Recent Stories

Mother died while son was driving

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | June 30, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, Thirteen years ago I experienced a seizure while driving.  My mother was killed in the accident.  I had an extremely close relationship with my mother.  I continue to feel guilty and struggle to make sense of this tragedy. Phil Dear Phil, Your tragic story, summarized vividly in so few words, conveys the catastrophic […]

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My husband’s daughter accused him of molesting her

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | June 23, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My husband passed away suddenly and unexpectedly over two years ago. I am in a lot of emotional pain, but that’s not why I am writing. Three decades ago my husband’s daughter accused him of molesting her; this recollection had come to her, she said, during a course of psychotherapy. He said […]

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Mom has turned bedroom into a shrine to my departed father…

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | June 16, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My question is regarding my mother.   We lost my father very unexpectedly this past summer, and she is having a very hard time with his loss, as we all are.  My question is this: Is it good for her to have her bedroom looking like a shrine to him, so that whenever […]

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I found my dad’s body on Father’s Day

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | June 9, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear. Dr. Neimeyer, Do you think that because I  found my dad’s body a few hours after a normal visit that could be a reason I’m having such a difficult time now with his death? Today is five months and I can’t stop crying. I lost my dad on Father’s Day and it was so unexpected. […]

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My Gay Daughter Took Her Own Life – Gay Pride Month

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | June 2, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My only child, my 16 year old daughter, took her own life just one month ago.  She showed no signs at all.  Straight A student, worked as cashier part time, saving money for college.  She just finished her College Boards and got an amazing score.  I know this wasn’t planned–she had placed orders […]

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Advice for a daughter who lost her soldier husband

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | May 26, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My 23 year old daughter lost her husband two years ago. He was a soldier and her high school sweetheart. He was killed in a car accident on a military base. She is so lost and devastated. She feels like she has lost her identity and has questioned everything in life now. […]

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What to say to a grieving friend

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | May 19, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, I have a friend who recently had a tragic loss, but I find myself uncertain about what to say to her. I don’t want to intrude. What is the best thing to say to someone who is bereaved? Laurie Dear Laurie, In Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path describes the attitudes and behaviors […]

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Experiencing the presence of a deceased loved one

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | May 12, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, I’d like to ask him if some way people that pass ever come back, or when their body leaves but does the spirit stay? My only son died in May, and last night I heard him call me and I answered. Sandy Dear Sandy– Throughout recorded history and across a great many […]

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My Mother Died: Which Mother am I Writing To?

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | May 5, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, I’ve been a fan of AfterTalk and your column for some time. I have used “Private Conversations” to talk with my deceased father for years. My mother died two weeks ago. I am starting to gel my “Conversations”  to my mother in my head. Here’s the rub, and the challenge: Which Mother […]

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Her mother died suddenly

By Dr. Robert Neimeyer | April 28, 2025 | 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, I am a marriage and family therapist with a 55 year old female client who is the only surviving member of her family  Her mother died suddenly and unexpectedly last year and she’s given up all her many interests.  She is full of anxiety and fear–seems agoraphobic–having panic attacks and hot flashes […]

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