Heidi Horsley

Dr. Heidi Horsley is a licensed psychologist, social worker, and bereaved sibling. She co-hosts the award-winning weekly cable television show and podcast, Open to Hope. Dr. Heidi is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, and an award-winning author, who has co-authored eight books, and serves on the United Nations Global Mental Health Task Force. She also serves on the Advisory Boards for the Tragedy Assistance Program, the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation, and Peace of Mind Afghanistan. She served on the National Board of Directors for The Compassionate Friends, and for 10 yrs. worked on a Columbia University research study looking at traumatic loss over time in families who lost a firefighter in the World Trade Center.

Articles:

Grieving a Suicide Loss: How to Find Your Way Forward

Suicide loss carries a kind of grief most people never see — layered with shock, guilt, trauma, and unanswered questions. Here are 8 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with suicide loss and find your way forward when the questions never get answered.

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Grief Brain: Why You Can’t Think Clearly After Loss (And What Actually Helps)

Grief brain is real. The fog, forgetfulness, and slow-moving thoughts that follow loss are not a weakness or a sign you’re “going crazy.” They’re a measurable neurological response to grief. Here’s what’s actually happening in your brain after loss, and 7 therapist-tested ways to think more clearly while you’re grieving.

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When Should You See a Grief Therapist? 7 Signs It’s Time

Wondering if you should see a grief therapist? Most grievers don’t need formal therapy — but some do, and the signs aren’t always obvious. Here are 7 signs it’s time to see a grief therapist, plus what to look for in finding the right one.

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Grieving a Best Friend: When the World Doesn’t See Your Loss

Grieving a best friend carries a particular invisibility. You aren’t the spouse, the parent, or the child — but you’ve lost someone who knew you completely. Here are 7 ways to grieve a best friend’s death and honor a friendship the world may not fully understand.

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The First Anniversary of Death: What to Expect and How to Cope

The first anniversary of a death is one of the hardest days of the entire grief journey. The body remembers what the mind tries to brace for. Here’s what to expect on the first anniversary of a death, and 8 compassionate ways to cope with the day they died.

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Birthday Grief: How to Honor Your Loved One on Their Birthday After They Die

Birthday grief is one of the most underestimated parts of bereavement. The world keeps the date on the calendar but the person is gone. Here are 8 meaningful ways to honor your loved one on their birthday and turn a day of loss into a day of remembrance.

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Grief and Anger: Why You Feel So Angry After Loss (And What Helps)

Grief and anger are uncomfortable companions. Many bereaved people are blindsided by the rage that comes with loss. Here’s why grief produces anger, who that anger often targets, and 7 compassionate ways to work with it instead of being run by it.

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Prolonged Grief Disorder: How to Know When Grief Has Become Something More

Prolonged grief disorder is a diagnosable condition in which intense grief persists and disrupts daily life more than a year after a loss. Here’s how it differs from typical grief, who is most at risk, and the treatments that genuinely help.

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Grief Brain: Why Loss Makes You Forgetful, Foggy, and Unable to Focus

Grief brain is the very real fog, forgetfulness, and trouble concentrating that follow a major loss. Here’s the science behind why your mind feels broken after grief, and how to be gentle with yourself while it heals.

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How Grief Affects Your Physical Health, From Your Heart to Your Immune System

Grief isn’t only emotional — it takes a measurable toll on the body, from the heart to the immune system. Here’s what research reveals about grief’s physical effects and how to protect your health while you mourn.

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