Good Grief: Guided Sessions
There are endless ways grief shows up in our lives:
the death of a loved one, the anticipated death of a loved one, the loss of the kinds of things we dream of, ecological loss, feeling the pain of others, or simply existing on this Earth at this time.
All are welcome here.
When we grieve, our edges soften. Life becomes richer. Our relationships are more honest and real and nourishing. We’re better friends, neighbors, and lovers. We’re more willing to just be with what's hard, which is a lot these days. It can feel risky especially without much positive, integrated experience. Know that it’s always worth the risk to be a bold and loving and vulnerable person. Grieving allows for us to flex instead of shatter. Grieving allows you to feel less pressure and more freedom.
Grief is life affirming: it proclaims our intimacy with the world, with the seen and unseen. Grief holds a sacred paradox between unbearable devastation and exquisite beauty— namely that of being alive. In times of grief, we are broken apart and put back together again. Fortified by new relations, new kin, that come to us in our moments of rawness.
When we grieve, we keep the energy flowing. It doesn’t get stuck. It doesn’t create blocks. It doesn’t have the chance to become dense and create illness in the physical body, or in the mind, heart, or soul.
Sessions are approximately an hour long. No two sessions are alike. We take time to connect to what is on your heart and I listen and witness you as you are. Together, we look at how your grief needs to be seen, and co-create ritual and meaning to support you in your process. I provide energetic assistance, clarity, direction, and connection to the unfolding. You tend and nurture your grief. There is nothing that needs to be fixed. You are grieving, you are not broken.
Questions about sessions:
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The most important part is showing up. Give yourself as much privacy as you can in your space, and let yourself be very comfortable. If you live with others, it can be supportive to let them know you’ll be unavailable for about an hour. If you live with an animal, it can be supportive to have them nearby. Some folks like to light a candle, have a cozy beverage, and bring something to write with.
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On Zoom! You’ll receive a link when you book a session.
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-Dropping into the shared (virtual) space with a prayer
-Centering in the body with a guided breathing practice
-Chatting and sharing about what is top of heart in the moment
-Sometimes, a guided mediation to fortify and center further
-Receiving recommended resources (books, podcasts, articles, journal prompts, etc)
-Before wrapping up, I will ensure you feel grounded in your body and your nervous system is regulated
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Of course, there is a spectrum to experience. The vibe tends to skew more towards a cozy hug versus a big, cathartic release. You will be very grounded in your body and your nervous system will be regulated. You might be very tired after, or you may experience a burst of energy. Honor whatever your body is asking for. Light movement could be supportive: a walk, dancing, or yoga. Spending some quiet time outside or taking a bath are also an excellent ways to integrate.
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Whenever your heart feels the tug and your finger books the session. We can work with anticipatory grief, fresh grief, or decades old grief.
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Of course. Giving the gift of grief is beautiful. Just know they may hold onto the session for a while until they feel ready.
You can also donate a session to the community-- purchasing a session that will then be able to be offered free of charge to someone of leaner means.
Please send an email (hello@ashleywaverley.com) to set up these requests.
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It’s probably too general to say “anyone”, but the answer is anyone. These sessions are a beautiful companion to other healing and therapeutic modalities and practices. It’s a non-dogmatic, non-diagnostic, non-goal-oriented container.
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There is no linear path or completion for your grief. It can be a one-off meeting, or we could work weekly or biweekly as needed. It is up to you. It can be supportive to have at least a few sessions to give the relationship some time, and without any perceived notion to “get something done” all in one session.
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Grief, Briefly
What is grief? Why grieve? How to grieve?
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Griefwalking
and meeting new kin.
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Space, Hunger, and Mothering
To those waiting in the wings.
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A Prayer For What's Possible
Sometimes you have to burn it all down.
