Second Firsts

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Second Firsts

Title page of the original edition

Author| Christina Rasmussen
Cover artist| Nita Ybarra
Language| English
Subject| Grief
Genre| Health
Psychology
Motivational
Counseling
Self-help
Publisher| Hay House

Publication date

| November 4, 2013
Publication place| United States

Published in English

| 2013
Media type| Print
Website| www.secondfirsts.com

Second Firsts is a 2013 book published by the crisis intervention counselor Christina Rasmussen, in which she introduces a new model of grief based on the science of neuroplasticity. She describes grief as a catalyst for redefining identity, and outlines the process of "reentry", or returning to life.[1]

## Background

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Christina Rasmussen studied grief at the University of Durham in England, and her Master's thesis is on the subject of bereavement.

On July 21, 2006, Christina's husband of 10 years, Bjarne Rasmussen, died from Stage IV colon cancer.[2] Christina continued working to support her children.[2]

After switching careers, Rasmussen decided in 2010 to focus on her work as an independent grief counselor.[3] Continuing her prior research in the field, she began identifying a pattern of behaviors and beliefs that serve to perpetuate grief and affect quality of life after loss. Aligning her observations with concepts from neuroscience and, more specifically, neuroplasticity, Rasmussen developed a new model of grief.

## Overview

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Rasmussen's model of grief is known as the Life Reentry Model, referring to the notion that grief is not only a function of coping with loss, but also of each individual's need to "reenter" life. The model echoes concepts previously described by George Bonanno, a clinical psychology professor at Columbia University (Teachers College), and a pioneering researcher in bereavement.[4][5] For example, the model calls for the grieving individual to use action to recover, parallel to Bonanno's theory of psychological resilience.[6][7][8][9] As well, the model opposes traditionally pervasive theories in the field, such as the stages of grief defined in the Kübler-Ross model, and Freud's description of "grief work".[10]

## Reception

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Edward J. Benz Jr., president and CEO of the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, remarked that "Second Firsts shows us why we must start living again and how to go about it. This engaging, touching, and helpful work is a must read for anyone facing or coping with the loss of someone close.”[11]

Anita Moorjani, New York Times best-selling author and survivor of a Near Death Experience (NDE), wrote that "In Second Firsts you will discover how to move from merely surviving to once again thriving."[11]

Karen Salmansohn, a best-selling self-help author, said that "Second Firsts is about creating a bigger life after loss. It is about dreaming of a brand new way to fall in love again with living fully. It is certainly not an easy task, but this little book makes it easier."[11]

Bernie S. Siegel, American writer, former pediatric surgeon, and New Age speaker, said that "Second Firsts can be your life coach, direct you to heal, and create a new life."[11]

In 2012, Second Firsts was featured on Hello Giggles, as well as the blog of The White House.[12][13]

## See also

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Psychological resilience
Christina Rasmussen
George Bonanno
Allison Maslan

## References

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1. ^ Rasmussen, Christina (November 4, 2013). Second Firsts: Live, Laugh, and Love Again. Hay House.
2. ^ a b Spegman, Abby (January 8, 2013). "Just Like Starting Over". Wicked Local.
3. ^ Rymer, Brooke (March 2016). "Raising the Bar of Life After Loss". Experience Life.
4. ^ http://www.tc.columbia.edu/faculty/index.htm?facid=gab38 George A. Bonanno's Columbia University Faculty Page
5. ^ Szegedy-Maszak, Marianne (2005-06-23). "Self-absorbed handle trauma best". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
6. ^ Carey, Benedict (2009-01-01). "Economic collapse brings out resilience in most, experts say". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
7. ^ "Columbia Discovery Service". ciaonet.org. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
8. ^ Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Professor of Psychology, Yale University, “Bonanno has revolutionized our thinking about how people respond to loss and trauma. The Other Side of Sadness has tremendous implications for interventions and for how people see themselves.”
9. ^ Daniel Gilbert, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University; author of Stumbling on Happiness, “There are a lot of books on bereavement and now you can throw them all away. Bonanno carefully assembles scientific evidence to show that most of what we thought we knew is just plain wrong.”
10. ^ Clewell, T. (2004). "Mourning beyond melancholia: Freud's psychoanalysis of loss". Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. 52: 43–67\. PMID 15089015.
11. ^ a b c d "Second Firsts (on Amazon)". Amazon. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
12. ^ Escobar, Michelle (September 13, 2012). "WWTDG: Christina Rasmussen". Hello Giggles. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
13. ^ Cho, Ronnie (December 7, 2012). "WWTDG: When All Love Is Not Lost". whitehouse.gov - via National Archives.