“This is the one book all parents and clinicians need to have in their personal library. Adults now have a tool to help children navigate the difficult emotions of abandonment, betrayal, rage, and anger that often bubble up after the suicide of a loved one, but are often suppressed and left unspoken.” — Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S, founder and president emeritus, New York Association of Play Therapy, past director of the Association for Play Therapy
“This book is important and much needed since the death of a parent by suicide is one of the most complicated and devastating forms of childhood grief. I found the book to be brilliant and written with the foundation of great sensitivity and compassion. I also loved the eloquent use of metaphors throughout. Highly recommended!” — David A. Crenshaw, Ph.D., ABPP, Author, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist
“Jillian and Jessica have done a lovely job of identifying key therapeutic concerns at the time of initial coping with a parent’s death by suicide. I also appreciate the subsequent reactions to the loss such as lack of privacy , embarrassment. The image of grief being waves that wash over you is utilized often in grief work with children so fantastic. I love this book!” –Theresa Fraser, CYC-P, CPT-S, NSCCT, MA, RP, Trauma and Loss Clinical
Specialist
“My Grief is Like the Ocean tackles the seldom discussed, emotionally wrenching and very difficult concept of suicide in a way that children can understand…delicately using the metaphor of the ocean to describe how its shifting waves mirror the boy’s feelings. The explanations are concise. The opportunity for a child to acknowledge their feelings is boundless.”
— Laurie Zelinger, Ph.D., ABPP, RPT-S, board-certified psychologist, author of Please Explain Anxiety to Me
