Dr. Jessica Thomas

20/11/2025

I invite you to explore this month’s updates and reflections.

Understanding grief and death as an integral part of the human experience.

16/11/2025

Pictured here is a collective view of W&W participants' images paired with excerpts from their corresponding reflective journals (with their permission). It is a great honor to hold space for such depth and meaningful connections. I am offering a Within & Without therapeutic mindful photography intro training in January 2026. Please visit the training page for details and complete an application. You can also email me with any questions at mindfulphotogrief@gmail.com. Do not let finances be a barrier; please inquire about discounts for those in need.
https://drjessicathomas.com/therapeutic-mindful-photography-training/

11/11/2025

Check out the full podcast episode Part-2 Matrescence & Grief! Dr. Erin McCloskey and I delve deeper into the intricate relationship between motherhood, grief, and identity. We explore how experiences of loss shape personal journeys and professional and academic pursuits, particularly in the context of matrescence. The discussion highlights the importance of advocating for mental health support, the complexities of navigating grief while becoming a mother, and the intergenerational echoes of loss that influence these experiences. Through personal stories and insights, we emphasize the need for open conversations about grief and the challenges of motherhood.

Takeaways:
-Motherhood is often discussed in terms of joy, but it also involves significant transitions and identity shifts.It profoundly impacts one's understanding of self and relationships.
-Advocating for mental health support is crucial during the journey of motherhood.
-Intergenerational stories of loss can influence how we process or reprocess grief during matrescence.
-Vulnerability can lead to deeper connections and understanding in relationships.
-Cultural expectations can complicate the experience
-Open conversations about grief during matrescence can help destigmatize these experiences.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YKxm5s5tZ7qVAtGBwqvjk?si=pVwL8UzzTE2ataLz7EnEPA

Transforming Grief, One Conversation at a Time · Episode

07/11/2025

New episode coming soon! 🎙️

In this upcoming conversation, I continue the discussion of matrescence and grief with Dr. Erin McCloskey. We lean into the tender intersection of motherhood, intergenerational grief, and identity. We explore how experiences of loss shape our personal and professional lives—especially through the transformative process of matrescence.

Erin shares how growing up in a family touched by loss influenced her research on pregnancy loss and bereavement, and how navigating her own grief during her PhD deepened her advocacy for mental health and support for mothers. Her story is one of resilience, reflection, and redefinition—an honest look at becoming an anchor for her son while grieving the absence of her own mother.

💛 Stay tuned for this heartfelt episode on how we carry, transform, and give meaning to loss in motherhood.

02/11/2025

A dreamy moon setting over the coastal range on All Souls' Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead, a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died.

Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets. The moon sets.
But they are not gone.

- Rumi

09/10/2025

Check out my October newsletter! Accept the invitation of Fall — believe that rest, reflection, and release are not signs of weakness, but acts of deep alignment. The landscape teaches us that everything has its time: blooming, fading, and beginning again. In this noticing, there is solace. In this slowing down, there is space for breath, for grief, and for quiet renewal.

I just began my October Within & Without™ introductory training, and I’m so grateful for the beautiful group that has gathered. This session brings together participants from Canada, Ireland, and the U.S., each offering unique perspectives and experiences. It’s always an honor to meet in this intimate space, hearing stories of grief, strength, and meaning shared across cultures and generations.

Although you may not be in this October W&W class, I invite you to slow down and be curious. What do you notice in this moment? As Fall unfolds around you, what new things are arriving, and what is quietly departing?
https://mailchi.mp/d9992ca1ed43/events-updates-and-musings-12896164

Understanding grief and death as an integral part of the human experience.

08/10/2025

I am honored to teach and collaborate with the most exceptional students.

06/10/2025

Stay tuned for the full new episode on Matrescence & Grief — Part One

This is part one of a two-part series exploring the intersection of matrescence and grief. In this first episode, Jessica speaks with relational therapist Jackie Turner about how grief is an integral part of the journey of matrescence, showing up in both visible and subtle ways. Their conversation highlights the importance of normalizing these experiences, integrating psychoeducation, and honoring personal stories as tools for connection and resilience.

They also dive into intergenerational grief, attachment, and the vital role of interdisciplinary support for new parents navigating this life-changing threshold.

A few takeaways:
• Matrescence is a transformative identity journey.
• Grief is a natural part of becoming a parent.
• Normalizing loss fosters connection and resilience.
• Small, often-unacknowledged losses matter.
• Intergenerational trauma can surface during this transition.
• Anxiety and attachment shifts are common.
• Psychoeducation helps families feel less alone.
• Storytelling brings healing and understanding.
• Contradictory emotions are part it.
• Interdisciplinary support enriches the experience.

(All podcast episodes are for educational purposes only)

24/09/2025

I have two spots left! Join me in October for a therapeutic mindful photography group experience and training. We will meet for two hours on four Fridays in October. Each week builds as we explore in-depth knowledge of mindful photography, perception, symbolism and photographic equivalent, grief ritual, personal and transpersonal narratives, meaning-making, and the impactful role of aesthetics in the grieving process. Open to anyone that wants to learn! Application link is in the comments or check out the program page on my website!
https://drjessicathomas.com/therapeutic-mindful-photography-training/

19/09/2025

This conversation with my dear colleague Ji hyang Padma is full of gems! I’m so grateful to have her in my orbit and to share her wisdom with you. Dr. Ji Hyang shares personal anecdotes and insights from her journey in chaplaincy and Buddhism, highlighting the transformative power of grief and the necessity of bearing witness to suffering. We discuss the importance of recognizing grief as a shared experience, the role of rituals in processing grief, and the interconnectedness of all beings.

Ji Hyang emphasizes the need for compassion, the impact of societal norms on grief expression, and the potential for healing through community support and understanding. Join us as we navigate the complexities of grief and offer insight, compassion, and hope for anyone walking this universal journey. Also, consider joining us for a brief training with Ji Hyang next week- see that link in the comments!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/21vEHKRLkAWb6SNTPlDQur?si=RSjp49ndRoypj5h1xytHvA

16/09/2025

Here’s a snippet from my conversation with my dear colleague, Ji Hyang Padma, where we explore themes of communal grief and collective healing. Together, we reflect on how acknowledging grief in a shared context can transform personal struggles into opportunities for growth and connection. Ji Hyang illuminates the power of being present with grief—revealing how it can open pathways for change, resilience, and healing.

🎙️ New episode coming soon—join us as we navigate the complexities of grief, offering wisdom and hope for anyone seeking to embrace this shared human experience.

11/09/2025

There is so much grief in the world, and at times it can feel impossible to take in—let alone find the words to share with our children when we need to. While I don’t have all the answers, I do know that simply acknowledging our feelings is a powerful first step. When we pause and give space to what is present—stress, fear, sadness, anger, disappointment, or overwhelm—we lighten the load we carry. We don’t have to hold it all in. When we allow ourselves to be real, even in small ways, we create more connection with our children and with ourselves, rather than the exhaustion and isolation that comes from masking our pain. Just like adults, kids can also feel overwhelmed by all of the upsetting events in the news and often hear more about them than parents realize. Here's an excellent book specifically for kids on this topic: "Something Bad Happened: A Kid's Guide to Coping With Events in the News" for ages 6 to 12 at https://www.amightygirl.com/something-bad-happened
For parents and educators, there's an invaluable guide filled with conversation scripts and tips on helping kids feel calm in an anxious world, "When the World Feels Like a Scary Place" at https://www.amightygirl.com/world-scary-place
For a simple yet powerful picture book that reassures kids that the world is filled with helpful and friendly people -- and serves as a counterpoint to scary news stories -- check out "Most People" for ages 4 to 7 at https://bookshop.org/a/8011/9780884485544 (Bookshop) and https://amzn.to/3wKwNzL (Amazon)
For more books to help kids of all ages manage their worries, visit our blog post "25 Books to Help Kids Overcome Anxiety, Worry, and Fear" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=22612

The top books on helping kids overcome anxiety and worry for children, teens, and parents.