106: Reaching For Beautiful - A Mother's Journey: Love, Grief, and Healing with Sally McQuillen

In this deeply moving episode of the Heart-Centered Therapist Podcast, Sindee Gozansky sits down with psychotherapist and author Sally McQuillen to talk about love, loss, and what it means to keep going. Sally opens up about her heartbreaking journey of tragically losing her son, Christopher, and how that experience shaped her as both a mother and a therapist.

Sally’s new memoir, Reaching for Beautiful, is raw, honest, and full of hard-won wisdom—and this conversation brings that same depth. From addiction recovery and parenting a neurodivergent child to writing through grief and finding healing in unexpected places, Sally shares what it’s really like to live with profound loss while still holding on to love and meaning.

💛 Whether you're walking through your own grief, supporting others in theirs, or simply want to hear a story of resilience and love, this episode will stay with you.

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro
Sindee introduces Sally and sets the tone for a vulnerable and powerful conversation.

00:17 – Meet Sally & Her New Book
Sally shares how Reaching for Beautiful came to be, and what it was like to write about such personal pain.

01:40 – Losing Christopher
The moment that changed everything—Sally reflects on the devastating loss of her son and the early days of grief.

02:33 – Trauma, Grief & Therapy
They dive into the layers of trauma and how it shows up differently for everyone—especially when you're also a therapist.

07:35 – Who Christopher Was
Sally paints a picture of Christopher’s life—his humor, his struggles, and the love they shared.

10:37 – Parenting with ADHD in the Mix
A raw look at the challenges and exhaustion of raising a child with ADHD, while navigating the school system and stigma.

15:23 – Grief & the Work We Do
How grief reshaped Sally’s work as a therapist—and what she learned about holding space for others while healing herself.

27:26 – The Loneliness of Loss
Sally speaks to the deep loneliness that can come with grief, even when you're surrounded by people.

28:19 – Leading with Compassion
They talk about how grief can break down emotional walls—and open us up to deeper compassion and connection.

34:16 – Parenting While Grieving
Sally shares what it’s like to keep showing up as a parent, even when your heart is shattered.

40:40 – Writing as a Lifeline
The process of writing the book became a healing journey in itself—Sally explains how putting her story on paper helped her process.

46:17 – Staying Connected
How Sally still feels connected to Christopher, and the small moments that bring comfort.

49:19 – Words for the Grieving
Sally offers heartfelt advice for anyone navigating grief—whether you’re a therapist, a parent, or just trying to find your footing.

 

Connect with Sally:
www.sallymcquillen.com

Book:
https://a.co/d/hhB3i9L

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