Beyond the Crisis: Holding Space After Tragedy with Dr. Tom DeMaria

📘 Episodic Synopsis

In this episode, Dr. Joey Weisler is joined by nationally recognized trauma expert Dr. Tom DeMaria to explore what it really means to support students and educators through loss. Drawing on decades of experience responding to crises like 9/11, Sandy Hook, and Parkland, Dr. DeMaria offers powerful insight into how grief shows up in schools—and how we can meet it with compassion, clarity, and care. As a senior consultant with the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB), Dr. DeMaria shares proven strategies for creating emotionally safe spaces and helping school communities heal. Together, they unpack the difference between trauma and grief, the emotional ripple effects of tragedy, and what it takes to build communities that don't just survive crisis—but grow through it.

Free tools for educators:

• National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
• Coalition to Support Grieving Students