Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald will explore ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief—forms of grief that lack clarity, closure, or social recognition—and why they are especially impactful in adoption-related experiences.
Grounded in trauma-informed psychology, neuroscience, and clinical practice, this presentation helps participants understand why traditional grief models often fall short and how unresolved grief can affect behavior, attachment, and the nervous system. Attendees will gain compassionate, practical tools to recognize, validate, and support grief that cannot be fixed—but can be meaningfully witnessed and integrated.
PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO:
-Understand the core features of ambiguous loss and disenfranchised
grief.
-Recognize how these forms of grief uniquely affect identity, attachment,
and regulation.
-Learn trauma-informed strategies for supporting individuals and
families living with unresolved or socially unrecognized loss.
-Gain language and tools that foster validation, meaning-making, and
resilience.
Presenter:
Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald is a PhD researcher, author, and traumainformed educator whose work bridges neuroscience, grief, and resilience. She is the author of Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong and The Joy Reset, and has over 15 years of experience teaching, writing, and training clinicians, educators, and community professionalson trauma, loss, and healing.