Our Story
Where It All Began
I, Lisa S. Zoll, founded Grief Relief because I am familiar with the effects that grief and trauma has on an individual because of my own life experiences. One of several particularly poignant losses in my life was when my nephew Abe died in a single-vehicle car accident on October 28, 2006. He was only 23 years old. His death was devastating to me and my entire family.
But the heart-wrenching losses didn’t stop there. My father, who had a career as an early childhood school principal, passed away in 2009 from Parkinson’s disease. A few years later in 2013, my mother passed away from a stroke. Part of the healing process in their deaths was to do their eulogies. I was able to memorialize and honor them in my own words, which was very powerful for me. I talked about snapshots of my dad’s life, including his love of scouting, gardening, and being a principal at the Foose Elementary School in Harrisburg, PA. For my mom, I talked about her generosity toward others and how I promised her before she died that I would carry that forward in her honor.
Throughout the years, I’ve lost friends and loved ones and have experienced non-death related losses and transitions. Because of these challenges, I realized I needed to learn how to process them and live forward.
The Way My Family Didn’t Deal with Loss and Grief
Growing up, no one in my family talked about grief. I never attended the funerals of my grandparents.
My parents tried to protect me from the pain and sadness of loss. Because they shielded me, I didn’t know how to process my grief as an adult. That became a significant issue when I lost a family friend named Barb. She was like a grandmother to me. I never got to say goodbye to her because I wasn’t told that she’d died until a few days later. My parents broke the news to me by showing up at my work and telling me. It wasn’t the best environment for such news to say nothing of the fact that I was told days after she’d passed. I had a lot of questions surrounding her illness because, in an effort to protect me, my parents didn’t tell me all the details while Barb was sick and dying.
Because I was having trouble with Barb’s death, I reached out to Chaplain Dianne who worked at the same medical center as me. The chaplain helped me work through the layers of that loss. The one thing that she explained to me was that I had unresolved grief. That helped knowing that my struggle had a name. She recommended that I write an “unsent letter” addressed to Barb. It was a helpful way to put my unresolved emotions about Barb’s death into words. I processed my feelings for her. It created an opportunity for me to vent about the difficult emotions associated with her death, how my parents didn’t tell me that she died until days later, and how my parents withheld the truth about her illness. I then shared the letter with the chaplain. This writing therapy gave me some perspective and distanced me from the grief.
My personal losses and the support I received from Chaplain Dianne was pivotal in my decision to earn my master’s degree in Social Work from Temple University. These events were stepping stones to something more than I had imagined. My diverse career experiences, including the twelve years that I worked as a clinical psychiatric specialist, culminated in the establishment of Grief Relief.
Grief, Loss, & Trauma Therapy
Founded in 2019, Grief Relief, LLC offers grief counseling services in Pennsylvania that provides specialized therapy for adults. We chose to focus on supporting adults with significant losses because there’s the Caring Place for children in the Wormleysburg area, but no similar resources for adults. We work to fill that gap.
At our clinic, we recognize that grief is a deeply personal journey, and we strive to provide a safe space where individuals can navigate their emotions, find understanding, and discover their strengths. We empower our clients to embark on a journey of healing and transformation through evidenced-based approaches used in mental health therapy.
We’ve discovered that many people need help navigating the death of a significant person in their life because the death occurred under tragic circumstances. The grieving process is more complicated in those cases because the person is dealing with grief and trauma. That’s why we use a trauma-informed treatment approach. This means that we seek to create a safe environment that supports persons with trauma histories and not cause further re-traumatization.
As Seen In…
Our Mission
We join with members of the community in a space that allows them to navigate stressful life events at their own pace. Our goal is to facilitate the healing journey by identifying ways to process past experiences and embrace the possibilities of the future.
Our Vision
We provide expert services customized to meet the unique needs of the individuals, families, groups, communities, and the organizations we serve.
10,000+ sessions completed
1100+ satisfied patients
100+ first responders helped
5+ years running
What Sets Us Apart
Although we are qualified to provide therapy for adults to manage depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and other mental illnesses, our therapy clinic focuses on bereavement or grief therapy for those needing therapy in Pennsylvania, whether in person or through tele-health.
Specializing in such niche therapy services as grief counseling and trauma therapy requires additional training and staying up-to-date with the best treatment methods. One of the most effective trauma-focused techniques is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) through the EMDR International Association. Through targeted interventions and personalized care plans, we empower our patients to reclaim their well-being and rediscover a sense of wholeness.
Our Staff
We understand that the tumultuous journey of loss and healing from traumatic experiences is challenging, complex, and can take time. Because we exclusively provide trauma-focused treatment and grief counseling, our staff members have specific education, certifications, and experience dedicated to grief and trauma therapy. We also have at least one therapy dog in the office who are trained to help those struggling with grief or trauma.
That’s why many of our therapists are Certified Clinical Trauma Professionals (CCTP) through the International Association of Trauma Professionals, training in Crisis Intervention Stress Management (CISM) through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), and Trauma Informed Care certifications. Click here for more detailed information about our staff and their personal and professional experiences.
National Outreach & Education on Grief and Trauma
Since Grief Relief, LLC was founded, we have made a concerted effort to educate the public on grief, loss, and trauma. We do this through our Living Forward platform. This initiative’s main goal is to increase other’s understanding of mental health. We do this by leading customized speaking engagements, conferences, trainings, and lectures.
We have participated in 80+ events on the local, state, and national level. During those events, we discuss trauma, loss, and grief and how they can impact individuals, families, communities, and organizations.
Community Involvement
We created a specific platform, GRIT (Grief Relief Intervention Team) to provide a safe space where first responders and the general public can process traumatic events right after they occur.
Several of our therapists, including Ed Curtis who also works as a police officer, are certified in Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. This certification allows our therapists to lead Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) debriefings for first responders and the general public. After people experience a particularly horrific event, businesses, public schools, and first responder departments throughout numerous central Pennsylvania counties seek us out to lead these meetings.
How We Improve Access to Mental Health for First Responders
Before Lisa was a licensed clinical social worker, she volunteered as a firefighter and EMT. She worked at the Camp Hill Fire Department, Company 14, for six years. She went on all different kinds of calls, giving her first-hand insights into the unique challenges faced by first responders.
Lisa and many of our staff at Grief Relief, LLC have personal and professional experiences of being a first responder. We are forever grateful for those courageous souls who rush toward danger while the rest of the world retreats. Whether you’re an EMT, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, dispatcher, or corrections officer, we understand the toll that trauma can take on your mind, body, and spirit. That’s why we provide therapy services specifically for first responders in Wormleysburg, PA and the surrounding areas.
State-Wide Involvement
Given our trauma-focused treatment approach, we regularly work with first responders throughout the state of Pennsylvania through the FRAP (First Responder Assistance Program) initiative. This program, which continues to grow exponentially throughout the state, provides confidential mental health services to first responders within the state.
Get Scheduled with a therapist today!
Begin the Journey to Improve Your Mental Health
As a company founded by a former first responder, we bring a unique perspective to the realm of grief support. Our team understands the complexities of trauma and loss, allowing us to provide insight and support to our clients. Our local grief therapists at Grief Relief, LLC stand as trusted partners on your journey toward living forward.
Whether you’re grappling with the loss of a loved one, navigating a difficult life transition, or seeking support in the aftermath of trauma, Grief Relief, LLC is here to walk alongside you. Together, we’ll embark on a journey of healing, hope, and renewal. A journey where grief gives way to relief, and sorrow transforms into strength.
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