Meet Danielle Sheppard | Grief Therapist, Group Facilitator, Educator and Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Sheppard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Grief is a very important part of life and a human experience all will face if they have not. As a society, we can do better at how we understand grief, both our own and what another is going through. We learn many things in school and grief is not one of them. As a grief educator, and licensed clinician, I bring my expertise and training but even more so I bring my Self to the individual in grief. I provide and co-create a sacred space for processing grief, learning about grief and exploring this life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Seeking therapy is challenging enough for most people to do even when they are ready. With group therapy, it’s an additionally vulnerable experience given the processing of emotions and sharing of one’s story in the presence of others. This is the power of group therapy and I know this now from both professional and personal experiences. Grief is meant to be witnessed and these grief groups allow for exactly that to happen; and it does. I am most proud of the intentionality behind the structure and selection of the group members. Beginning with the recognition I found in the grief community to validate the need for grief groups specifically for individuals of the LGBTQ+ community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely a coffee trip to South LA Cafe. I am such a huge fan of Celia and Joe, their story and their business mission. Then off to Malibu for a hike off PCH to Escondido Falls, presuming you like a good hike. It’s not too long and so beautiful.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give credit to my mentor David Kessler, whose grief educator program really provided me the courage and platform to grow my business to include the offering of grief groups – where individuals process their grief in a safe, supportive therapeutic space.

Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/danielle-g-sheppard-culver-city-ca/108651

Instagram: That sounds lovely, IG is: https://www.instagram.com/livingcareers/

Other: grief group(s) interest form:  https://forms.gle/ob4REqdffLeu4AJz8 and flyer