Welcome

Dear Gentle Reader,

For years, I have been thinking about this first post—how to begin a conversation in a space so deeply tied to what breaks our hearts, but also what helps us keep going.

Welcome to Mastering Being Broken, a place born from the quiet corners of therapy rooms, from midnight journaling, from unanswered prayers and hard-earned hope. As a grief and trauma therapist for the past 20+ years, I’ve had the sacred privilege of sitting with people in their most vulnerable moments. I’ve witnessed love in its fiercest form—when it aches, when it disappears, when it returns in dreams or memories, or when it reshapes itself into something we carry forward.

This site is an offering. A gathering space. A place where we honor the wounds we’d rather hide, and explore how healing doesn’t always mean fixing—but sometimes simply making room for what is.

Here, I’ll be sharing reflections, poems, journaling prompts, resources, and stories from my own journey—because like you, I am not untouched by grief. I know what it means to lose someone before you’re ready. I know how silence can stretch across years, how trauma can confuse even the kindest of hearts, and how, sometimes, just breathing is an act of courage.

While this space is deeply informed by my experience as a therapist, please know that Mastering Being Broken is not a substitute for therapy. Nothing here is meant to take the place of the safety, support, and individualized care that working with a trusted mental health professional can provide. Think of this as a companion to your healing—not the destination, but a rest stop along the way.

Whether your grief is brand new or years old, whether you're a fellow therapist, a survivor, a seeker, or someone just trying to make sense of the world after loss—you are welcome here.

I hope this space feels like a soft landing. A place of permission. A place to be exactly where you are.

If something here speaks to you, I invite you to subscribe, share a post with someone who might need it, or simply return when you need a moment of comfort. I’m so glad you’re here.

With care and deep respect,

Lee Erickson, MA, LPCC

Founder of Mastering Being Broken

www.masteringbeingbroken.com