Shirley A. Brogan, MA, LPC is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Michigan. She has been practicing in the field of mental health counseling for 18 years, with focus on grief and loss issues following the death of a loved one, change-in-life transitions, such as post-parenting, or retirement, and relationship issues. She also works with families to understand how addiction impacts their lives, and what they can do to support someone’s recovery.
Ms. Brogan is employed with Maximum Living Consultants, Inc., in Clarkston, MI, where she works with bereavement programs offered through funeral homes in Michigan and out of state. She is a part-time instructor at Wayne State University, in Detroit, teaching the psychology of death and dying to mortuary students.
Ms. Brogan received her Masters Degree in Counseling from Oakland University, Rochester, MI, and her undergraduate degree from Albion College, Albion, MI.
Ms. Brogan began her work in grief and loss by facilitating a support group. She believes, like many others in the field, that talking about one’s loss and exploring the thoughts and feelings that come up around a changed life are vital to healing and moving on.
“The thoughts and feelings grief produces are unique to every individual, and so is the time it takes to move through the grief journey. But often, like when we take a road trip, having a map or tips from others who made the journey before us can make travel easier. We feel more confident as we go.
“Talking to a counselor, or attending a support group can help us learn what is natural to experience on our grief journey, as well as provide companionship, understanding and inspiration.”
Ms. Brogan reports that she is “an orphan. Both my parents are deceased. Even though I function well as a middle-aged adult, there are times when I miss talking to my mom and dad.” She has also experienced the death of a sibling.
Ms. Brogan is a member of the American Counseling Association and its state organization, the Michigan Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association and its state organization, Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association, and is a former executive board member of MMHCA. She served on behalf of MCA and her profession on the Michigan Health Professional Recovery Program Committee. She is also a member of NACoA, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
She has presented workshops on grief and loss to church and community groups, including Stephen Ministry, a faith-based peer support program.
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