|
Marcia Breitenbach is an author, psychotherapist, speaker, teacher, songwriter and devoted mother living in Tucson, Arizona. She specializes in the field of grief and loss, transformation and change, and the utilization of the creative arts therapies in the healing process. She has gained great compassion and skills from experiencing life-changing losses as well as from working with others who are faced with difficult life challenges.
Marcia's Background in Death, Dying, Grief and Loss
Working
in the field of death and dying and grief and loss opened wonderful doors
to healing and spiritual growth for Marcia. People have asked her over the
years, "How can you do such work, isn't it totally depressing?" She answers, "Not
at all, this work has changed my life by allowing me to have a deeper appreciation
for each day that I am here, for all my blessings, and brings me great joy
and satisfaction."
Marcia has worked with grief and loss personally and professionally since l986. She had just finished a Master's Degree in Movement Psychotherapy from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado when she experienced three major losses: her mother's death, a life-threatening and traumatic sexual assault, and the death of her sister. She found herself struggling with painful emotions and experiences that left her without a map or structure for healing her grief and loss.
Thanks to her work in the expressive arts training at Naropa, her connection with a Unity Church, lots of personal therapy, and the power of healing music, she was able to turn these three powerful transforming events into a catalyst for redefining herself in positive ways.
The field of death, dying, grief and loss became a place for her to grow and expand her intuitive and holistic therapeutic style. Although she worked as Bereavement Coordinator for two hospices, she now conducts workshops and has a private practice that focuses on change, grief and loss and transformation and the use of expressive arts in therapy.
Pet Loss Support Group
Marcia has facilitated support groups for those grieving the loss of a pet or animal companion. These groups utilize a whole person approach: strengthening, balancing and integrating spirit, mind, body and heart.
Marcia believes strongly that our animal companions can be powerful healers for grief and loss. She used to take one of her rescued dachshunds, Betsy, to a nursing home each week to do pet therapy. Betsy could do more in one lick or touch than all the words on this website. Marcia feels that animals are great spiritual beings disguised in furry or feathery bodies who have come to teach us many important lessons about love and living life.
Click here to learn more about Pet Loss
The Lighten Up Club
Marcia has been known to put on silly hats, colorful wigs and scarves and go out into public "to have fun and to laugh." She and a woman from her breast cancer group started "The Lighten Up Club". The power of humor in strengthening the immune system has been documented and it is also an important element for having a balanced lifestyle.
Marcia's Music
Through her own trauma and healing journey, music began to pour from Marcia. "I don't really have to do much, it just comes through me," she says of the writing process. "Often the words pop into my head and I have to rush for pencil and paper...the music usually follows. I don't sit down to try and write a song. They write me, so to speak." Marcia began sharing her music with others, especially when she began working with grief and loss.
It's
been 9 l/2 years since my Robert left this world. What a relief
to get your book! I would advise anyone who has experienced
a significant loss not to go through the grief process without your
book and music; they have truly been a life saver. Every word
rings true and is a valuable signpost on the road to healing. I
will always be grateful for the courage, compassion, inspiration, wisdom,
beauty, generosity of spirit, creativity and humor that you have given
to the world in your work.
-
Ella Gregory, New York
Marcia's
Seminars
In addition to her counseling practice in Tucson, music and writing, Marcia presents
experiential workshops and seminars on topics related to change,
grief, loss and healing. She delights in these presentations and
tailors them to each organization's needs.
Acknowledgments
Marcia is grateful for the inspiring artwork provided by her daughter
Alice Glasser. Marcia would also like to acknowledge Michael
Ives and Agnes Paulsen for their artwork on her book covers.
|
