"Remember a time … feeling as though a train has roared through your heart, splitting it into a million pieces. Feeling as though happiness is a complete luxury that you will never be able to afford again, when everything that you breathe, feel, sleep, dream and think is grief and pain. It covers you like a shroud … it invades your lungs and your brain and your bones and your joints. It makes you feel completely alone. And suddenly you see a break in the bleakness, almost like sunshine, or you hear a small peaceful song … that is my definition of the Wendt Center and their staff."
—Wendt Center Client
Welcome
With nationally recognized expertise in grief, trauma and mental health, the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing helps adults and children in the Greater Washington region rebuild a sense of safety and hope after experiencing a loss, life-threatening illness, violence or other trauma.
The Wendt Center is a premier resource for restoring hope and healthy functioning to adults, teens and children who are coping with grief, loss and trauma. We provide mental health counseling, training and education, crisis response and case management services to ease the impact of illness, loss, and traumatic events. We respect individuals and their experiences, understand the pain of loss and trauma, and support people in their healing journey.
The Wendt Center understands the need to reach out for help when the stress associated with illness, traumatic events or life threatening illness is overwhelming. We also understand that not everyone has the means to pursue professional or peer assistance and people often feel lost among the countless support options now available. We have created this web site in an attempt to provide useful, practical and accessible information for those interested in learning more about the process of healing.
Finding Help and Resources to Cop
e in the Aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy
The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School is prompting millions across the nation to seek solace, information, and resources to help adults and children cope with their reactions to this traumatic event. The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing has gathered practical tips and information (click the links below) to help and to guide people in finding out more. As an affiliate member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the Wendt Center accesses additional information and resources and welcomes further inquiries.
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• Talking to children about the shooting
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• Helping young children heal after a shooting
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• Parents guidelines for helping teens after an attack
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• Psychological Information Sheets (2)
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• How to talk to kids about tragedy
For additional resources please click here.
SAVE THE DATE!
2013 Voices of Now Ensemble
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and Arena Stage's Community Engagement Division are honored to invite you to be our guest at this year's Voices of Now Forum. Monday, May 20, 2013 6:00 - 8:00 pm. For more information click here.
Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp
Erin 2013
Friday, June 21 - Sunday, June 23, 2013
Download the 2013 Volunteer/Camper Flyer
We are still accepting Camper
Applications. Hurry space is limited!
2013 Annual Butterfly Release
Saturday, June 8, 2013 2:00pm - 5:00pm
If you would like to purchase a butterfly or attend our 2013 Annual Butterfly Release click here. To learn more about this event contact Kecia Hill at 202.204.5025 or email khill@wendtcenter.org.
Grief Therapy Groups
Enroll Now!! Most of the groups are ongoing for all ages. For more information click here or contact our Intake Coordinator at 202-204-5021.
News and Events
What It's Like to be a Grief Counselor
Click here to hear 
Rashida Clegg, LICSW talk with a reporter from the Washington Post about being a counselor at the Wendt Center's Southeast Office.
Wendt Center Staff and Former Clients Featured in the Washington Post
Wendt Center counselors and former clients Cindi Day and Tai-Vaughn Moore were featured in an article entitled "Adjusting to a life that includes grief." (Washington Post "Health and Science Section" Tuesday, January 15, 2013.)
Click here to read the article.
Wendt's Director Interviewed on FOX 5 NEWS About Sandy Hook
Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of the Wendt Center was interviewed on FOX 5 News about the Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Click here to watch the interview.
United Way and CFC Campaigns
The Wendt Center is one of the charities you can designate if you participate in the annual United Way Campaign.
Our agency code is #8345 and CFC Code is #17145.
Thank you for remembering us!
Join our Lights of Hope Team
The Lights of Hope Program provides candle light vigils for families in the Washington Metropolitan area regardless of cause of death. To learn more, Click here.
