The First Time I Brought Grief Into a Classroom
Why community education feels like service in this season of my work
Holding Grief in Public Space
The first time I taught grief in a public setting, I felt my shoulders rise.
Not from fear — but from reverence.
Grief is sacred territory.
And yet, it is universal.
We lose parents. Partners. Siblings. Cherished pets.
We navigate divorce, caregiving burnout, retirement, relocation, identity shifts.
And still, many people don’t have accessible spaces to explore grief outside of therapy.
That realization is what led me to offer two Spring Term classes through Portland Community College.
Grief doesn’t only belong in therapy offices. It belongs in community.
Why a Classroom?
Not everyone wants a grief circle.
Not everyone is ready for grief coaching online or a grief healing retreat.
Sometimes people want structure.
Affordability.
Education.
A shared learning environment.
Teaching through PCC allows trauma informed grief support and somatic grief healing practices to reach a broader community — including caregivers, younger adults navigating social grief, and those curious about healing but unsure where to begin.
If you’re curious about how I approach body based grief healing in community settings, you can read more about the support I offer here — simply to explore.
Gardening for Presence and Healing
April 11 – May 16 | Online
This class uses the garden as metaphor.
Less about horticultural perfection.
More about tending the self.
We blend mindfulness, somatic awareness, and reflection to explore how growth happens slowly — and often invisibly.
For those navigating life transitions, gardening becomes nervous-system practice.
Slowness.
Attention.
Rhythm.
Sometimes that is where grief and trauma healing begins.
Writing Through Loss for Healing
April 26 – June 7 | Online
This class offers structured, guided support for exploring grief through memoir writing.
We ground before we write.
We approach memory gently.
We prioritize safety over productivity.
Story becomes a bridge — helping experiences move from unprocessed sensation into meaning.
Widening the Doorway
Over the past year, my work has deepened.
Integrating somatic practices, mindfulness, and grief education into a cohesive approach to grief and trauma healing.
Offering these classes feels less like expansion for visibility — and more like widening the doorway.
Some people need a classroom.
Some need a circle.
Some need soil.
Some need story.
No pressure. No urgency.
Just exploration.
For now, maybe the question isn’t:
“What should I sign up for?”
Maybe it’s:
What kind of space would feel steady right now?
If you’re navigating loss, change, or identity shifts and wondering what kind of support fits your season — you’re welcome to begin with a quiet conversation here.
Dawn M. Geoppinger, Trauma-Informed Grief & Embodiment Coach
Dawn M. Geoppinger is a Trauma-Informed Grief & Embodiment Coach based in Portland, Oregon, with a strong foundation of over two decades of professional experience in public administration, education, and the nonprofit sector. She specializes in grief education, somatic movement, breathwork, and mindfulness, integrating evidence-based approaches such as somatic practices, post-traumatic growth and woman-centered principles to help clients reconnect with themselves, regulate their nervous systems, and honor the full spectrum of loss and healing. Through her practice, The Embodied Grief Journey™, Dawn provides compassionate, expert support both in person and online—creating safe, nurturing spaces for individuals to explore grief, resilience, and embodied healing.
