When a grandparent funeral collides with a complicated family history, the grief runs deeper than the loss of one person. The grandparent often stood as a refuge, the one safe harbor in a storm of parental harm and neglect. Losing that protective figure triggers a double grief: mourning the grandparent and the loss of the only reliable witness to your childhood. Navigating this grief alongside difficult parents at the funeral magnifies the emotional toll. Understanding these layers helps you hold your pain with clarity and set boundaries that honor both your grief and your safety.
Last reviewed: June 2026 by Annie Wright, LMFT
- The Graveside and the Double Grief
- The Three Types of Grandparents in a Harmful Family System
- When You’re Grieving the Last Safe Person in the Family
- How to Attend This Funeral When Your Parents Are Also There
- The Complicated Grief for a Grandparent Who Was Complicit
- Both/And: Your Grief Is Pure AND the Day Will Be Complicated
- The Systemic Lens: Why Your Grandparent Knew the Truth
- How to Honor Them in a Family That Can’t Hold That Honoring
- Frequently Asked Questions
Disenfranchised grief is grief that society doesn’t recognize as legitimate, a concept originated by Kenneth Doka, PhD. When a grandparent dies and the family system is harmful or estranged, mourning runs two tracks: grief for the person and grief for the family that never was. The loss deepens when that grandparent was the only safe attachment figure, leaving the survivor without a relational anchor inside the family. In my work with driven women navigating these layered losses, the hardest part is sitting with grief the rest of the family can’t name.
In short: Grief at a grandparent’s funeral deepens when that grandparent was your only safe family member, creating a disenfranchised loss the surrounding family can’t recognize or mourn with you.
If nothing was ever obviously wrong but you still came out doubting your own perception, my self-paced course Clarity After the Covert is the map for what you experienced.
With more than 15,000 clinical hours working with adults from complicated family systems, I have seen how grief compounds when the loss is not recognized by the community around it. Pauline Boss, PhD, professor emerita and originator of ambiguous loss theory, documents how losses that resist clean resolution create prolonged psychological distress (Boss 1999).
The Graveside and the Double Grief
This moment is raw and complex. The grief isn’t just for her grandmother’s passing but for the disappearance of the only refuge she ever knew within a family marked by difficulty. Around her, others offer condolences, unaware of the layered sorrow she carries alone.
For women whose parents were the source of trauma, a grandparent’s funeral can stir a double grief. The loss is twofold: the beloved elder and the final anchor to safety in a complicated family landscape. This layered mourning often goes unrecognized, leaving many feeling isolated in their sorrow.
Research from Karl Pillemer, PhD, at Cornell University highlights how protective grandparents can serve as essential buffers for children living with difficult parents. When that grandparent dies, the loss reverberates beyond the individual, shaking the very foundation of what felt like a safe relational space.
Grieving in this context means navigating not only sorrow but also the shadow of parental harm still present at the funeral. Attending such a service often involves managing the presence of parents who are sources of pain, complicating the natural process of mourning.
| Experience | Impact on Grief | Challenges at Funeral |
|---|---|---|
| Grandparent as Protective Refuge | Grief includes loss of safety and witness | Balancing mourning with parental presence |
| Parents as Source of Trauma | Triggers ambivalence and guarded emotions | Managing boundaries and emotional safety |
| Family Funeral Setting | Heightened emotional complexity | Potential for retraumatization and conflict |
Recognizing this dual grief is essential. It validates the profound loss of both the grandparent and the safe relational space they represented. This understanding can be a first step toward compassionate self-care and setting boundaries during the funeral.
If you’re facing a family funeral complicated by difficult parents, remember that your grief is valid, even if it doesn’t look like others expect. The day may feel overwhelming, but you can prepare strategies to protect your emotional well-being.
For guidance on navigating grief when the person who hurt you dies, see this resource. And if you’re seeking support to process these complex emotions, consider exploring therapy options here.
The Three Types of Grandparents in a Harmful Family System
Kenneth Doka, PhD, professor of gerontology at The Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle and senior consultant to the Hospice Foundation of America, originated the disenfranchised grief framework: grief that is not openly acknowledged, publicly mourned, or socially supported.
In plain terms: If the person who died also hurt you, other people may not know how to make room for your grief. That does not make your grief less real.
When a grandparent dies within a family marked by harm, the relationships you’ve had with that grandparent usually fall into one of three distinct categories. Understanding which type fits your experience can clarify the complex emotions stirred by a grandparent funeral complicated family dynamics.
These categories are not just labels, they shape how you grieve, how you navigate the funeral, and how you hold onto your memories afterward. They are:
- The Protective Grandparent: A refuge and witness within a harmful family system.
- The Complicit Grandparent: One who enabled or turned a blind eye to the abuse or neglect.
- The Separate Grandparent: Someone whose relationship with you remained safe but who was otherwise disconnected from the family’s harm.
Each type carries its own grief and challenges, especially when your parents are difficult or abusive, making the family funeral complicated by your parents’ presence or behavior.
The Separate Grandparent maintained a safe, loving relationship with you but was otherwise disconnected from the family’s harmful dynamics. This grandparent might not have intervened or known the full extent of the abuse, but their relationship with you was a clear space free from harm. Their death is a loss of a safe adult figure, but it doesn’t carry the same complex entanglement of protection or complicity. Jordan’s vignette captures this experience as she grieves her grandfather’s simple, clean love, while simultaneously managing her mother’s dramatic grief performance. The funeral becomes a space where love and exhaustion coexist.
| Grandparent Type | Role in Harmful Family System | Grief and Funeral Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Grandparent | Refuge and witness; safe adult within harmful system | Double grief, loss of grandparent and last safe relationship; isolated mourning; others may not understand |
| Complicit Grandparent | Enabler or minimizer of parental abuse/neglect | Conflicted grief; anger and mourning intermixed; complicated presence at funeral |
| Separate Grandparent | Safe relationship but disconnected from family harm | Clearer grief; loss of safe adult; funeral complicated by other family dynamics |
These categories are not mutually exclusive, and some relationships may shift over time or feel more ambiguous. For more on managing grief when the person who hurt you dies, see this guide. If you anticipate attending a funeral with estranged or difficult parents, this resource offers practical strategies for navigating those encounters.
Understanding these distinctions also aligns with Dr. Karl Pillemer’s research on grandparents as protective factors in children of difficult parents. His work highlights how grandparents can serve as anchors of safety and validation, which makes their loss uniquely painful when your parents were the wound, not the grandparent.
If you’re preparing for a grandparent funeral complicated by difficult parents, grounding yourself in this framework can help you hold your grief with clarity and compassion amid the family chaos. For tailored support, consider exploring therapy options designed for complex family dynamics and trauma at therapy with Annie Wright, LMFT.
When You’re Grieving the Last Safe Person in the Family
Pauline Boss, PhD, professor emerita at the University of Minnesota and originator of ambiguous loss theory, describes losses that remain unclear and resist clean resolution.
In plain terms: You may be grieving the death, the childhood you did not get, the apology that never came, and the relationship that was never safe.
Dennis Klass, PhD, Phyllis Silverman, PhD, and Steven Nickman, PhD, advanced continuing bonds theory, which recognizes that relationships with the dead can change rather than simply end.
In plain terms: You do not have to force yourself to forget, forgive, or move on. You can build a truthful inner relationship to what happened.
When a protective grandparent dies, the grief you carry isn’t just for their passing. It’s also for the loss of the one safe person who understood your experience within a harmful family system. This is a layered grief, where the death represents both a personal loss and the disappearance of a relational refuge.
Pauline Boss, PhD, professor emerita at the University of Minnesota and originator of ambiguous loss theory, helps us name this experience. Ambiguous loss happens when the loss isn’t clean or clear-cut. In the case of a protective grandparent, the grief includes mourning the safe relationship that can’t be replaced or fully recovered. This type of loss creates chronic sorrow and confusion, because the family system itself remains unsafe or unchanged.
Neurobiological research sheds light on why this grief feels so intense and complex. Stephen Porges, PhD, psychiatrist and originator of the Polyvagal Theory, explains how our nervous system detects relational safety or threat. When you lose the one person who consistently made you feel safe, your body’s sense of security is shaken. Even if you intellectually understand the death, your autonomic nervous system reacts as if a vital protection has vanished. This can trigger heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, or dissociation, especially in the presence of the very parents who caused harm.
Karl Pillemer, PhD, professor of human development at Cornell University and author of Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them, emphasizes how protective grandparents often serve as crucial buffers in families with difficult parents. Their presence can mitigate the effects of parental abuse or neglect. When that buffer disappears, the child. Now an adult. Faces both the loss of a beloved grandparent and the collapse of their only refuge within the family system.
Jordan’s experience captures this tension. Driving to her grandfather’s funeral with her mother beside her, she holds grief for her grandfather. A safe and loving man. Alongside the exhaustion of managing her mother’s dramatic grief performance. She carries loneliness in holding both realities at once: mourning a protective grandparent and navigating a complicated parent relationship.
Understanding these dynamics can help you hold your grief without judgment. Recognizing that your grief is not only about the grandparent but also about the loss of safety within your family system is a vital step toward healing.
| Key Aspects of Grieving a Protective Grandparent | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Dual Grief | Mourning both the grandparent and the loss of your only safe relationship within the family. |
| Ambiguous Loss | Grief complicated by the ongoing presence of harmful family dynamics, making closure difficult. |
| Nervous System Impact | Loss triggers heightened threat responses due to the absence of relational safety. |
| Disenfranchised Grief | Grief that isn’t openly acknowledged or supported because others don’t share your experience. |
| Protective Buffer | The grandparent’s role as a mitigating force against parental harm, now lost. |
For more guidance on navigating these complex emotions and relationships, consider visiting the betrayal trauma guide or exploring therapeutic support at therapy with Annie. Understanding the interplay between trauma, attachment, and grief can empower you to honor your protective grandparent’s memory while safeguarding your own well-being.
How to Attend This Funeral When Your Parents Are Also There
Jordan drives to her grandfather’s funeral with her mother beside her. The grief she feels for her grandfather is clear and uncomplicated. He was a safe, loving presence. But layered over that is the weight of managing her mother’s intense, performative sorrow. She’s exhausted by the emotional labor of holding space for her mother’s grief while also trying to honor her own feelings. This is the reality when your parents, who caused you harm, are also part of the funeral.
For driven women who’ve endured difficult parents, attending a grandparent’s funeral often means navigating a minefield of emotional triggers and boundary challenges. You may want to grieve quietly, but your parents’ presence can feel like a spotlight on old wounds. It’s essential to prepare beforehand with clear intentions and practical strategies.
Here’s a simple decision framework to help you stay grounded and safe:
- Identify Your Limits: Know what you can tolerate emotionally and physically.
- Plan Your Exit Strategies: Have a quiet space or a trusted person to step away to if needed.
- Prepare Neutral Responses: Use brief, non-engaging replies to deflect unwanted conversations.
- Lean on Allies: Connect beforehand with family members or friends who respect your boundaries.
For example, if a parent tries to draw you into a conversation about family reconciliation or guilt-tripping, you might say, “I’m here to grieve my grandfather today,” and gently disengage. This kind of script honors your grief while protecting your emotional safety.
Remember that your grief for your grandparent is valid and separate from the complications your parents bring. It’s okay to feel sadness and loss while also feeling frustration, anger, or exhaustion about your parents’ behavior. Both experiences can coexist without negating each other.
| Common Challenges at the Funeral | Practical Strategies |
|---|---|
| Parents monopolizing attention or grief performances | Set time limits on conversations; step away when needed |
| Being pressured to reconcile or engage | Use clear, calm boundaries; repeat your intentions as needed |
| Feeling isolated despite being surrounded by family | Bring a supportive friend or ally; plan self-care breaks |
| Triggers from family dynamics and past trauma | Practice grounding techniques; focus on your grief for the grandparent |
If maintaining your boundaries feels overwhelming, consider professional support. Therapy or coaching can provide tools to navigate these moments with greater resilience. Resources like therapy with Annie Wright or the going no-contact guide can offer practical insights tailored to your situation.
Ultimately, your presence at the funeral can honor your grandparent’s memory without sacrificing your emotional safety. You don’t have to engage with toxic dynamics to grieve authentically. Holding your boundaries is an act of self-respect and a tribute to the refuge your grandparent provided in a complicated family system.
For more on managing grief when the person who hurt you has died, see this article. If you’re facing a family funeral complicated by difficult parent relationships, this guide offers additional strategies to navigate the day.
The Complicated Grief for a Grandparent Who Was Complicit
Ritual autonomy is the right to decide how, whether, and with whom you mark a death when public grief rituals do not reflect the truth of the relationship.
In plain terms: You can attend, not attend, hold a private ritual, stay silent, write a letter, or do nothing visible. Your body gets a vote.
Jordan’s experience illustrates this complexity. Driving to her grandfather’s funeral with her mother in the passenger seat, she feels the simple, clean grief for a man who was safe and loving. But alongside that is the exhaustion of managing her mother’s dramatic grief performance. A reminder that the family wounds are still raw and present. Her grief sits side by side with the loneliness of having to navigate both at once.
To help you navigate this complicated grief, consider this practical decision framework for the funeral and the days that follow:
| Step | Action | Example Script or Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Clarify your boundaries | Decide what interactions you’re willing to have with family members, especially parents who may be difficult or performative. | “I’m here to honor my grandfather, but I need to keep our conversations brief and focused on the service.” |
| 2. Prepare for emotional triggers | Anticipate moments during the funeral that might bring up conflicting feelings or old wounds. | Use grounding techniques like deep breathing or a discreet sensory object (a smooth stone, a bracelet) to stay present. |
| 3. Have an exit plan | Identify when and how you can step away if the environment becomes overwhelming or unsafe. | “I’ll take a short walk outside if I need a break from the room.” |
| 4. Identify a support person | Bring along someone who understands your family dynamics and can provide quiet support. | A trusted friend or therapist you can text or call during the event. |
| 5. Allow space for contradictory feelings | Remind yourself that it’s okay to grieve the loss and feel anger or disappointment simultaneously. | Journal or speak privately with your support person about both the love and the hurt. |
Recognize that your grief may be disenfranchised. That is, not openly acknowledged or supported by others who expect a simpler or more straightforward mourning. As Dr. Kenneth Doka’s work on disenfranchised grief explains, this can intensify feelings of isolation. You may find that your conflicted feelings don’t fit the family’s narrative, which can deepen your sense of being unseen or misunderstood.
It’s also important to distinguish grief for the grandparent from grief for the family wounds they were part of. Your sorrow is valid even if the relationship was complicated or painful. Pauline Boss’s theory of ambiguous loss helps us understand that when a loved one has harmed us, the loss is never clear-cut. It can feel unresolved and confusing.
Consider supplementing your funeral attendance with private rituals that honor your experience on your own terms. This might include writing a letter to your grandparent expressing both grief and disappointment, creating a personal memorial space, or engaging in a therapeutic session focused on this loss. For additional support navigating these layers of grief, my therapy services offer a trauma-informed space to hold your story fully.
If you’re managing estrangement or low-contact boundaries with your parents during this time, resources like this guide on attending funerals with estranged parents can provide practical strategies. Sometimes the challenge isn’t just the loss but how the family system activates old wounds in the funeral setting.
For more on navigating grief when the person who hurt you dies, see this article. It offers insights into how to process loss layered with trauma and betrayal.
Both/And: Your Grief Is Pure AND the Day Will Be Complicated
“The body keeps the score.”
Bessel van der Kolk, MD, psychiatrist and trauma researcher, author of The Body Keeps the Score
Jordan drives silently, her hands steady on the wheel. Her grandfather’s funeral is just ahead, a place where grief feels both clear and tangled. She mourns the safe, loving man who was her refuge. At the same time, she braces for her mother’s dramatic grief performance beside her, exhausting to witness, impossible to ignore.
Recognizing this duality gives you permission to feel what you feel without judgment. Your grief doesn’t have to be “clean” or “simple” to be authentic. The presence of difficult family members doesn’t diminish the love you had for your grandparent or the loss you’re experiencing.
In situations like Jordan’s, it’s essential to prepare clear boundaries ahead of time. Decide what you’re willing to tolerate and what crosses your line. You might say quietly to yourself or out loud, “I’m here to honor my grandfather. I will not engage in family drama.” This simple script can help maintain your emotional safety.
If you’re navigating attendance with parents who are difficult or toxic, consider practical strategies to protect yourself:
- Arrive with a trusted friend or ally who understands your family context.
- Plan brief, neutral responses to potential provocations, such as “I’m focusing on the funeral today.”
- Identify safe spaces at the venue where you can step away if overwhelmed.
- Set a time limit for your attendance to preserve your emotional stamina.
Remember, your presence at the funeral doesn’t require you to reconcile or engage beyond your comfort. If you’re no-contact or low-contact with your parents, attending doesn’t mean you have to lower your boundaries. For more on managing these boundaries, see Going No Contact: A Complete Guide and Attending a Funeral When Estranged from a Parent.
Holding these both/and truths, grief for your grandparent and the difficulty of the family dynamics present, can be a radical act of self-compassion. It honors the full reality of your experience without forcing false reconciliation or silence.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, consider reaching out for support. Professional therapy can help you process this complicated grief and prepare for family gatherings without sacrificing your wellbeing. You can learn more about supportive options at Therapy with Annie and explore trauma-informed coaching at Executive Coaching.
For further guidance on navigating grief when the person who hurt you dies, see Grief When the Person Who Hurt You Dies. Your grief is valid. Your boundaries are necessary. Holding both at once is your strength.
The Systemic Lens: Why Your Grandparent Knew the Truth
Gendered expectations also shape this experience. Women are often culturally tasked with maintaining family cohesion and emotional labor during funerals. For driven women navigating complicated family relationships, this expectation can feel like an unfair burden. You’re expected to perform grief and forgiveness on cue, even when your body and mind resist these demands.
Legal and financial considerations add another layer. Grandparents sometimes hold legal roles, executor of the estate, guardian, or mediator, that can entangle you in family conflicts after their death. The loss of your grandparent may trigger disputes or force contact with parents you’ve been avoiding, complicating your boundary-setting efforts.
Nothing was obviously wrong. Everything felt off.
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In the vignette of Jordan, driving to her grandfather’s funeral with her mother beside her, the systemic pressures are palpable. She balances her grief for a safe and loving man with managing her mother’s intense and performative mourning. This dual role highlights how family rituals can obscure your personal experience beneath others’ expectations.
| Systemic Pressure | Impact on Grief Experience | Possible Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Rituals | Pressure to perform public mourning and reconciliation | Set clear boundaries; plan exit strategies; prioritize self-care |
| Gendered Expectations | Emotional labor and caretaking roles increase stress | Delegate tasks; communicate limits; seek external support |
| Legal/Financial Roles | Potential forced contact with harmful parents; inheritance disputes | Consult legal advice; establish firm boundaries; prepare scripts |
| Family Narrative Control | Grandparent’s truth risks being erased or minimized | Honor memory privately; document your experience; seek validating community |
Understanding these systemic pressures helps clarify why your grandparent’s role as a witness was so vital, and why their death can feel like losing the last anchor of truth in a turbulent family sea. This loss is not only personal but systemic. It challenges the family’s official stories and the roles each member plays.
When attending a funeral complicated by difficult parents, prepare to navigate these layers with care. Scripts like “I’m here to honor my grandfather’s memory and will be stepping away if things become overwhelming” can help you assert boundaries without escalating conflict.
If you find yourself grappling with grief for a person who was a refuge amid family harm, and also managing the presence of those who caused that harm, know that this is a recognized and valid experience. Resources like the Betrayal Trauma Complete Guide and guidance on going no contact offer frameworks to support you.
Ultimately, your grandparent’s unique witness to your truth was a rare form of protection. Their passing invites a complex mourning process that intersects with family systems, cultural expectations, and your own healing journey. Recognizing this systemic lens helps you hold both your grief and your boundaries with clarity and compassion.
How to Honor Them in a Family That Can’t Hold That Honoring
Consider these practical steps to navigate the funeral day and beyond:
- Set clear boundaries. Decide in advance what interactions you can tolerate with your parents and other family members. Prepare simple scripts such as, “I’m here to honor my grandparent, not to discuss family issues.”
- Bring support. If possible, attend with a trusted friend or therapist who can provide emotional grounding and help you decompress afterward.
- Plan decompression time. Schedule quiet moments before and after the funeral to process your feelings in ways that feel safe, journaling, meditation, or simply being in nature.
- Use technology thoughtfully. If attending in person feels impossible, see if there’s a livestream option or plan a personal memorial at home to maintain connection on your terms.
Jordan’s experience illustrates this well. Driving to her grandfather’s funeral with her mother, she holds grief for the man she loved side-by-side with the exhaustion of managing her mother’s dramatic grief performance. Her loneliness is palpable, yet she finds small ways to honor her grandfather’s memory privately, recognizing that the family environment can’t hold her full truth.
Therapy can provide a vital container for this complex grief. If you’re seeking guidance, consider exploring trauma-informed approaches that respect your boundaries and validate the duality of your experience, grieving deeply while holding firm to your need for safety. You can learn more about trauma’s impact and healing strategies in my comprehensive guide to betrayal trauma.
For those navigating the tensions of family events, my article on attending funerals when estranged from parents offers practical frameworks to manage your presence and boundaries. It’s important to remember that choosing your safety and well-being is not a betrayal of your grandparent’s memory but an act of honoring them in the most authentic way you can.
May you find steady footing amid the complexity, and may your grief be met with the care it deserves.
If something in this piece landed, you don’t have to carry it alone. Many of the women I work with begin with one quiet step. Exploring free quiz. Before deciding what comes next.
Q: My grandparent was the only safe person in my family. How do I grieve them while managing my parents at the funeral?
A: When your grandparent was the sole safe person in a harmful family system, grief often feels doubled, both for the loss and for the safety that’s now gone. At the funeral, set clear boundaries to protect your emotional space. Consider identifying a trusted friend or ally who can support you during difficult moments. Prepare brief, neutral responses to parental provocations or intrusive questions to maintain your composure. Remember, honoring your grandparent’s memory doesn’t require engaging with toxic dynamics; your grief is valid regardless of the family drama around you.
Q: My grandparent was loving but didn’t protect me from my abusive parents. How do I grieve this complicated relationship?
A: Grieving a grandparent who loved you but didn’t shield you from abuse can stir mixed emotions, loss, longing, and even disappointment. It’s important to hold these feelings side by side without forcing resolution. Acknowledge the love you received while naming the absence of protection. This nuanced grief is legitimate and deserves space. Therapy or journaling can help unpack these layers, allowing you to honor the positive moments without minimizing the pain of what was missing.
Q: I have to attend my grandparent’s funeral but I’m no-contact with my parents. How do I handle this?
A: Navigating a funeral while maintaining no-contact boundaries with your parents is challenging but doable. Plan your arrival and departure to minimize overlap with them. Use physical distance or a private space to decompress if needed. Prepare brief, firm statements to uphold your boundaries if approached. Enlist support from other family members or friends who respect your limits. Prioritize your emotional safety, attending the funeral doesn’t mean you must engage with harmful dynamics.
Q: My parents are using my grandparent’s funeral to pressure me to reconcile with the family. What do I do?
A: Funerals can become emotional leverage points for family demands, but your healing and boundaries remain paramount. Recognize that pressure to reconcile is often more about their needs than yours. You can calmly assert that grief doesn’t erase past harm or obligate you to change your boundaries. It’s okay to say no or to postpone reconciliation until you feel safe and ready. Seek support from trusted allies or a therapist to reinforce your decisions and manage guilt or manipulation.
Q: Is it normal to feel like I’m grieving more than just my grandparent when they die?
A: Yes. When your grandparent was the only safe presence in a harmful family, their death often triggers grief for what they represented: safety, validation, and the last witness to your experience. This layered mourning is complex and can feel overwhelming. It’s not just about losing one person but the loss of a protective relationship and the safety net they provided. Acknowledge this “double grief” as real and allow yourself the time and space to process it fully.
Related Reading
- Doka, Kenneth J. Disenfranchised Grief: Recognizing Hidden Sorrow. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1989.
- Boss, Pauline. Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999.
- Klass, Dennis, Phyllis R. Silverman, and Steven L. Nickman, eds. Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of Grief. Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis, 1996.
- Shear, M. Katherine. “Complicated Grief.” The New England Journal of Medicine 372, no. 2 (2015): 153, 160.
- Wright, Annie. Betrayal Trauma: The Complete Guide.
References
Peer-Reviewed Research (Vancouver)
- van der Kolk BA, Wang JB, Yehuda R, Bedrosian L, Coker AR, Harrison C, et al. Effects of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD on self-experience. PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0295926. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0295926. PMID: 38198456.
- Porges SW. Polyvagal Theory: Current Status, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2025;22(3):169-184. doi:10.36131/cnfioritieditore20250301. PMID: 40735382.
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Annie Wright is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT #95719) and trauma-informed executive coach with over 15,000 clinical hours. She works with driven women. Including Silicon Valley leaders, physicians, and entrepreneurs. In repairing the psychological foundations beneath their impressive lives. Annie is the founder and former CEO of Evergreen Counseling, a multimillion-dollar trauma-informed therapy center she built, scaled, and successfully exited. A regular contributor to Psychology Today, her expert commentary has appeared in USA Today, Forbes, Business Insider, Inc., NBC, and The Information. She is currently writing her first book with W.W. Norton.
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