Counseling

Medicine for the soul is as important as medicine for the body during the final stages of life.

As people approach the end of life, the most prominent changes are emotional rather than physical. Living with a serious illness that will become terminal is incredibly distressing. Navigating complex feelings related to a serious illness, including grief, anxiety, depression, and existential concerns can be overwhelming. Not addressing one’s emotional wellbeing decreases quality of life and often leads to poor health outcomes. However, the opposite is true that if your emotional wellbeing is cared for during the final stages of life then you will have greater peace and the journey will be less painful for everyone, including loved ones.

Our professionals have years of experience to help you and your loved ones address the varying emotions felt throughout the end of life journey and navigate the complexities of the final stages of life.

Meet Our Team

Dr. Bob

Bob Uslander, MD

Co-Founder, Medical Director
With over 30 years of experience as a physician in emergency medicine, palliative care, and end of life care, Dr. Bob supports families through major health and life challenges. Dr. Bob knows the intricacies of family dynamics and is sensitive enough to help make important decisions.
Elizabeth-Uslander-Spiritual-Emotional-Care

Elizabeth Uslander

Co-Founder and CEO
With extensive advanced education and training in social work and spiritual care, Elizabeth is multilingual and combines a unique blend of psychology, philosophy, and spiritual practices, that support healing as she walks families through life’s major transitions.

Healthcare Navigation

Through decades of experience supporting families in navigating complex and terminal illnesses we have come to realize that what the current healthcare system offers is woefully inadequate. That’s why we offer personalized 24/7 support for families. A team of experts is available to answer your pressing questions as you navigating the journey alongside your loved one.

Learn More About Healthcare Navigation

We also offer our unique physician-led advance directive end of life planning. Our approach goes beyond the standard medical model’s version. In each session, a physician will do an extensive exploration of your life experiences, goals, wishes, resources, needs, and interests; facilitate communication with and understanding of family members regarding your wishes; and complete the necessary documentation through our proprietary HIPAA-compliant process that results in a highly detailed Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) and videos articulating and confirming the documented wishes.

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Bereavement

Grief is a natural and important process because it’s how we begin to make sense of losing someone we love. You will often feel a mix of emotions such as immense sadness, regret, disbelief, loneliness. Taking time to honor your feelings, lean into others for support, and get support you need are the first steps to unpacking the emotions and beginning the healing journey. You are not alone. Our experienced team of professionals know exactly what you are experiencing and know how to hold your hand through the process.

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Support Groups

Medical Aid in Dying Preparation Group

Free

A place for patients and loved ones to explore the unique experience surrounding Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), and receive expert guidance and support in their end of life journey

If you or a loved one are considering or pursuing MAiD, being well-prepared by understanding the process, and exploring the practical, emotional and spiritual nuances can be vital to ensuring a peaceful, dignified experience for all parties involved.

The goal of this group is to ensure those who are considering Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), and their loved ones, have access to the information, resources and support they need to ensure an Empowered End of Life Experience. The group is facilitated by trained, experienced and knowledgeable practitioners (MAiD specialists) who offer compassionate, supportive care and information about the before, during and after process of MAiD.

In this group, experienced guides explore the MAiD process, common themes and experiences, the different types of support available, and various ways to prepare. Periodically guest speakers, including healthcare providers and end of life practitioners with experience, as well as those who have lost a loved one through the MAiD process, are invited to share the wisdom of their experience with the group. Outcomes include understanding, connection in community, and supportive resources throughout the process and beyond.

Contact Us to Explore this Group Support
 

Medical Aid in Dying Bereavement Group

Free

A place for bereaved loved ones to explore the complexity and nuance of losing someone to Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), with expert guidance and support in their grief journey.

Supporting a loved one through Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) is a brave and vulnerable choice. If you have lost a loved one through MAiD, you may be facing a complex mix of thoughts and emotions. Some may be helpful and healing, while others may be painful or confusing. You are not alone. Although every grief journey is unique, there are threads of commonality that unite those who share their experiences with others.

The goal of this group is to community and support healing for those who have lost a loved one through the MAiD process. The group is facilitated by trained, experienced and knowledgeable end of life and grief practitioners (MAiD specialists) who provide compassionate, supportive care as they walk with group members through their grief journeys. Outcomes include a sense of belonging in a community of people with shared experiences, understanding your grief experience, and feeling well-supported in navigating it.

Logistics: This group is offered for free via Zoom on every Monday at 6:00 pm PT

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Transition Circle: Creating Meaningful Rituals for Coping with Loss

Free

This is a support group for anyone navigating grief due to a death or loss.

The purpose of this support group is to offer you an opportunity to pause, honor, and process the impact of the loss you experienced.

The facilitator will focus primarily on the use of breath work, movement, storytelling and creating meaningful ritual as tools for supporting you in your grief process.

  • Breath work: Practice breath work as a simple grounding exercise when navigating grief
    Movement: Identify various forms of movement or embodied practices that you can implement to assist you in processing grief
  • Storytelling:kj Explore methods and modes of storytelling (i.e. oral, written, art, etc.) as a helpful exercises for expressing your grief experience
  • Ritual: Learn tools and resources for creating ritual or ceremony that honors your grief experience in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

While each meeting will include prompts and exercises for group reflection, engagement and/or discussion, sharing is always optional, never required.

Logistics: This group is held virtually via Zoom once a month every 2nd Tuesday from 7:00-8:15 pm PT starting September 10th.

Please email Krista Messam at reservedground@gmail.com to register and receive the zoom link.

Bob and Elizabeth are just very gentle souls. There was no pressure and shared with my wife Rachel and I the many options you have to consider. It felt just like someone putting their arms around you.

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[Dr. Bill Parker]

For us as a family, Bob and Elizabeth gave us the tranquility and support that we needed at that moment. It made a total difference in the way my Dad passed away. It allowed me to be the daughter and not a nurse.

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[Eva Goldstein]