Short & Long Bios
Short Bio
Dr. Erica Sirrine, PhD, LCSW, FT is a grief therapist, speaker, researcher, and author whose work centers around helping individuals and professionals navigate loss with compassion, honesty, and connection. Through her writing, speaking, trainings, and clinical work, Erica explores the deeply human experience of grief, meaning-making, and continuing bonds after loss. She is the author of the upcoming book Mending the Grieving Heart: Compassionate Approaches to Support Loved Ones Through Loss and the children’s book Sammy’s Story.
Long Bio
Dr. Erica Sirrine, PhD, LCSW, FT, is a psychotherapist, researcher, and author with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals and families impacted by illness, death, loss, and grief. She has been designated as a Fellow in Thanatology by the Association for Death Education and Counseling and serves as the Director of Social Work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Sirrine has been featured in major publications such as Time, Psychology Today, Medscape, and Everyday Health. She frequently presents trainings and workshops on grief and grief counseling to help individuals and professionals approach grief with greater compassion, honesty, and connection. Known for her ability to blend academic depth with warmth and approachability, Dr. Sirrine creates spaces where grief can be explored openly rather than avoided. Through her clinical work, writing, and teaching, she strives to help others feel less alone as they navigate the complexities of loss and grief.
Published Books
Mending the Grieving Heart: Compassionate Approaches to Support Loved Ones Through Loss
A compassionate guide exploring how individuals, families, clinicians, and communities can better support those navigating grief and loss.
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Publisher: Bridge City Books
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Publication date: August 4, 2026
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Available: Amazon
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Sammy's Story
A children’s book written to help families navigate conversations surrounding serious illness, death, and grief through the story of a young girl whose father is diagnosed with end-stage cancer.
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Publisher: Book Baby
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Available: Amazon
Speaking & Trainings Topics
Grief, Loss & Meaning-Making
Exploring the deeply human experience of grief, loss, and the ways individuals make meaning and maintain connection after loss.
Supporting Loved Ones Through Grief
Compassionate approaches for supporting grieving family members, friends, clients, patients, and communities through seasons of loss.
Continuing Bonds After Loss
Understanding the ongoing relationship many individuals maintain with loved ones after death and how these bonds can support healing and connection.
Grief in Children & Adolescents
Developmentally supportive approaches for helping children and teens navigate illness, death, grief, and major life transitions.
Anticipatory Grief
Navigating the grief that comes before the death or significant loss event with compassion, sensitivity, and understanding.
Compassion Fatigue & Professional Resilience for Clinicians
Supporting clinicians, caregivers, educators, and helping professionals who regularly hold grief, trauma, and emotional pain in their work.
Available Formats
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Keynote Speaking
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Workshops & Trainings
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Clinical Education
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Conference Presentations
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University Guest Lectures
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Podcast Interviews
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Panel Discussions
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Virtual & In-Person Events
Trainings and presentations can be adapted for clinicians, healthcare professionals, educators, students, organizations, faith communities, and general audiences.
