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 grief therapist, speaker, researcher, and author whose work focuses on grief, loss, meaning-making, and the enduring impact of human connection. With a background in both clinical practice and grief research, Erica is passionate about helping individuals, families, clinicians, and communities approach grief with greater compassion, honesty, and understanding.
As a Fellow in Thanatology (FT), Erica’s work bridges research, education, and lived human experience. She has provided trainings, workshops, and speaking engagements centered around grief support and counseling, continuing bonds, anticipatory grief, and compassionate care for bereaved individuals and families. Her writing and teaching are known for balancing academic depth with warmth, accessibility, and relational presence.
Erica is the author of the upcoming book Mending the Grieving Heart: Compassionate Approaches to Support Loved Ones Through Loss, releasing in August 2026. She also previously authored Sammy’s Story, a children’s book designed to help families navigate conversations surrounding serious illness, death, and grief through developmentally supportive storytelling.
Through her clinical work, speaking, writing, and trainings, Erica hopes to create spaces where grief can be approached with gentleness rather than avoidance, and where people feel less alone navigating the complexity of loss.
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.
