Limmud AZ 2019

Laurie Beth Morales has unusual insight into death and healing, as both a mother and a licensed clinical social worker specializing in grief, trauma and sudden death. She introduces an alternative yet complimentary perspective and understanding to the 5 stages of grief, developed by her own experiences and through her practice with others through trauma and grief. Over the past 25 years of counseling, Laurie Beth discovered that grief from trauma is experienced differently, as the "normal" order of the lifespan has been interrupted. This complimentary model of the five stages of grief will provide a framework to understand what happens to us when we encounter an unwanted, unexpected reality. 

Laurie Beth has a psychotherapy practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded the Scottsdale Center for Palliative Counseling, and is a preferred provider for the states of Arizona and Colorado in providing trauma therapy. Laurie Beth also serves as a resource for the national organization, Parents of Murdered Children, working with affected families and communities from across the country, including Columbine and the 2017 Las Vegas strip massacre. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Masters of Social Work from Arizona State University and is nationally certificated in treating addictions. Since she has decided to tell her story publicly, she has appeared on Dr. Phil, has a top-ranking mental health podcast with Psych Sessions and her recent book Bulletproof has changed the way we think about the process of grief and teaches us this invaluable concept; Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.