Tom Lyman sits down with Oregon-based counselor Amber Sirstad for a candid conversation about grief, mental health, and the quiet strength of simply showing up for someone in pain. Amber shares why she chose counseling, how silence can become a turning point in healing, and why you don’t need the “perfect words” to support someone who’s grieving.
They unpack what grief really looks like over time, including anger at God, triggers around holidays, and the reality that loss doesn’t vanish. Amber talks about her own health journey, losing her grandparents, and how lived experience can deepen empathy without turning pain into performance. The conversation also tackles practical steps for getting help, even when you don’t have money, and how to find safe people by testing trust with small things first.
If you’re carrying grief, anxiety, or a season of heaviness, this episode offers permission to reach out, slow down, and let someone sit with you in the dark without rushing the process.
Who is one safe person you can take a first step toward today?
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