Texas Department of Criminal Justice announces ‘Navigating Grief in a Season of Celebration’ webinar

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The holidays are often portrayed as a season of joy, connection, and tradition, but for those grieving a loss, they can feel especially heavy.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is hosting a webinar canned ‘Navigating Grief in a Season of Celebration. This webinar – presented by Brandi Riley, LPC, a mental health clinician at the department’s Victim Services Division – explores why grief can intensify during the holiday season, including the impact of memories, traditions, expectations, and unexpected triggers. Participants will gain practical strategies for navigating difficult moments, setting boundaries, honoring their loss, and creating space for both grief and meaningful connection, without the pressure to make the holidays feel the way they once did.

Riley is a Licensed Professional Counselor who supports employee mental health and wellness initiatives. With more than a decade of experience in trauma, crisis response, and behavioral health, she has worked extensively with first responders and public safety professionals. Her background includes responding to mass-casualty incidents, developing statewide wellness and peer-support programs, and providing training on trauma, grief, resilience, and mental health.

The webinar takes place Tuesday, December 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST. Participants can register at tdcj-texas-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b_uyjCzER6WTMNkkC2wDkQ#/registration. After registering, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.