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Message

Any experience with grief counseling, especially in BR?
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:24 pm
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:24 pm
My wife lost her parents recently. It’s been about 7 months now and she’s still emotionally struggling. I know it takes time, but I think some help would go a long way.
I’d like to find a place and get the info and present it to her with the hopes she will go.
Anyone know what type of therapist or whomever is best for grief? Anyone have any recommendations in Baton Rouge?
Thanks in advance.
I’d like to find a place and get the info and present it to her with the hopes she will go.
Anyone know what type of therapist or whomever is best for grief? Anyone have any recommendations in Baton Rouge?
Thanks in advance.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:36 pm to 3BlockUber
No experience with them but I’d contact Turning Point Therapy
They offer family counseling, they will be able to let you know if they have someone who focuses on grief
They offer family counseling, they will be able to let you know if they have someone who focuses on grief
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:37 pm to 3BlockUber
I don’t have any recommendations but I hope she’s able to find peace. I dread the day I say goodbye to my parents.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:54 pm to 3BlockUber
This woman was an incredible grief counselor...
I think she may have retired except for speaking engagements, but if you call her she can suggest a good resource for your wife.
Sherry Van Atta Smelley, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, BACS
7920 Wrenwood - Suite A - Baton Rouge LA 70809 -
225 924-7055
I think she may have retired except for speaking engagements, but if you call her she can suggest a good resource for your wife.
Sherry Van Atta Smelley, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, BACS
7920 Wrenwood - Suite A - Baton Rouge LA 70809 -
225 924-7055
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:57 pm to 3BlockUber
Check with the local funeral homes. They can usually make recomemdations.
When my wife lost her Mom, she nosed over after a year. The funeral home was offering a seminar/forum that we attended. She bounced back after that.
She came away with the understanding that people grieve differently, and there should be no time limits on how long it takes to recover.
Best wishes!
When my wife lost her Mom, she nosed over after a year. The funeral home was offering a seminar/forum that we attended. She bounced back after that.
She came away with the understanding that people grieve differently, and there should be no time limits on how long it takes to recover.
Best wishes!
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 8:58 pm
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:57 pm to 3BlockUber
The best source of a recommendation for her would be her primary care doctor. She needs to be temporarily prescribed some antidepressants and receive some counciling. Her doctor can do both of those. You just have to convince her that she needs to tell the doctor what is going on. Nothing is going to work miracles…but that is the way to healing.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 8:58 pm to 3BlockUber
My wife lost her mother and has struggled emotionally. She went to a few therapists. She eventually asked her GP and got referral that way with someone she likes here in Baton Rouge. Its been important for her not to suppress emotions. In your situation, she is going to be the one to initiate seeking help. DO NOT do telehealth, betterhelp, etc. They are not in it for the long term.
Its been 5 years and it still can be a daily struggle, especially because our kids were newborn and 2 when she passed. Every milestone with kids is met with a range of feelings.
Its important for you to be involved with your wife's path. Be supportive, patient and understanding. I was suprised to see how much other factors impacted her feelings... physical health, excercise, sleep, work stress, home stress, kids stress etc. One thing we have setup is a few decoration days for the gravesite and other special events on important days (birthday, Valentines day, etc). This has allowed my wife to grieve in planned intervals where she knows she can be emotional which helps in between.
God bless your wife. I hope she finds peace soon.
Its been 5 years and it still can be a daily struggle, especially because our kids were newborn and 2 when she passed. Every milestone with kids is met with a range of feelings.
Its important for you to be involved with your wife's path. Be supportive, patient and understanding. I was suprised to see how much other factors impacted her feelings... physical health, excercise, sleep, work stress, home stress, kids stress etc. One thing we have setup is a few decoration days for the gravesite and other special events on important days (birthday, Valentines day, etc). This has allowed my wife to grieve in planned intervals where she knows she can be emotional which helps in between.
God bless your wife. I hope she finds peace soon.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:01 pm to 3BlockUber
quote:
It’s been about 7 months now and she’s still emotionally struggling.
Absolutely expected. 7 months is minimal when you think about the many years she had with them.
If you want to present her with options you can. But don’t expect her to go until she is ready to go. You can present this to her from a place of concern and love, but leave it at that. Bring it up once and don’t bring it up again. And never use it against her.
Just some words of advice from someone who has done it entirely wrong before.
I’ll add this about grief.
Grief never ends … but it changes. It’s a passage, and not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith … it is the price of love.
Allow her to grieve on her own timeline.
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 9:07 pm
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:03 pm to 3BlockUber
Resthaven is having a grief seminar on weds., Sept 27 with Dr Allen Wolfelt
Grief Seminar
I have not heard him speak but my friend who lost a child went to one of his seminars and says he’s wonderful
Grief Seminar
I have not heard him speak but my friend who lost a child went to one of his seminars and says he’s wonderful
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:17 pm to 3BlockUber
She can also use an app like TalkSpace. You can have video calls, audio only calls, the ability to text message providers through the app, etc. She can select from a number of therapists, change at any time, etc. Since I'm a dude, not having to go into a warm arse office to vent worked for me, it may not be her style. There are discount codes for the 50% off the first month on many popular podcasts.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:18 pm to 3BlockUber
No experience with that, but best of luck to you and your wife.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:26 pm to 3BlockUber
(no message)
This post was edited on 9/15/23 at 7:23 pm
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:31 pm to 3BlockUber
Find a good church. All of us think that this life is all we have and when it’s snuffed, that’s it. Hope in a life after this, is what brought me to a manageable point in my life.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 9:53 pm to 3BlockUber
Check with your healthcare provider online. Most of them will list approved therapists in your area. Find the specialty that you are looking for and make contact.
Also, link to searching for providers by area code:
Psychology Today
Also, link to searching for providers by area code:
Psychology Today
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 10:03 pm
Posted on 9/15/23 at 9:50 am to 3BlockUber
When I was a kid, we lost my older brother after he was hit by a car while riding his bike. We went to a bereavement support group (there was one for kids as well as one for adults that met at the same time) after that, and I think that group setting was really ideal for this. You're around other people that have also experienced recent loss, sharing stories etc. I feel like it was probably more productive than one-on-one counseling would have been. Any info I'd have about that specific group is now almost thirty years out of date, but maybe check out:
LINK
LINK
Posted on 4/15/24 at 3:12 pm to 3BlockUber
I think that 7 months is too short of a time frame to begin worrying about this being an issue.
Give her time.
Give her time.
Posted on 4/15/24 at 3:41 pm to thecoconuttiger
Unless it's a Christ centered program it won't be strong enough.
11 years ago my mother died. It was rough, no doubt.
My bigger struggle (and still is to this day) is that she was the last blood relative I had remaining on the planet. Both my parents were only childs and so was I. After years of my wife not able to get pregnant she had to have a hysterectomy. No kids!
After Mom passing I was a wreck. After a little time I tried a grief share program (non church). I walked out before the first session ended. Having to hear everyone go before me sharing their experience why they were there was a killer to me. It was pain squared!
Anyway, through church I got grounded again. What Jesus bore was so far greater than I could ever handle. Thank you, Jesus!
11 years ago my mother died. It was rough, no doubt.
My bigger struggle (and still is to this day) is that she was the last blood relative I had remaining on the planet. Both my parents were only childs and so was I. After years of my wife not able to get pregnant she had to have a hysterectomy. No kids!
After Mom passing I was a wreck. After a little time I tried a grief share program (non church). I walked out before the first session ended. Having to hear everyone go before me sharing their experience why they were there was a killer to me. It was pain squared!
Anyway, through church I got grounded again. What Jesus bore was so far greater than I could ever handle. Thank you, Jesus!

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