Maureen Pollard & Associates

10/12/2025

We’re pleased to announce that Maureen Pollard & Associates is partnering with Community Care Northumberland Hospice Services and our next grief support group for survivors of su***de loss will begin on October 22 at Ed’s House.

There is no charge to attend this 6 week closed group, but you must register for an intake call to help ensure the group is right for you at this time.

Register by email to maureenpollardmsw@gmail.com

10/07/2025

This week's substack offers a little preview of Too Soon To Say Goodbye, a tune from Maureen's upcoming EP Sad Songs for a Merry Season.

What do you do when your heart is breaking? Have you tried making art?

Making art with a breaking heart.

09/16/2025

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin

The power of being witnessed.

09/11/2025

If you're looking for a few resources about sketching as part of your healing process, and you're interested in stick figures, this week's post includes a review of two books on this topic. Art can heal the heart!

Book Reviews and Recommendations

09/04/2025

September is Su***de Prevention Month.

Maureen captured the first draft of the song I Hope You Stay in November of 2019 by making voice recordings of the lyrics and melody flowing through her as she drove across southwestern Ontario from Cobourg to Kingsville after attending an event for International Survivor of Su***de Loss Day.

This song is everything she says when speaking to people who are thinking about su***de. It is everything she wants others to say if they’re with someone in such deep pain they can’t imagine why they should stay. It is all of that put to music in this acoustic version, with thanks to Maureen’s friend Matt Kowalyk.

There has been a lot of water under the bridge since the birth of this song. Still, it remains an encouraging missive to the listener, who might be feeling alone in their deep pain.

“If it’s hard right now, I Hope You Stay.”
~ Maureen

Written for World Su***de Prevention Day 2020, the song I Hope You Stay offers words of encouragement to those who are struggling.This version of I Hope You ...

09/03/2025

In August, Maureen set herself 3 creative challenges. Why? As an alternative to doom-scrolling, to build new creative skills, and to deepen her self-compassion practice. (One of the challenges was daily self-portraits - a task that required deep work on self acceptance in a few different ways.

Are you ready for a challenge? Craving a little personal growth? Read about her experiments here, and let it inspire you to build your own adventure.

Goal-setting: hits and misses

08/27/2025

Fall is right around the corner, and we're planning gatherings for grief support and community education.

You'll find a detailed listing in this week's post on Substack:

Su***de Prevention, Death Education, and Grief Support

08/21/2025

As a grief and trauma specialist, Maureen finds herself sharing the same information time and again as the people she works with learn to live with their pain in the aftermath of tragedy. There are plenty of books out there that offer explanations and guidance, but many people find them hard to read when they're struggling with raw emotions.

The Truth About Trauma and Grief is designed to be a primer - just the basics, gently and thoroughly explained in plain language. Short blocks of text make it easy to take in, and beautiful images offer a rest from reading while still telling a story.

Cover Image: "Liminal" by Ron Hawkins, acrylic + collage
Interior Images: "The Gift" by Megan Collier-Bansil, pencil

If you, or someone you know, could use a guide to help them navigate the impact of trauma and grief, it's available now. If you'd like a signed copy, send me a private message to arrange delivery.

When tragedy strikes, it sends a shockwave through your life. In the aftermath of sudden, unexpected loss and other traumatic events that create a real or perceived threat, it can be hard to find your balance. This book provides simple, practical explanations of what you may experience, and inclu...

07/16/2025

Now available in paperback and on Kindle:

A companion book to Heart Work: The Transformative Power of Story and Song: A Memoir and Guide, this volume includes 28 invitations for therapeutic writing and songwriting. If you’re not into reading memoir but you want ideas about how to write your story, this book is just what you need!

A resource for anyone interested in experimenting with the practice of therapeutic writing and songwriting, this book includes twenty-eight invitations to write to heal. With brief explanations and simple instructions, this book offers plenty of opportunity to explore your personal story through ...

06/03/2025

Today’s Substack post is about the value of being seen and heard when we’re grappling with pain and fear. Whether we make art or talk it out, sharing our stories helps us heal.

Can I get a witness?

05/27/2025

This week's substack post asks: Does art needs a therapist to be therapeutic?

Does Art Need a Therapist?

05/21/2025

We’re moving!

Maureen Pollard & Associates will have a bright, comfortable space for grief and trauma therapy in our new location at 249 Division Street as of June 17, 2025.

We look forward to welcoming you there!