Edmonton. Samantha specializes in the areas of trauma, motor vehicle accident and work-injury recovery, bipolar management, and suicide prevention and bereavement. Her award-winning children's book, “Why Did Daddy End His Life? Why Did He Have to Die?" A Suicide Bereavement Book for Children and Parents,” captures many of the thoughts and emotions experienced by grieving children. Common concerns and questions that arise after such a loss, such as “How do I explain suicide?” are addressed in the accompanying parent guide. In addition to her professional activities in the area of loss and grief, Samantha and her family have journeyed their own grief path when her husband, and father to their young children, passed away after a sudden and unexpected illness.

During Samantha's session, we will explore the various emotions and difficulties experienced after such a loss, in addition to covering practical healing steps that can be taken by both the bereaved and by their supporters.