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Start for freeIntroduction to Lisa Williams and What's Your Grief
Lisa Williams is the co-founder of What's Your Grief, an online grief organization that serves over 3 million grievers each year. With over 15 years of experience as a grief therapist, Lisa has worked with sudden, traumatic, and disenfranchised losses, as well as ambiguous grief. What's Your Grief was founded in 2012 to provide concrete, accessible, and relatable grief support based on psychoeducation and creative coping.
Lisa holds master's degrees in clinical social work and philosophy. She co-authored the 2022 book "What's Your Grief: Lists to Help You Through Any Loss" and has been interviewed as a grief expert for major media outlets.
Lisa's Personal Journey with Grief
Lisa's experiences with grief began early in life:
- At age 4, her parents had a stillborn baby named Christopher
- At age 7, her best friend's mother died of breast cancer at 36
- At age 18, her father died suddenly after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome
These early losses shaped Lisa's understanding of grief, though she initially had no interest in working in the grief field. She pursued philosophy in college and graduate school, finding it helpful for processing her own grief journey.
After finishing her master's in philosophy, Lisa felt pulled to work more directly with people. She took jobs in social services, including:
- A program for at-risk youth
- The foster care system
- Homeless services
It was only after getting her master's in social work that Lisa found her way to grief work. She took a job supporting families who experienced traumatic, unexpected deaths in the hospital and providing grief support. This role made her realize grief support was where she was meant to be.
The Birth of What's Your Grief
Lisa met Eleanor, her What's Your Grief co-founder, while working with families who had experienced traumatic losses. They noticed a gap in grief resources, especially for those not interested in traditional counseling or support groups.
In 2012, they founded What's Your Grief to provide accessible grief information and support online. Their goals were to:
- Bridge academic grief research and practical, usable information
- Address different learning styles and preferences
- Fill gaps they saw in available grief resources
They started by writing articles and expanded into podcasts, creative expression outlets, and other formats. Lisa describes their approach as "throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks" to meet diverse griever needs.
The Importance of Normalizing Grief Dreams
Lisa emphasizes the value of normalizing grief dreams and creating spaces for people to discuss them. She notes that about 70% of people experience dreams of deceased loved ones, yet there's little public discussion about them.
She cautions against relying solely on internet searches for dream interpretation, as this can lead to misinformation and unnecessary distress. Instead, she recommends looking at grief dreams through the lens of processing emotions and working through grief.
Lisa appreciates efforts to bring conversations about grief dreams into the mainstream, as it helps validate people's experiences and provides hope. She notes that even distressing dreams can evolve over time as people process their grief.
Lisa's Personal Experiences with Grief Dreams
Lisa shares some of her own grief dream experiences:
- Dreams of her father where she realizes she's dreaming and tries to appreciate the moment before waking
- Dreams about her sister's partner who died of an overdose, often involving scenarios of relapse or recovery
- Recent vivid dreams about her grandmother after starting to learn Greek on Duolingo
She finds these dreams meaningful, even if they don't always feel spiritually significant. The dreams often allow her to process emotions or reconnect with lost loved ones in new ways.
Creative Coping Strategies for Grief
Lisa emphasizes the importance of creative coping strategies beyond traditional talk therapy. Some approaches she discusses include:
- Photography: Using camera work to revisit meaningful places or capture memories
- The "Dear Photograph" project: Lining up old photos in their original locations
- Writing: Providing structured prompts to avoid rumination
- Cooking: Sharing recipes associated with lost loved ones
- Music and other artistic expressions
She stresses that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to grief coping. What's Your Grief aims to showcase diverse strategies to help people find what works for them.
The What's Your Grief Book and Resources
Lisa discusses their 2022 book "What's Your Grief: Lists to Help You Through Any Loss." The book's format was inspired by feedback on their website, with bite-sized, accessible information that readers can engage with based on their needs and attention span.
Other What's Your Grief resources include:
- Website: whatsyourgrief.com
- Podcast
- Social media presence (especially active on Instagram and Pinterest)
- Self-paced online courses
- Free webinars
- Member community for additional support
The Power of Sharing Grief Experiences
Lisa reflects on the importance of sharing grief experiences and normalizing conversations about loss. She appreciates how the grief landscape has changed since What's Your Grief began, with more openness to discussing death, dying, and bereavement.
She notes how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted cultural attitudes toward grief, creating more understanding and willingness to talk about loss. This change has opened doors for exploring diverse cultural perspectives on grief and death.
Looking to the Future of Grief Support
As the conversation around grief continues to evolve, Lisa sees opportunities for:
- Increased recognition of diverse grief styles and coping mechanisms
- More creative and accessible forms of grief support
- Greater integration of cultural and spiritual perspectives on loss
- Continued efforts to destigmatize grief and create supportive environments
By sharing her own experiences and providing resources through What's Your Grief, Lisa hopes to contribute to a more compassionate and understanding approach to grief in society.
Conclusion
Lisa Williams' journey from personal loss to grief expert illustrates the power of turning pain into purpose. Through What's Your Grief, she has created a platform that validates diverse grief experiences and provides accessible support to millions.
By normalizing conversations about grief dreams, creative coping strategies, and the ongoing nature of loss, Lisa and her organization are helping to reshape cultural attitudes toward bereavement. As grief support continues to evolve, the work of pioneers like Lisa paves the way for more compassionate, inclusive approaches to helping people navigate loss.
Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2oDCIOmOVg
