Edward Luersman - Infertility, Loss & Singles Therapist in OH

08/04/2025

In addition to the minister training previously mentioned, I will also be partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to offer an evening retreat for individuals and couples in the NE Ohio area navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, or child loss. The event is on Friday September 12 from 7-9pm at the Center for Pastoral Leadership and will be gathering offering reflections, validation, and community. We would be honored if you or any affected individuals or couples you know would join us!

https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/events/2025/09/12/an-evening-of-healing-infertility-pregnancy-loss-child-loss

07/31/2025

I am looking forward to partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to offer a ministry training twice over two dates, September 12 and 13. Focused toward educating bereavement ministers, clergy, pastoral care leaders, and lay ministers, this training will help equip Catholic leaders to accompany families navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, or child loss with sensitivity and compassion. We would love to have any interested people join us!

https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/events/2025/09/12/pastoral-care-continuing-education-with-edward-luersman-ma-lpcc

06/12/2025

06/10/2025

I have an evening small group starting up July 3 on Thursdays from 7-8pm Eastern time. Share with any parents who have lost a child at any age who might be interested!

New evening session times are available for the School of Grief virtual small group, starting July 3rd!

The School of Grief is our summer virtual small group offering. Starting July 3rd, sessions will meet from 6:00-7:00 pm CST for eight weeks. The group will be hosted by father of loss and mental health professional, Edward Luersman. You can hear more of Edwards story by listening to our latest podcast episode- "Dad's Grieve Too".

The School of Grief is designed to help grieving parents navigate the waves of grief. Every week parents meet in a safe and supportive group of their peers, and are given practical tools to help them approach their grief with more kindness, patience, and peace.

Learn more and register here - https://www.redbird.love/school-grief

06/04/2025

I’m still soaking in this wonderful conversation that I had with Dr. Stroud on his podcast! I can’t say it enough: even though there are so many kinds of loss and our experiences of it are unique, all grief is valid. The grief of infertility is valid. The grief of pregnancy loss is valid. The grief of infant loss is valid. The grief of child loss or the loss of any loved one is valid. The grief of being single when hoping to be married and have kids is valid. Let’s not minimize anyone’s suffering or engage in any unhelpful comparisons!

06/02/2025

Happy for the opportunity to join Elizabeth and Brian on this podcast episode with Red Bird Ministries! I hope that men who have lost a child at any age will benefit from tuning in!

Link to the full episode:
https://www.redbird.love/podcasts/nlck2hc86e5p8c5glfubpf9qxrtati

05/27/2025

This is the last week you can sign up for The School of Grief virtual support group- don't miss out on this beautiful opportunity for connection and healing.

The School of Grief is an 8-week virtual support group designed to connect you with other parents of loss as you learn how to embrace the highs and lows of grief, and how to take practical steps toward healing.

The group will be led by father of loss and mental health professional, .luersman

Sessions take place every Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 am CST starting June 3rd. Learn more and register below:

https://www.redbird.love/school-grief

05/22/2025

My most recent blog post on cultivating good mental health while on the path of infertility!

"Infertility can be mentally devastating," writes Edward on the blog today, "bringing with it the heartache of grief that includes the 'waves' of emotions such as numbness, sadness, anger, or guilt.

Infertility can also prompt the restlessness and uncertainty of anxiety, the hopelessness and loss of interest of depression, irritability, and in some cases, the unsettling symptoms of trauma.

Infertility is emotionally and mentally taxing, sometimes testing our coping abilities to their limits and causing us to feel overwhelmed by the weight of such a difficult burden.

Add into the mix the stigmas and limited societal and social understanding regarding infertility and mental health, and you also have the mental anguish of social isolation.

It is crucial, therefore, that we openly discuss how we can foster good mental health in light of the mental challenges of infertility and loss."

Read more on the blog for : https://springsinthedesert.org/cultivating-good-mental-health-on-the-path-of-infertility

The grief of infertility/loss is real, and if the pain ever feels like it's "too much," please connect with a therapist or counselor. We have some friends of the ministry listed on the Links page of our website if you need a place to start. 💛

05/20/2025

The start of the online support group that I’m facilitating for parents who have lost a child is coming up!

Our next virtual support opportunity is starting soon!

We invite you to join us for The School of Grief- an 8-week virtual support group designed to connect you with other parents of loss as you learn how to embrace the highs and lows of grief, and how to take practical steps toward healing.

The group will be led by father of loss and mental health professional, Edward Luersman.

Sessions take place every Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 am CST starting June 3rd. Learn more and register at the link here: https://www.redbird.love/school-grief

05/14/2025

I am happy to share with you all the wonderful conversation that I had with Dr. Christopher Stroud, an OBGYN and owner of the Fertility and Midwifery Care Center in Fort Wayne, IN, on his podcast! Dr. Stroud is down-to-earth and personable man, and it was a pleasure to talk with him about the grief of infertility and pregnancy loss. I have heard many great things about his team and his fertility, gynecological, pregnancy, and birth-related services, and it has been a pleasure to personally connect with him and his team and to support them and their important work! I look forward to continuing our professional partnership!

For an audio version of the podcast, as well as additional show notes, visit this link to his website: https://fertilityandmidwifery.com/understanding-grief/

Dr. Chris Stroud talks with clinical counselor Edward Luersman about the complexities of grief, especially when it comes from infertility and pregnancy loss....

05/07/2025

Great practical ideas for churches!

Many pastors are unaware of the dread that women who are struggling with infertility/loss associate with attending Mass on Mother’s Day—but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are three simple ways that parishes can honor mothers while also recognizing the unique gifts and spiritual fruitfulness of those women and couples burdened by infertility and loss:

🌸 BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT: A simple bulletin announcement acknowledging the difficulty of Mother’s Day goes a long way toward caring for those who are struggling with the cross of infertility. Find a sample on our website!

🌸 PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL: It would mean so much to include not only mothers in the intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful, but also those who are longing to become mothers, for those who have lost a child at any age, for spiritual mothers, for those who have lost their mothers, and for all marriages in the parish – with or without children.

🌸 FINAL BLESSING: This blessing is often an acute source of pain and anxiety for women struggling with infertility or loss. Consider asking all women (or the entire congregation) to stand, acknowledging mothers first, and then those who live out their spiritual motherhood each day. This way, women don’t have to sit heartbroken in the pew, and mothers who have lost their child(ren) before birth don’t have to agonize over whether to stand.

Read more on our website: https://springsinthedesert.org/digital-infertility-toolkit/ It is our honor to walk with you!

05/06/2025

My most recent blog post, about the often-overlooked grief of being single (especially over long periods of time). Many people who thought that they would be married but aren't grieve the absence of a spouse and children, and it can be isolating and devastating. But solid social and spiritual support can help. Read more on my website via the link!

The Hidden Grief of Being Single Not by Choice 4/29/25by Edward Luersman, MA, LPCC Are you currently single but thought that you would be married and have kids by now? Have you been single for an extended period of time and find yourself getting older without a relationship— let alone marriage— ...