Discovering Hope and Healing After Hardship
Jessica O'Neil, MSW, RCSWI Jessica O'Neil, MSW, RCSWI

Discovering Hope and Healing After Hardship

As much as we would like to think, no one is immune to hardship, and we will all experience it in one form or another at some point in our lives. While these unexpected events can come with great difficulty, they can also bring about great strength, sometimes strength we didn’t even know we had.

As a mental health therapist, I’ve spent countless hours walking alongside others through their pain, offering support and guidance during their hardest moments. But this past year, I found myself on the other side of that equation—facing my own unexpected challenges and grappling with the complexities of healing. It’s one thing to talk about resilience and growth from a professional perspective, but it’s another to experience the rawness of it firsthand. Through this journey, I’ve gained insights not only into my own process but also into the universal nature of trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward.

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Lights and Loss: A Guide to Grieving Through the Holidays
Jessica O'Neil, MSW, RCSWI Jessica O'Neil, MSW, RCSWI

Lights and Loss: A Guide to Grieving Through the Holidays

Have you recently experienced loss and are now wondering how to get through the holiday season? Grief during the holidays can cast a long and challenging shadow. As a mental health counselor, I understand that the festive cheer around us may not reflect the internal struggles many individuals face. The pressure to be joyful can intensify feelings of loss and longing. In this guide, we explore a roadmap through the complex terrain of grief during the holidays, offering insights and strategies to navigate this emotional journey.

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