TW: Mention of suicide

This week, I sat down with Elyce Mandich, a licensed therapist who turned her experience of losing her mother to suicide at age ten into a powerful mission of healing and connection. We dive into the complex landscape of grief, mental health, and the importance of creating spaces where difficult conversations can happen. Elyce shares her journey from child welfare to private practice, revealing how personal experiences can shape our professional paths and our understanding of human resilience.

Our conversation explores the nuanced ways we process trauma, the power of being present, and the critical importance of talking openly about challenging topics like suicide and mental health. Elyce offers raw, compassionate insights into how we can move through life's most difficult moments, not by forgetting or minimizing them, but by radically accepting our experiences and choosing to step into the driver's seat of our own healing. Her perspective is a beautiful reminder that our most painful experiences can become the very catalyst for our greatest growth and our ability to support others.

All show notes are available at www.deanapanza.com!

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The unexpected path that transforms personal grief into professional calling
• The critical importance of discussing "taboo" topics like suicide with openness and compassion
• How radical acceptance can shift our relationship with painful experiences

Resources Mentioned:

• Reclaim + Reconnect 12-week program: https://www.deanapanza.com/reclaimandreconnect

Let's connect:

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Email: deana@deanapanza.com

Reminder: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for therapy or individualized mental health or medical care.