Whether your loved one died recently or more than a year ago, life may seem surreal or flat to you, and you might be feeling separate and apart from others. You may be asking questions like these:Why do I feel so confused? Is this normal?How do I connect with someone who understands? Find meaning?I have little energy. How long does grief last?How can I deal with my anger, guilt, or regret?How do I help my child or teen who is grieving?While grief is a normal, healing emotion, experiencing it can be hard.

As a child or teen attempts to cope with the death of a loved one, they can become overwhelmed by complex and confusing feelings. They may have many questions. These feelings and worries may be difficult for a child or teen to identify and understand. While grief is a normal, healing emotion, the experience of it is often difficult and painful. Our licensed therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches to support grief and bereavement in children and teens.

The loss of a child is incredibly devastating to any parent and family. Each person in the family is likely to experience the loss uniquely, which can feel lonely or confusing at times. In addition to the grief of the parents, any surviving siblings must cope with their own grief, as well as the emotions of their loved ones. Routines often change, and so does life as you once knew it. Finding support may feel impossible at times.Although these changes can be true after any loss, the death of a child seems to reverberate through a family like no other.

Good Grief Group and Bereavement Counseling Alone and Surviving, by R. LindsayGrieving: How to Go on Living When Someone You Love Dies, by T. RandoLiving through Personal Crisis, by A.K. StearnsLiving When a Loved One Has Died, by E.A. GrollmanLoss and Anticipatory Grief, by T. RandoSurvival Handbook for Widows, by R.J. LoewinshohnSurviving the Loss of a Loved One, by J.W. Worden and A. UlineSwallowed by a Snake: The Gift of the Masculine Side of Healing, by T.R. GoldenWidower: When Men Are Left Alone, by S. Campbell and P.

Now that you are receiving treatment—surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy—you may have questions like these.How do I deal with this fatigue, pain, skin reaction?What long-term effects might I have from treatment?How do I talk to family and friends who are emailing me all sorts of “cures” and articles?How do I manage anxiety before my CT or PET scan?How do I keep life as normal as possible?What questions should I be asking my doctors?We can help your time in treatment be less stressful, for free.

When you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, it may feel hard to know where to start. You might be asking questions like these:How did I get cancer?How do I find the right doctor? The right treatment?How do I ask for second opinions?How do I manage these emotions?What does this mean for my job? How will I pay for everything?How do I tell my family? My boss? My friends?Have questions?

Do you work with individuals affected by cancer or with an organization or business that is looking for a speaker? Or are you interested in working with the Life with Cancer community? If so, here are ways to connect.Life with Cancer, the integrative therapies and wellness program of the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, has become Northern Virginia’s premier cancer education, nutrition, and psychosocial support organization.

At Life with Cancer, our free programs and services are designed for individuals and families—and include counseling, groups, classes, integrative approaches, and information on resources. Patients and families can choose from nearly 50 programs each month at our welcoming Family Center in Fairfax or at one of our other five locations. Learn more about us.Please encourage anyone you know who might benefit from our support to contact us.No formal referrals are needed except for psychiatry. For a psychiatric referral, or for more information, please contact us. Contact Us

Our oncology nurse navigators and oncology therapists provide guidance on topics like these:CaregivingCouplesChemobrain Facts and StrategiesDepression and Anxiety ManagementFear of RecurrenceFitnessGrief and BereavementInsomniaLate EffectsMind/Body PracticesNeuropathyResilience and SurvivorshipSexual HealthSpecific CancersStress ReductionSurvivorshipSurvivorship Care PlansUnderstanding Clinical TrialsUnderstanding Lab ValuesThe topics listed above are provided as suggestions for lectures and talks.

Interested in volunteering as a speaker in Expressive Arts, Financial, Fitness, Legal, or Mind/Body/Wellness? We’d look forward to hearing from you! Please complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch:BE A SPEAKERName* First Last Company/OrganizationEmail* Phone*Areas of Interest* Expressive Arts Financial Fitness Legal Mind/Body/Wellness OtherMessage* Δ