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Gabriella Carafa, MSW, PMH-C is a social worker, psychotherapist and consultant working with people in the perinatal period experiencing mental health issues as well as parents with disabilities. Gabriella welcomed her daughter 2 years ago and then at 3.5 months postpartum lost her sister to an opiate overdose. Gabriella shares her story of love and loss while trying to juggle adjusting to parenthood and grieving the loss of her sister simultaneously. I’m so grateful to Gabriella for sharing her story in a vulnerable and authentic way.

Content Warning: Death, grief, opiate overdose, substance use/misuse, addiction, trauma

Highlights:

1:52 - Gabriella introduces herself and how professional and personal lives intersect

4:09 - Gabriella shares her story of becoming a parent and about her relationship with her sister

10:00 - Feeling guilt about her sister’s journey and passing (might have to edit some out here)

13:59 - Gabriella’s postpartum experience and heightened anxiety

17:41 - Gabriella’s sister passed away

24:14 - Grief in the postpartum period and having to be grateful because there was a baby

38:48 - Having compassion for her sister and herself

44:23 - Grief in the perinatal period related to loss and becoming a parent

52:15 - How losing her sister impacted her postpartum period

1:06:04 - Grief rituals and making meaning post loss

1:17:05 - Gabriella shares her favourite memories of her sister

Resources mentioned in this episode:

You can reach Gabriella by email at gcarafa.rsw@gmail.com

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online.

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory.

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com .

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