Loss story processing
Every pregnancy ends in birth.
No matter how far along you were; which week or trimester you lost your pregnancy; whether you experienced loss unexpectedly at home, with medical assistance like medication, or via surgery—the end of any pregnancy is a significant experience for mind, body, and spirit.Much like full-term live birth, miscarriage and stillbirth introduce us to our greatest strengths and deepest fears. They can also leave their mark behind, in the form of traumatic memories or ongoing anxiety.You don’t have to carry this alone.
If you’re experiencing ongoing stress, disassociation, or anxiety when you think about your loss or when encountering reminders of what happened, it may be supportive to process your birth story in a safe and compassionate setting.
It’s also an evidence-based practice: processing a miscarriage or stillbirth with another person has been shown to decrease experiences of trauma, self-blame, depression, and stress after loss.
About Birth Story Medicine for loss
I'm trained in Birth Story Medicine as well as in Companioning for Perinatal Loss. I’ve combined these two modalities to support women who want to process and integrate a loss story for ongoing healing. This uses techniques including internal family systems, archetypes, solutions-focused counseling, and somatic practice.
Fundamental to the practice of Birth Story Medicine is the belief that stories are living, evolving entities. Events don’t have meaning on their own—they take on the meaning we give to them. As a result, the meaning of an experience can change as the storyteller and story evolve, providing the opportunity for healing as we grow.
Each of us contain more than a single storytelling voice when it comes to our story of loss. Instead, different parts within us each have their own story to tell about what happened, and each seek their own healing and resolution.
My role is to hold compassionate space for you and your story, deeply listen to what happened and your experience, and speak to the stories you're carrying about this loss.
How do I know if I can benefit from this?
Many of us carry pregnancy loss stories that feel unfinished or unspoken. Pregnancy loss is not just a medical experience—it’s a major emotional and physical life experience. You may be holding onto images, memories, or feelings that you haven’t been able to give their place.
Here are some signs your story may be asking for healing:
You avoid talking about your loss, even when you want to.
Certain moments or images from the experience replay in your mind regularly.
The sight of blood or your period brings up a strong, visceral reaction that takes you back to your loss.
News stories or social media posts about pregnancy loss have a strong impact on your emotions, or make you feel anxious.
You leave out key details or soften the truth when telling your story.
Or, you feel the urge to tell the story often—sometimes unexpectedly, and in more detail than you meant to.
These are all gentle signals from yourself that the story is still seeking a resolution. Loss story processing can help.
Memory is not static. Every time we access a memory in a supportive environment, we have the opportunity to infuse that memory with safety and empathy.
How and when are sessions held?
Sessions are usually 60-90 minutes, and happen virtually over Zoom.
Because this is a vulnerable and important time for you, please be sure that you are alone and in a private, comfortable environment for our conversation.
Sessions are priced at $120. However, when it comes to unresolved trauma, your healing is paramount. I do not want cost to be an obstacle to those seeking support. A sliding scale is available upon request.