Sometimes gratitude can feel miles away when we grieve. It can often feel uninvited. People may have the best of intentions when they want us to find the “silver lining” and say things like, “Well, at least…” But oftentimes, comments like that can be the last thing we want to hear from others. As we move through the holiday season, we want to support you in acknowledging that this time of year can bring up certain feelings, and that it’s okay to feel exactly how you do.

If you are grieving this holiday season and feeling things that may or may not make sense to you, you’re not alone. To help make sense of the questions the holidays often bring up for those experiencing grief, we sat down with Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Christi Carey, AMFT, who specializes in grief, for a little Q&A.

The holidays often look different after losing someone we love. Traditions that once brought joy may now bring a sense of emptiness. Things in life are constantly shifting and changing, and it’s completely acceptable to approach the holiday season differently than you may have in the past. You can create space for your feelings, remembrance, and new experiences.

For someone experiencing a loss, the holidays can bring a deep sense of grief. Familiar traditions, gatherings with loved ones, seasonal music, certain smells, or even seasonal foods may bring memories of a lost loved one to the surface and make us feel their absence in a significant way. These shifts in emotion don’t mean we are moving backward during the holidays. In fact, they’re a natural part of grief.

Grief doesn't have to disappear for hope to exist. Sometimes hope can be really small.

It can be hope that will get you through the next moment, if an entire day feels too big. It can be spontaneous laughter sprinkled into a sea of sadness. And it can happen without feeling guilty.

One of our Associate Marriage and Family Therapists, Christi Carrey, shares a personal reflection on grief and healing, drawing from both her own experience and her work with grieving clients.

There is no single way to grieve, but there are healthy ways to care for yourself while navigating loss.

What you need may change from day to day, and giving yourself permission to move through grief at your own pace can be an important part of the process.

Grief is a personal experience, and it is frequently misunderstood. Many people expect grief to follow a predictable pattern or believe there is a “right” way to grieve.

But grief doesn’t follow a straight line — and there is no universal timeline for healing.

Every child experiences challenges as they grow, and counseling can provide support no matter where they are in their journey.

At RCS, we believe that therapy promotes emotional and academic success by helping children identify emotions, develop healthy coping skills, build confidence, and navigate life's challenges.

Parents know their children better than anyone, but it can be difficult to tell when normal teenage changes become something more.

We spoke with Jazmyne Bernard, LMFT | APCC, about the concerns she commonly sees in children, teens, and families and how parents can recognize when extra support may be needed.

As the school year begins, children are adjusting to new routines, academic expectations, and social situations.

Supporting your child's emotional well-being doesn't require perfection. Small, consistent efforts can help children feel secure, confident, and prepared to navigate the school year with greater resilience.

The start of a new school year is exciting for many families, but it can also bring unexpected emotional challenges.

Even positive changes require children and teens to adjust to new environments, expectations, schedules, and social dynamics. These transitions ask the nervous system to adapt, which can leave some children feeling overwhelmed before they can fully settle into their new routine

When people hear the word boundaries, they often think of distance, conflict, or keeping people at arm's length. But according to Gabriela (Gabby) Heigl, LMFT, healthy boundaries do the opposite. We asked Gabby to share some of the most common questions she hears from clients about boundaries and relationships.

Setting boundaries doesn't mean shutting people out.It means communicating what you need so you can show up in your relationships with honesty, respect, and care.

While boundaries can feel uncomfortable at first, they are one of the healthiest ways to protect your emotional well-being, prevent burnout, and build stronger relationships.

The good news? Boundaries are a skill, and like any skill, they become easier with practice.

If you've ever said "yes" when you really wanted to say "no," you're not alone.

For many people, setting boundaries isn't difficult because they don't know what they need, it's difficult because expressing those needs feels risky.

The truth is, healthy boundaries don't just challenge your schedule, they often challenge long-standing emotional patterns.