Hello and welcome to my newly revamped website Whispers of Wisdom.  I first launched my website in 2014 with a focus on grief and loss.  I was drawn to these topics as my husband, Roy died suddenly of a heart attack in the summer of 2011.  Interestingly, I have been a licensed psychotherapist since 1995 and through the years I had studied and explored a variety of approaches for supporting clients who were dealing with grief and loss.  I had “successfully” worked through the deaths of my parents, a few friends, and many four legged companions.  I felt confident in my ability to handle death and loss.  In the initial months following Roy’s death, I quickly learned that I was not prepared for the emotional and psychological impact of being a widow.  Facing life on my own after almost 25 years of being with my wonderful late husband was daunting. The steps I initially needed to take in order to deal with  the emotional pain and to be on top of the legal responsibilities were unfamiliar, uncomfortable and agonizing. I faltered many times on my journey.

From the onset of creating my website, my intention has been to shed light on what I have learned about grief.  I hope to inspire my readers who are walking the path of grief to cultivate a sense of self-confidence to find their way through the painful aftermath of death and loss.  Ultimately I aspire to encourage others on this path to have faith in themselves and to learn that there is life after loss.  

It has now been 10 years since my husband’s death.  Four years ago, I moved from the beachside community of Santa Barbara to the high deserts of Tucson.  Although I have been writing during the time I have been living in Tucson, I have not published a blog since early 2018.  At the present time, I find myself in a very different chapter of my life and I have new insights to share with my readers.  I invite you to join me on this continuing journey of healing and self discovery.  

Kathleen A. Barry,  PhD