Friends of California Grief Center,

This Sunday marks a deeply significant milestone in my professional and personal journey: the 25th Grief and Psychodrama Support Workshop—“Catharsis Theater”—since I began this work two years ago. It is a bittersweet moment, unfolding against the backdrop of a city in turmoil. Los Angeles smolders under the weight of one of the worst natural disasters in California’s history, rivaled perhaps only by the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

When Grief Finally Hits: Why Support Matters Months After Loss

Grief doesn’t always arrive immediately. For many, the true weight of loss—whether it's the death of a loved one, a breakup, losing a home, or grappling with political or environmental upheaval—often doesn’t "hit" until three to six months later. The shock of the initial event can leave people feeling numb or preoccupied, navigating logistics, or just trying to get through each day. But as the months pass and life returns to "normal" for those around them, the emotional reality often catches up, leaving individuals feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

This delayed reaction is not a sign of weakness but a natural part of the grieving process. It’s during this window that seeking support becomes crucial. Whether through close family and friends or by joining a group of compassionate strangers, connecting with others can be transformative. Safe, supportive communities provide validation, understanding, and the opportunity to process feelings that may feel too heavy to carry alone.

Grief groups and shared spaces offer something unique: the chance to feel witnessed and less alone. The collective wisdom and kindness of others—who are also navigating their own losses—can be a lifeline, fostering resilience and hope during an otherwise isolating time. If the waves of grief have started to rise for you months after a loss, now might be the perfect time to reach out and connect. You don’t have to do it alone.

Join Us This Sunday for Our 25th "Catharsis Theater" Grief Event

This Sunday, January 19, from 1-4 PM in Culver City, we invite you to our 25th "Catharsis Theater" grief and psychodrama event—a tradition that has become a cornerstone of healing for our community over the past two years. These workshops have proven to be safe, effective, and deeply impactful. One of the most profound insights we’ve discovered is that the more people in the room, the better psychodrama works. The collective energy amplifies the healing experience, making every session uniquely powerful.

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Psychodrama is unlike traditional talk therapies because it fully engages the mind, body, and emotions. Here’s why it resonates so deeply:

1. Embodied Experience

   • Action Over Words: Participants enact their experiences, bridging the gap between intellectual understanding and emotional integration.

   • Somatic Connection: Engaging the body helps access emotions stored somatically, making it especially effective for trauma healing.

2. Catharsis and Emotional Release
   Psychodrama offers a safe space to express suppressed emotions like grief, anger, and love. This release often leads to profound clarity and healing.

3. Role Reversal and Perspective-Taking
   By stepping into the shoes of others or revisiting younger selves, participants develop empathy, resolve conflicts, and gain new insights into relationships.

4. Rewriting the Narrative
   Reenact past events to explore alternative outcomes and "rewrite" your story. This fosters empowerment and a sense of hope.

5. Connection and Witnessing
   The group dynamic creates a supportive environment where participants feel seen, validated, and less isolated in their grief.

6. Safe Exploration of Trauma
   Psychodrama allows for symbolic and nonverbal processing of trauma, gently reframing difficult memories in a safe, supportive setting.

7. Accessing the Unconscious
   Spontaneity and role play help uncover subconscious thoughts and feelings that traditional conversation may miss.

8. Group Dynamics and Sociometry
   Shared healing unfolds as participants witness and support one another, often finding their own breakthroughs mirrored in others’ journeys.

9. Experimentation and Empowerment
   The workshop offers a space to safely explore new roles, confront fears, and practice assertiveness, building confidence for real-life application.

10. Whole-Person Approach
    By addressing psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects, psychodrama fosters lasting transformation.

As J.L. Moreno, the pioneer of psychodrama, believed, this modality taps into our innate creativity and spontaneity—tools essential for growth and healing.

If you or someone you know has experienced loss in 2024-2025 or carries grief from the past, we invite you to join us this Sunday. Come experience the profound healing power of connection, creativity, and transformation. Please share this with anyone who could benefit from this unique and supportive space. We look forward to seeing you!

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Upcoming Opportunities for Connection

The California Grief Center (www.caligrief.com) continues to offer a range of support services and healing spaces:

• Individual grief counseling with Brian Stefan, LCSW

• Mindfulness-Based Grief Relief (MBGR) weekly groups

• Monthly H.O.P.E. Group for Mindfulness and Deep Suffering (next session: Saturday, January 25th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PT) Register Here 

  • Sessions are recorded and shared to help educate about grief and raise public health awareness.

    • 1/25 — Healing the Suicidal Soul: Mindfulness and Deep Suffering Relief

• Regular workshops and retreats focused on specific aspects of grief and healing

To connect with Brian Stefan or learn more about any of these offerings, please visit www.caligrief.com or reach out through the contact form on the website.

With care and hope,

Brian

P.S. To sign up for Brian’s weekly “Mindful Grief” newsletter, click here.