Kristen Emerson, LCSW, is a hospice bereavement counselor working with families navigating life after profound loss. Originally from Wisconsin, she escaped the brutal winters to attend the University of Richmond, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. Later after enduring a family death, she pursued a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in order to work with grieving families. Since 2012, Kristen has worked in end-of-life care providing grief support to individuals of all ages, families, and support groups with a special interest in young adult bereavement. She deeply values collaboration in the community, demonstrated through her leadership role with the Bereavement Coalition of Central Virginia since 2016. She is genuinely concerned about the loss and trauma that professional helpers have faced during the pandemic and is responding to provide support in creative ways.