The Tristesse Grief Center

05/13/2026

It’s not too late to apply for Camp Erin® Tulsa 2026, taking place June 5-7! The Grief Center invites children and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the loss of a significant person to join this special weekend retreat. Applications close this Friday, May 15, so don't miss this chance to experience healing and heartwarming connection! Learn more and apply at thegriefcenter.org/camp

05/10/2026

For those who’re finding Mother’s Day difficult, complex, or delicate, what you’re feeling is valid. Make time to honor those feelings. Give yourself grace and know you’re not alone. Navigate today in a way that feels best to you—celebrate, remember, cry, laugh, and breathe.

04/23/2026

It's not too late to sign up for tomorrow's webinars! Join The Grief Center for two live webinars focused on grief and trauma. Clara Anderson Sainte, LCSW begins at 9:00 am, and Dr. Jen Hartman follows at 1:00 pm. Each session is worth 3 CE credits and costs $55. Visit www.thegriefcenter.org to grab your spot!

04/22/2026

A huge thank you to our incredible clinical interns for the dedication and compassion they have brought to our community. We are so grateful for the vital role they’ve played helping our clients navigate loss and creating a more grief-sensitive community. Their commitment to service and professional growth has made a lasting impact, and we wish them the best in their careers!

04/20/2026

You don’t have to carry the weight of loss alone. The Tristesse Grief Center is hosting four specialized 7-week grief groups starting the week of May 4. Join our Su***de Loss or Child Loss groups on Mondays beginning May 4, or our Spouse Loss or Grief Journey groups on Tuesdays beginning May 5. All sessions meet in person at our Tulsa clinic from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. These groups are free and led by professional counselors. Visit the link in the comments or call us to register.

***deLoss

04/07/2026

Camper applications are now open for Camp Erin® Tulsa 2026, taking place June 5-7! The Grief Center invites children and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the loss of a significant person to join this special weekend retreat. Don't miss this chance to experience healing and heartwarming connection! Learn more and apply at thegriefcenter.org/camp

03/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who made the Healing Hearts Gala 2026 a smash success! Last Thursday, the Tulsa community came together to raise a record $250,000 in support of our vital work! These funds directly support our mission to provide grieving individuals and families support through counseling, outreach, and collaboration. To our incredible sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and every single attendee: we couldn't have done it without you. ❤️ View link in comments to learn more about what we do.

03/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Healing Hearts Gala on Thursday! It was a HUGE success, and we are simply in awe of the way the Tulsa community came out to support the work we do providing hope and healing for those grieving in our community. We have much more to share in the coming week, but we wanted to start by shouting out our emcee for the evening, LeAnne Taylor News On 6! She did an incredible job, and she shared a very special segment on her show the following morning. You can check it out here!

Hundreds gathered at Tulsa’s Mayo Hotel for the Healing Hearts Gala supporting the Tristesse Grief Center, a nonprofit founded by a mother who lost her daughter to cancer and created the organization to help others navigate grief.

03/03/2026

You don’t have to carry the weight of loss alone. 🤍

Starting next Monday, March 9, The Tristesse Grief Center is hosting a 7-week grief group specifically for those who have lost a loved one to su***de. Led by one of our expert professional counselors, this group offers a safe, non-judgmental space to share your story, find connection with others on a similar path, and navigate the complexities of losing someone to su***de.

This free group starts this coming Monday, March 9, from 6:00–7:30 PM and runs for 7 consecutive weeks. Our groups take place in person at our clinic in Tulsa. Donations are always optional and appreciated.

For more info, visit the link in comments or call us.

***deLoss

Grief Groups We believe that everyone who is grieving deserves a space to connect with others and share their story. Our groups meet once a week for seven weeks, and each group is led by a professional grief counselor. Attendance is free, and donations are completely optional. Learn more about the g...

02/09/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of Tristesse “Tess” Gonsalves, the girl who inspired everything we do.

After six years with cancer, 14-year-old Tess wanted to make sure her loved ones had the support they needed after she was gone. At the time, Tulsa didn’t have comprehensive grief support services. On October 18, 2002, a group of community volunteers, led by Tess’s mom Laura, opened the doors of The Tristesse Grief Center. It was two years from the day she had died.

In the almost 25 years since, we’ve grown our work to help more of our neighbors than we ever could’ve imagined. But the heart of what we do, first dreamed by Tess, remains the same.

Happy birthday, Tess. And thank you—you are forever in our hearts.