The loss of a loved one affects our emotional and physical well-being in many ways. In the throes of grief it can be very difficult to process our feelings, maintain a schedule, and feel motivated to think about the future. There truly is no timeline for grief as...
Most of the time in life, as well as in the act of doing and growing, it’s helpful to have goals. Goals that help you track where you want to go and how to grow. Goals that are even called SMART goals; which is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable,...
When we lose someone we love, especially to the insidious epidemics of substance abuse, suicide, and sudden violence, we often face a spiritual crisis: “How could a loving God let this happen?” “Where are they now? Are they OK?” “Why? . . . Why? . . . Why?” In the...
When you have lost someone, facing the holidays is overwhelming. When my son Eric died, I dreaded the holidays – I tried to avoid them altogether. When we are bereaved by suicide, substance, or other forms of self-harm, the holidays are overshadowed by an intense...
You’ve recently lost a loved one, and the holidays are just around the corner. Typically, this is a time filled with excitement and joy, but you’re finding it harder to feel the holiday spirit this time around. When you lose someone special, your life feels like it’s...
After the death of my son, my first questions were “Where is he now?” “Is he OK?” After talking with my priest and spiritual director, I realized that Eric was perfect now – his best self. I began to ponder the ideas of an afterlife, eternal life, and Heaven. I...
I’d like to share a little story with you: ‘A man who had lost his son to a fentanyl overdose 4 weeks earlier, on his own initiative, found us on the Internet and sought us out to see if we could help him deal with his grief.’ That’s it, that’s my story. It’s true,...
I recently reviewed Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s bestselling book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, and found myself connecting his words to our EricsHouse clients. Although grief is very personal and everyone experiences it in a...
It’s estimated that the US spends a staggering $30 billion per year on substance abuse treatment problems. Traditional addiction recovery programs typically consist of 12-step programs that were initially conceived by Alcoholics Anonymous. However, this does not work...
EricsHouse founder, Marianne Gouveia, shares her story and healing guidance in “A Grief Perspective on Suicide: A Mother’s Insights.” Marianne writes about the complexities of suicide loss, exploring your emotions, realms of grief, and how to...
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