I’m sorry for your loss…

If you’ve found your way here it’s likely you’re seeking support for yourself or someone close to you who has either;

Experienced the traumatic loss of an adult child due to mental health, suicide or substance related challenges.

or

Someone who is enduring life with an adult living child with mental health and/or substance challenges.

I’m so very sorry.

These life experiences are so difficult, and with support and an understanding of how the trauma and chaos affects us we can gain coping skills.

What is Traumatic Grief?

To lose a child to any cause of death is traumatic, even after a long illness. It is not the natural order of things for a parent to outlive their child. Our mind struggles to believe that our precious child has died.

When the circumstances of our child’s death is somehow violent or under random circumstance, if it’s suicide, or a substance related accident - it then becomes even more complicated for our thinking minds to traverse.

It’s very common for parents who’ve lost their child to ask themselves over and over – “how did this happen”, “how could I have missed ______”, “ I could’ve/should’ve/would’ve done __________”…as we try and understand the WHY?

THIS is traumatic bereavement and the challenging grieving process that follows is beyond words like ‘difficult’.

Terri Demontrond

Traumatic Grief Specialist

When my 35 year old only daughter Misty Dawn died by suicide on 1st of August 2012, I was beyond devastated. I was grasping for lifelines and at the same time I didn’t care if my life continued. I’d get my feet on the ground only to fall time and time again into the deep bottomless pit of grief.

About 1 year after she died I found Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, founder of the MISS Foundation. We worked together intently. She validated my experience, informed me of what was happening to me due to my traumatic loss, and was a compassionate witness.

Within 6 months I began training and became certified in her Compassionate Bereavement Care (CBC) model for grief support. My growth I knew was in extending a hand and lifting up others coming behind me in the unthinkable and incredible challenge of living without their beloved child.

Currently I Mentor and support other families enduring child loss and facilitate virtual Support Groups. I also train others to Mentor, coordinate Group Retreats, and collect resources to share.

My Offerings

ONE ON ONE SUPPORT

GROUP SUPPORT

WALK AND TALK

  • “Finding Terri one month after the death of my child was a literal lifeline for me.  In the depth of shock and horror, Terri’s voice on the other end of the phone was a beacon of light and her presence was an anchor. Her words were so gentle and kind.  She was someone who knew how I felt and had once been where I was.  She offers deep compassion, loving presence, wisdom and strength with humility and grace. Terri has walked the path of grief and heartache and has committed her life to being of service to the bereaved, especially bereaved parents.  I trust her completely to hold and accompany the broken hearted with her heart of gold.”

    -Monique Miyake
    Bereaved parent, Hospice Nurse and Chaplain

  • “To work with Terri is to work with a trusted and wise friend. She is calm and present, circumspect and responsive, and she is a sage for all time.  Her capacity to hold space for others with unparalleled tenderness is supernatural.  I trust her without reservation and recommend time with her as salve for shattered open hearts.”

    -Dr. Joanne Cacciatore…

  • “It has been a privilege knowing and working with Terri; she is an incredibly gentle, generous, and compassionate soul. Her contributions to the Selah Carefarm have been extensive. She was instrumental in developing and leading the Selah Carefarm mentor program connecting newly bereaved parents and family members to their grieving peers; she is an incredible mentor to several bereaved mothers; she is an empathetic leader in grief support group counseling sessions; she led groups of bereaved parents through Dr. Joann Cacciatore’s Bearing the Unbearable Wisdom Academy; and the list goes on.”

    -Dr. Cheryl Pence, LPC, NCC
    Grief Counselor, Selah Carefarm

  • “Terri, while dealing with the worst pain imaginable herself, has found room in her big heart to help others navigate these wild waters. With her, you feel heard, seen, and held. She is a compassionate and beautiful soul.”

    -Sheila White

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