Phoenix Rising With Dr Z: Conversations About Grief and Loss
Dr, Christina Zampitella
60 episodes
1 day ago
In life. we so often avoid the experience of grief, and that avoidance makes it hard to talk about in our everyday lives. Yet it is a natural and almost universal experience- one that is complex and personal.
In this podcast, we will be deconstructing and zooming in on the component parts of grief,
and talking about the different ways we can process and heal through loss.
About Your Host
Dr Christina Zampitella- is a Dr of Clinical Psychology and a Fellow of Thanatology, with the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the founder of the Center For Grief and Trauma Therapy in Wilmington Delaware.
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In life. we so often avoid the experience of grief, and that avoidance makes it hard to talk about in our everyday lives. Yet it is a natural and almost universal experience- one that is complex and personal.
In this podcast, we will be deconstructing and zooming in on the component parts of grief,
and talking about the different ways we can process and heal through loss.
About Your Host
Dr Christina Zampitella- is a Dr of Clinical Psychology and a Fellow of Thanatology, with the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the founder of the Center For Grief and Trauma Therapy in Wilmington Delaware.
0058: Unanticipated Loss with Jennifer Levin, FT (Part 2)
Phoenix Rising With Dr Z: Conversations About Grief and Loss
36 minutes
2 days ago
0058: Unanticipated Loss with Jennifer Levin, FT (Part 2)
Unanticipated Loss with Jennifer Levin, FT – Part 2
Grieving the unimaginable takes more than time — it takes validation, stabilization, and the space to be fully human. In Part 2 of this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella continues her discussion with grief and trauma expert Dr. Jennifer Levin, diving into what it really means to navigate unanticipated loss.
This episode offers a rare and honest look at:
The internal and external experiences of traumatic grief
How the body carries the weight of sudden loss
What it means to "resource" someone before they’re ready to process
How grief shows up in real life — not just theory
The dangers of toxic positivity and forced timelines for healing
How to find the right kind of therapeutic support for traumatic grief
Whether you're grieving or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with insight, warmth, and clarity.
⏱️ CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome back & setting the stage 01:10 – Why trauma work doesn’t begin right away 04:50 – Stabilization and building a therapeutic alliance 06:00 – Moving the trauma out of the center of the grief 08:30 – Resourcing clients: what it means and why it matters 12:00 – When your way of grieving makes others uncomfortable 14:45 – The power of group support and shared grief 17:20 – How unanticipated loss can reshape who we are 21:10 – The body keeps the score — even in grief 23:30 – Why avoidance can feel protective (but isn’t sustainable) 25:30 – Oscillation in grief: approach and withdraw 27:00 – Advice for people navigating unanticipated loss 28:30 – The pain of losing a child and the depth of guilt 30:00 – What not to say to someone grieving 32:00 – Finding the right therapist for traumatic grief 35:00 – The need for trauma-informed grief care 36:00 – Dr. Levin’s resources and closing reflections
Phoenix Rising With Dr Z: Conversations About Grief and Loss
In life. we so often avoid the experience of grief, and that avoidance makes it hard to talk about in our everyday lives. Yet it is a natural and almost universal experience- one that is complex and personal.
In this podcast, we will be deconstructing and zooming in on the component parts of grief,
and talking about the different ways we can process and heal through loss.
About Your Host
Dr Christina Zampitella- is a Dr of Clinical Psychology and a Fellow of Thanatology, with the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the founder of the Center For Grief and Trauma Therapy in Wilmington Delaware.
