Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Navigating the ashes: Supporting emotional strength amid the Los Angeles wildfires

Alana Epstein, MSW, LCSW
Conditions
January 11, 2025
Share
Tweet
Share

As an employee assistance program (EAP) therapist at a hospital, I am often called upon to help people navigate the emotional fallout of life’s most challenging moments. The wildfires devastating Los Angeles bring a unique layer of grief, stress, and uncertainty to our community.

David Kessler, a leading voice on grief, emphasizes that loss is not limited to death—it is any change or transition that disrupts our sense of stability. For those impacted by the fires, grief may take many forms: the loss of a home, a school, or a neighborhood, as well as the loss of routine, safety, and peace of mind.

In my work, I see firsthand how such crises ripple through the lives of individuals, families, and workplaces. As we collectively process these fires, there are key principles we can all lean on to build emotional resilience and support each other.

Coping strategies for individuals and communities

Acknowledge the emotional impact. Grief requires acknowledgment. Whether someone has lost their home or is watching the devastation from a distance, their feelings of sadness, fear, and helplessness are valid. Encourage open conversations about these emotions without judgment or minimizing.

Connect to meaning. Kessler’s work reminds us that finding meaning can help us move forward. This doesn’t mean finding a reason for the devastation but asking, “How can I respond?” Small acts of kindness—helping a neighbor, donating to relief efforts, or simply being present for someone in need—can help rebuild a sense of purpose.

Lean on community. One of the greatest antidotes to grief is connection. Whether through neighborhood groups, faith communities, or workplace teams, fostering connection can remind us that we’re not alone. As an EAP therapist, I see how vital workplace support is during crises. Leaders can help by normalizing conversations about emotional well-being and offering tangible resources, such as counseling, peer-to-peer support, flexible schedules, etc.

Practice self-compassion. This is hard—for everyone. It’s important to be gentle with ourselves and others. Not every day will feel manageable, and that’s OK. Taking small, intentional steps toward recovery—whether that’s resting, seeking support, or just taking a moment to breathe—is enough.

Focus on what’s possible today. When everything feels overwhelming, it helps to narrow our focus to what is within our control. What is one thing you can do today to care for yourself or someone else? This mindset doesn’t erase the pain but offers a way to keep moving forward.

Supporting teams through crisis

For organizations, wildfires and other disasters are not just personal crises—they are workplace challenges. Employees bring their grief and anxiety into the workplace, impacting focus, productivity, and morale. As an EAP therapist, I often work with leaders to help their teams navigate these moments with empathy and resilience.

  • Normalize emotional responses: Acknowledge that it’s OK to feel overwhelmed. Create spaces for employees to share their concerns and offer resources for emotional support.
  • Encourage flexibility: Understand that employees may be juggling displacement, caregiving, and other stressors. Flexible policies can go a long way in fostering trust and compassion.
  • Model resilience: Leaders who show vulnerability and prioritize their own well-being set a powerful example for their teams.

A community of care

The Los Angeles wildfires remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of collective care. Whether through small acts of kindness or systemic support, each of us has a role to play in fostering resilience and recovery.

ADVERTISEMENT

As an EAP therapist, I am continually inspired by the strength of individuals and communities during times of crisis. Together, we can navigate the ashes, finding hope, meaning, and healing in the process.

Alana Epstein is a psychotherapist.

Prev

How health care boards can transform organizational culture and workforce development [PODCAST]

January 11, 2025 Kevin 0
…
Next

Why dermatology deserves respect: a medical student’s perspective

January 12, 2025 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Psychiatry

Post navigation

< Previous Post
How health care boards can transform organizational culture and workforce development [PODCAST]
Next Post >
Why dermatology deserves respect: a medical student’s perspective

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Alana Epstein, MSW, LCSW

  • You are already at the table: Letting go of perfectionism in health care

    Alana Epstein, MSW, LCSW

Related Posts

  • Emotional support animals for health care providers

    Brittany Ladson
  • The emotional side of genetic testing

    Erin Paterson
  • Supporting migrant adolescents

    Ruhi Saldanha
  • The tension between intense commitment and physical, emotional, and interpersonal well-being

    Timothy Keyes
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    An oncologist takes on the recent breast and cervical cancer screening controversy

    Don S. Dizon, MD

More in Conditions

  • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

    Sarah White, APRN
  • Why perinatal mental health is the top cause of maternal death in the U.S.

    Sheila Noon
  • A world without vaccines: What history teaches us about public health

    Drew Remignanti, MD, MPH
  • Unraveling the mystery behind one of the most dangerous pregnancy complications: preeclampsia

    Thomas McElrath, MD, PhD and Kara Rood, MD
  • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

    Noah Weinberg
  • Pain is more than physical: the story your body is trying to tell

    Katie Hatt, DO
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

      Noah Weinberg | Conditions
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • How to speak the language of leadership to improve doctor wellness [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight

      Marco Benítez | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

      Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO | Physician
    • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why perinatal mental health is the top cause of maternal death in the U.S.

      Sheila Noon | Conditions

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

      Noah Weinberg | Conditions
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • How to speak the language of leadership to improve doctor wellness [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight

      Marco Benítez | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

      Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO | Physician
    • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why perinatal mental health is the top cause of maternal death in the U.S.

      Sheila Noon | Conditions

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...