Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services (MICS) invites members of the community to join us for “Is Your Grief Ready for the Holidays?”, a free public panel discussion focused on navigating grief during the holiday season. The event will take place Wednesday, November 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Middletown Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, NJ 07748 [Directions]. Registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome.
Join Our Free
Panel Discussion
Join us on Nov. 11 at 6:30pm at the Middletown Public Library
The holiday season is often associated with celebration, traditions, family gatherings, and time spent with the people we love. For those experiencing grief and loss, this time of year can also bring complicated emotions to the surface. Traditions may feel different, gatherings can highlight someone’s absence, and the expectations surrounding the holidays may intensify feelings of sadness and loss.
This group is open to all and free to attend, whether or not you are a current client. Please reach out to us if you or someone you know might benefit from this compassionate, community-based support.
An Open Conversation About Grief During the Holidays
Grief is deeply personal, and there is no single way to experience it. It can follow the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another significant loss or life change. During the holidays, familiar traditions, memories, and expectations can make those feelings especially difficult to navigate.
The panel discussion will create a supportive environment for an open conversation about grief, loss, and sadness during the holiday season. Attendees will hear from professionals who work with individuals and families experiencing different forms of grief and learn more about ways to approach a season that may feel very different this year.
MICS has previously emphasized the value of compassionate support and simply giving people space to express the emotions that accompany grief. As MICS Executive Director Trish Magnotta has described it, sometimes the most meaningful support is simply being a “heart with ears.”
Meet the Panelists
The evening will bring together four professionals with experience supporting people through grief, trauma, major life changes, and bereavement:
- Trish Magnotta, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Trauma Professional, and Executive Director of Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services
- Alexandra Niel, Divorce Recovery Coach with Alexandra Niel Coaching
- Pamela Capaci, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Sheds Light
- Kevin Keelen, Bereavement Support Specialist and Spiritual Director with Stephy’s Place Center of Grief
Together, the panelists will offer perspectives on navigating a difficult season while making space for grief and the emotions that come with it.
You Don’t Have to Navigate the Holidays Alone
There is no requirement to feel joyful simply because the calendar says it is the holiday season. Giving yourself permission to acknowledge grief, adjust traditions, set boundaries, and seek support can be an important part of caring for yourself during this time.
How Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services Can Help
In addition to our new grief support group, we offer individual and group therapy services for those looking to explore the benefits of therapy. Our compassionate and skilled therapists are dedicated to helping clients process their emotions, develop coping strategies, and find renewed strength during challenging times. If you’re need support for grief or other mental health concerns, our team is here to provide personalized care and support on your journey to healing.
Join us for the “Is Your Grief Ready for the Holidays?” group, or reach out to learn more about how individual and group therapy can be a valuable part of your healing process. Together, we can find hope and resilience in the face of loss.