EP 27: Grief, Sobriety, and the Courage to Feel: A Conversation with Marie Burgess

In this deeply moving episode, I sat down with Marie Burgess—licensed therapist, grief specialist, and founder of Genuine Connections Psychotherapy—to talk about something most people avoid: grief.

Marie is not just a therapist—she’s a grieving mom who lost her son Harvey to a terminal illness nearly a decade ago. She shared her personal journey of advocacy, hospice care, and healing after loss—and how sobriety became part of her own recovery.

We explored why grief so often leads people to numb with alcohol or substances, and how that instinct to escape can deepen the pain rather than relieve it. Marie shared how she helps grieving parents, siblings, and children find hope, connection, and strength—one breath at a time.

If you’re navigating grief yourself, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a tender and honest reminder that you don’t have to go through it alone. 💛

📝 In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Marie’s story of losing her son and building a practice rooted in grief work

• Why grief often leads to substance use—and why it makes sense (but doesn’t help)

• How alcohol can become a socially acceptable escape from trauma

• What PTSD looks like after the loss of a child (and how it often gets overlooked)

• Marie’s own journey with alcohol: from daily wine to blackouts to taking a break

• The importance of modeling emotional awareness and self-compassion

• Why grief needs to be witnessed—not shoved down or avoided

• The importance of community and sharing our stories

• What Marie wishes everyone knew about supporting grieving families

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• 🧠 Marie’s therapy practice: Genuine Connections Psychotherapy

• 📸 Follow Marie on Instagram: @genuineconnectionspsychotherapy

💬 Want to learn more about the tools I offer? 👇

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