About Dr. Dawn Higgins, PhD
In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, Dr. Dawn M. Higgins has become one of the leading experts in the field of grief and loss counseling. In addition to a private practice Dr. Higgins has become one of the field’s most sought after speakers, specializing in topics such as Guidance Through Grief,Developing Healthy Relationships, Coping with the Aspects of Divorce, Grief and Loss in the Work Place and Grief and Loss after Brain Injury.
Living and working in the Washington, DC area when the tragedy of 9/11 occurred, Dr. Higgins was called upon by the media as an expert on grief and loss, particularly in the areas concerning children and adolescents. Recently, Dr. Higgins completed a dissertation study exploring the world-view of young adults who were adolescents when their parent died on September 11, 2001. She interviewed young adults to explore how losing a parent in the worst terrorist attacks in American history shaped who they are today.
Another area of expertise for Dawn has been individuals living with a traumatic brain injury. In June, 2004, she presented her model of psychotherapy at the International Conference for the Advancement of Private Practice in Social Work. Dr. Higgins conducted a study that was privately funded, testing her model of therapy in the Spring of 2004. The initial findings of the study show that this model of therapy reduces levels of anxiety and depression for the traumatic brain injured individual. Dr. Higgins has spoken at the Brain Injury Association’s annual conference for 3 consecutive years.
Presently, Dr. Higgins holds a Masters and PhD in Social Work from The Catholic University of America. Her dissertation explored the worldview of young adults who lost a parent in 9/11 during adolescence. Dr. Higgins is an adjunct professor at George Mason's School of Social Work and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. In 2001, Dr. Higgins wrote a workbook titled "Language of Loss: A workbook to guide you through your grief."
A Note from the Founder:
The death of a parent is always too soon no matter how old we are. I lost my Dad when I was 13 and what I learned from him while he was on earth, had to be enough to guide me throughout my life. One thing that gave me a sense of comfort and support was when I would meet someone who had lost a parent; there seemed to be an instant connection, an unspoken understanding.
After working with families who have had a loss and and having lost my Dad at a young age, I decided to create Life Shines On. I hope that this organization offers a supportive community to those whose parent has died. I believe we all can find a strength inside the pain. This was certainly affirmed for me when I interviewed the young adults who were teens when their parent died on 9/ll. During one interview, a young girl told me that when she read the poet, Robert Frost's quote, "Life Goes On", it made sense to her. I found it ironic that Frost had lost his father when he was very young. While I understand and have observed "life going on" after a death, I like to believe that what really happens is that those who have died "shine on" in their children who are here on earth. In my work with adolescents and families, I have observed that many think that their parent is watching over them. Josh, who was 12 when his father died in the World Trade Center told me, "I think in every aspect he's watching me and I just really to try make him proud." Maybe that's what makes the stars shine brightly.
Thank you for supporting Life Shines On...
Dawn Higgins, PhD
