On this episode of Allison Answers, Kathryn Monaco-Douglas shares her inspiring story of turning tragedy into triumph by starting her own support group “Widowed Not Alone” for widows and widowers. Kathryn lost her husband when he was only 44 years old, and was told she had to wait 3 months before joining a support group. She also struggled to find a therapist she connected with and felt alone in her grief and pain.

Kathryn felt that widows and widowers were missing adequate support in those early days of grief, and she was determined to change that. Kathryn became a grief coach and built support groups for people grieving the loss of their spouse. As Kathryn explains, grief is a complex and multi-layered process, and it's not something that can be overcome overnight. It takes time, patience, and the right kind of support to heal.

Oftentimes, grief can grip us in a way that feels paralyzing and we get stuck in a fog that feels impossible to clear. Going about regular habits may not feel right, but Kathryn and Alison are here to tell you that you are strong and you have to keep going, but you don’t have to do it alone. It's okay to ask for help, and there are many resources available for those who are grieving. Whether it's joining a support group, seeing a therapist, or talking to friends and family, there are many ways to get the help and support you need.

In this episode, Kathryn explains how her support group for widows is different from others, how she felt she lost her identity when her husband died, how she navigated dating and re-marrying, the trauma and PTSD that can come with losing a spouse, and how her support group “Widowed Not Alone” is changing lives by bringing hope and healing.

Key highlights:

• The loss of Kathryn’s husband
• How Kathryn helps other widows navigate loss and grief
• Why Widowed Not Alone is different from other grief programs
• The identity loss that can happen after losing a partner
• PTSD after loss
• What to look for in a therapist
• If you are dealing with grief, don’t hold it in - reach out for help
• How to get involved with Kathryn’s programs

Connect with Kathryn Monaco-Douglas:

Website: widowednotalone.com

Instagram: @widowednotalone

Public Facebook Page: St. Matthew’s Young Widow and Widowers Group

Connect with Alison:

Instagram: @alisonanswers | @lagercounseling

Website: LagerCounseling.com

YouTube: Alison Answers

Facebook: Alison Lager Lcsw Casac

Purchase Alison’s book: “The Wake Up Call”

Alison Answers Facebook Group: Join HERE

Women of Excellence FB group: Join HERE