As National Grief Awareness Day on Aug. 30 approaches, trauma expert Judith A. Swack, Ph.D., is shedding light on why some individuals remain trapped in grief long after a loss. According to Dr. Swack, whose book "Clear Trauma Now: The Powerful Solution for Getting Unstuck" was recently named the 2026 Silver Medal Winner for Grief Books by the Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR), unresolved trauma can prevent people from accessing joyful memories of their loved ones. Instead, reminders of the deceased automatically trigger the pain of the moment of death or departure.
Dr. Swack explains that during a traumatic loss, the body's fight-flight-freeze response becomes conditioned to remember and react to anything associated with that event, causing people to repeatedly relive the shock. Healing begins by calming this trauma response so the nervous system no longer reacts as though the loss is happening in the present. She shares five first steps toward healing:
1. Separate the trauma from the person you loved. Many grieving people fear that letting go of the trauma will sever their connection to the deceased. Dr. Swack asserts the opposite is true: trauma can become fused with the memory of a loved one, making every remembrance painful. Healing the trauma allows positive memories and gratitude to return without losing the relationship.
2. Identify the "hidden layers" beneath grief. Grief is rarely just sadness. Dr. Swack's research indicates that loss trauma often includes shock, fear, anger, hurt, guilt, shame, and helplessness.
3. Listen for limiting beliefs created by the loss. Traumatic loss can leave unconscious conclusions such as "It's my fault," "People always leave me," "I can't trust anyone," "Who will take care of me?" or "I'm powerless." These beliefs can affect relationships, work, and self-confidence long after the loss, but recognizing them is a crucial step toward healing.
4. Pay attention to feelings of emptiness. A deep sense of emptiness or a "hole" in the chest or stomach is a hallmark of unresolved loss trauma. People often try to fill this void with work, food, relationships, or compulsive behaviors. Acknowledging that the emptiness is part of the trauma response can guide individuals toward healthier healing methods.
5. Recognize that healing trauma is not about forgetting or "moving on." A major barrier to recovery is the fear that healing means leaving a loved one behind. Resolving trauma surrounding a loss does not erase the relationship; instead, it allows individuals to stop reliving the worst moment and begin remembering the love, joy, and meaning that preceded the loss.
"Healing trauma at all levels allows people to easily recall special memories of loving connection and appreciate the ways in which their lives were enriched by having known that person," Dr. Swack says. Her book details practices from her Healing from the Body Level Up™ (HBLU™) methodology, a comprehensive system designed to clear trauma at the conscious, unconscious, body, and soul levels.
To support those seeking help, Dr. Swack will present a "Clear Trauma Now Live Healing" webinar on Thursday evenings in September: Sept. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sept. 10, 17, and 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. EDT. Participants can experience trauma healing in real time and learn self-healing techniques. For details, visit hblu.org/live-healing-experience.
Dr. Swack is a biochemist, immunologist, and originator of the HBLU™ methodology. She combines scientific research with decades of clinical experience to help individuals resolve trauma, anxiety, and chronic conditions, often in just a few sessions. She trains professionals worldwide and works with clients who have not found success with traditional approaches. More information is available at HBLU.org.
