Understanding and Helping Grieving Children with Jacey Ludlam, M.S. (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella and licensed counselor Jacey Ludlam continue exploring how grief shows up in children — and how caregivers, teachers, and clinicians can recognize the signs, respond with compassion, and support healing over time.

From behavioral shifts to developmental impacts, Jacey unpacks how grief manifests across different ages — including misdiagnoses like ADHD, internalized shame, and dissociation. The episode also offers practical insights for caregivers: how to talk to kids about death, what art and play can reveal, and when it’s time to seek professional help.

Whether you're a parent, therapist, or someone who supports children, this episode offers grounded, trauma-informed guidance you can use right now.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro 01:00 – How grief shows up in children’s play, art, and behavior 03:45 – Misdiagnosis: Grief vs. ADHD 07:00 – The role of trauma in overlapping mental health conditions 10:00 – Judgment, shame & guilt in 7–9 year olds 12:00 – Using art to process grief 14:00 – Giving children safe choices when expressing emotions 17:00 – Signs of healing in grieving children 20:00 – Why grief resurfaces across developmental stages 23:00 – 3 key ways to support a grieving child 25:00 – How to answer difficult questions about death 28:00 – Age-appropriate language & metaphors 30:00 – Should kids attend funerals or viewings? 33:00 – The danger of leaving kids in the dark 36:00 – Creative expression & storytelling as tools for healing 38:00 – Why peer groups matter for grieving kids 40:00 – When is professional help necessary? 44:00 – The long-term effects of dissociation 46:00 – What happens when a child’s self-concept breaks down 47:30 – How serious illness changes a child’s understanding of death 49:00 – Closing thoughts & what’s coming next

Grief doesn’t skip over children — but it often gets overlooked or misunderstood.

In this episode, Dr. Z is joined by childhood bereavement expert Jacey Ludlam, M.S. from the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy to talk about what grief looks like at different developmental stages, how to spot the signs in children who “seem fine,” and how adults can offer the kind of support that truly helps.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or clinician, this conversation offers compassionate, practical insights into how to show up for grieving kids — without overwhelming them or shutting them down.

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview 01:48 – How Cindy got into grief work 04:30 – Do children really understand death? 07:02 – Developmental stages of childhood grief 09:45 – Signs of grief in younger kids vs. teens 13:15 – What children often fear but won’t say 15:40 – Why honesty matters (and how to do it right) 19:22 – Common mistakes adults make with grieving children 23:10 – Using rituals and legacy items to support healing 25:55 – Grieving in schools: what teachers should know 29:15 – How to keep the door open for hard conversations 32:40 – When to consider therapy for a grieving child 35:20 – Final thoughts & practical takeaways

Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. These are the “stages of grief”. Does this really describe the whole experience of grief and bereavement? What are some better ways to think about and navigate grief?

About Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z In life, we so often avoid the complex and personal expression of grief. The avoidance makes it difficult to explore and share our grief in our everyday lives. Yet, it is a natural and universal human experience. In Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z, we will be deconstructing and highlighting the different aspects of grief and loss.

If you found this podcast helpful please share it, subscribe, and leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. We want to be a resource for anyone who is experiencing loss and this is a simple way you can help us spread the word. If you are struggling with grief and need some professional help we encourage you to find a licensed therapist, and if you can, one who specializes in trauma, death, loss, and grief. If you are in Delaware you can reach out to The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy at www.CenterForGriefTherapy.com, or by calling (302) 635-0505

Navigating Traumatic Loss with Dr. Ted Rynearson | Phoenix Rising with Dr. Christina Zampitella

In this episode of Phoenix Rising, Dr. Christina Zampitella dives deep into the themes of grief and trauma with Dr. Ted Rynearson, a retired psychiatrist with extensive experience in sudden unnatural deaths. Dr. Rynearson shares his personal story of loss and the importance of resilience and early support in coping with grief. The conversation touches on the impact of violent deaths, the significance of imagery in processing trauma, and the role of group therapy in healing. Dr. Z and Dr. Rynearson also explore the need for community-based peer support groups to address the gap in mental health resources. Join us for an insightful discussion on finding meaning and healing in the wake of traumatic loss.

00:00 Introduction to Phoenix Rising

00:28 Meet Dr. Ted Rynearson

01:36 Personal Story of Loss and Resilience

03:00 Understanding Unnatural Deaths

03:58 Historical Perspectives on Grief

07:01 The Dual Narratives of Violent Death

08:13 The Role of Imagery in Processing Trauma

16:10 Group Therapy and Resilience

20:16 Personal Reflections and Coping Strategies

22:55 The Importance of Support Systems

27:43 Challenges and Misunderstandings in Grief Therapy

38:49 Creating Peer-Led Support Groups

44:03 Conclusion and Future Plans

46:53 Closing Remarks

The Loss of a Sibling: A Journey Through Grief, Suicide, and Family with Nicole Jamison (Part 1)

In this heartfelt episode of 'Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z,' Dr. Christina Zampitella sits down with Nicole Jamison to discuss the sensitive and challenging topic of suicide. Nicole shares her personal story, opening up about the complexities of her sister Maria's life, which included adoption, bullying, divorce, and multiple traumas. Nicole recounts the highs and lows of their childhood, the impacts of their father's accident, and their mother's cancer diagnosis. She delves into Maria's battle with mental health, her use of anti-anxiety medication, and ultimately, the events leading up to her tragic passing. This raw and emotional episode aims to shed light on the multifaceted nature of grief and trauma, offering understanding and hope to those navigating similar paths.

00:00 Introduction to Phoenix Rising

00:28 Discussing Suicide with Nicole Jamison

02:47 Nicole's Early Life and Family Background

06:06 Adolescence and Early Struggles

09:03 High School and Family Crisis

11:50 College Years and Early Adulthood

13:29 Marriage, Motherhood, and More Challenges

16:21 Mental Health Struggles and Seeking Help

24:31 Compounding Family Tragedies

30:04 Maria's Final Struggles and Tragic End

In this powerful episode of Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z, Dr. Christina Zampitella breaks her silence after a year and a half hiatus to share her deeply personal journey. From a knee replacement and a sudden leukemia diagnosis, to the tragic loss of her beloved dog and both of her parents within a week of each other, Dr. Z has been through a tumultuous period of intense grief and trauma.

She discusses her battle with cancer, including the grueling treatments and emotional toll it took on her, as well as the critical support systems that helped her persevere.

As Dr. Z prepares to relaunch her podcast, she invites listeners to submit topics and share their own stories of loss and healing. This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at resilience and the human spirit's capacity to rise from the ashes of profound loss.

In this episode, Christina Zampitella sits down for a Q&A session. Christina is a distinguished expert from the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy. Join us as we delve into a thought-provoking dialogue that covers a range of topics from viewers like you.

__________

About Phoenix Rising

In life, we so often avoid the complex and personal expression of grief. The avoidance makes it difficult to explore and share our grief in our everyday lives. Yet, it is a natural and universal human experience.

In Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z, we will be deconstructing and highlighting the different aspects of grief and loss.

__________

If you found this podcast helpful please share it, subscribe, and leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts. We want to be a resource for anyone who is experiencing loss and this is a simple way you can help us spread the word. If you are struggling with grief and need some professional help we encourage you to find a licensed therapist, and if you can, one who specializes in trauma, death, loss, and grief. If you are in Delaware you can reach out to The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy at www.CenterForGriefTherapy.com, or by calling (302) 635-0505