Rachel Saffer (she/her/hers) earned her Masters of Social Work from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Starting as an office volunteer at Austin Grief, Rachel quickly grew to be an integral part of our team.
Rachel has experience in providing counseling to adults, teenagers and children who have experienced significant trauma in both group and individual settings. Rachel utilizes various interventions in her practice including therapeutic yoga, EMDR, and traditional play therapy. She believes in providing every client with a welcoming and safe environment so that they can work towards healing on their own terms.
HELPING GRIEVING CHILDREN THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
Here are some tips for helping a grieving child make the most of the holiday season:
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Take care of yourself. Children take lead from the adults in their lives.
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Talk about what is most important about the holiday and your family traditions. Try not to assume that you know what is most meaningful to your child. As always, children surprise us! Make a plan together.
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Recognize that your child may need to be comforted as other children may make hurtful or thoughtless comments. Remind them that others often don’t understand what it’s like to have someone you love die.
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Children are comforted by routine. Keeping traditions will help maintain some of the magic of the holidays and help your child feel more secure. If traditions will be changed or skipped this year, discuss this with them and ask for ideas of what they might like to do different.
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Don’t be afraid to talk about the person who died. Remember him/her through memories and stories. What begins with tears often ends with laughter.
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Do something in memory of your loved one. Honor their memory together.
>> Check out our "25 Ways to Honor Your Loved One" for ideas
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Just like you, your children are extra sensitive during this season. Give children permission to feel however they feel and explain that you may not be at your best. Be sure to tell them they are not the cause of your upset feelings, sadness or anger.
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Be flexible. Place as few demands on yourself and the children as possible. What doesn’t work this year can be evaluated and changed as you plan for next year.
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