Dr. Brianna Garrison, associate professor and doctoral program director in Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Social Work, recently joined Connecticut Public Radio’s “Where We Live” to discuss the realities of grief following the death of a child and the importance of finding hope and meaning after loss.
Hosted by Catherine Shen, the program featured two parents who shared their personal experiences with child loss, while Garrison provided clinical insight into grief, trauma, and healing.
A licensed clinical social worker and certified grief educator, Garrison explained that grief is often misunderstood.
“There is a lot of misinformation about grief,” she said. “People often think there is closure—that eventually you’ll be done grieving. Especially after a traumatic loss, that’s not how grief works.”
Throughout the discussion, Garrison emphasized that grief is not linear and that feelings of sadness can return long after a loss through anniversaries, birthdays, and other life milestones. She also noted that the death of a child often brings additional challenges, including trauma, guilt, unanswered questions, and the loss of future milestones parents had envisioned.
Garrison also discussed the importance of finding meaning after loss, noting that some families channel their grief into advocacy or service while others find purpose in quieter, more personal ways.
“I think part of the healing journey is finding a way to make meaning of your experience and your loss,” Garrison said. “Whatever is natural for you is good enough.”
Listen to the full “Where We Live” conversation on Connecticut Public.
