deathcompanion

grief scholar & coach

peer & family support

My services are open to any one of any faith or culture and/or lack thereof. I am a neutral support.
This is a queer, gender expansive, and transgender affirming space.

I have been a companion to the chronically ill & dying since I was 16. Three decades of the work I do began as community care in that small farming community. My work continued as I sat at the bedside of those that were loved and some that were not. When the pandemic swept across our world, I immersed myself in active death care and formal certification, moving through supporting community organizer spaces, spaces of equity, spaces of loss, Jewish spaces as a member of the chevra kadisha, spaces of activism and commitment to liberty for all, despite an unwavering pushback of dehumanization and preventable death.

Death Companioning, including grief support and patient advocacy, is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care. Although my practice is run on the strictest of standards, my services are not a replacement for therapy or a medical doctor.

I work on pro-bono and donation. The jewelry shop supports my work. No one is turned away for ability to pay. Suggested levels of donation: a) $0 or trade+ - for those with financial and housing insecurity b) $35/hr+ - for those with slightly more accessibility c) $50/hr+ - for those who don’t have the accessibility to pay the full suggested rate d) $65/hr+ e) $85/hr+ - sponsorship level

services

Support & Action

  • Community Care: Living Funeral Practitioner

  • Medical Bridge: Long Term Care & Terminal Patient Advocaten

  • End of Life: Preparedness & Active Death & Bereavement

  • Mourning: Grief Support & Survivorship

  • Preparedness: Anticipatory Grief & Death Anxiety

  • Pet Loss: Body Disposition, Burial, and Aftercare

Education

  • Grief & Loss Literacy

  • Non-Oppressive End of Life Care Practices

  • Trauma-Informed & Sensitive Policy Crafting

  • Thanatology Education for Therapeutic Practitioners, Spiritual Practitioners, & Clergy

  • Public Education: Grief & The Workplace

credentials & training

As you read through my list of academic and professional qualifications, you will notice one thing, that all of my training is built upon one singular foundation and that foundation is an interdisciplinary approach and community.

I have clinical psychology and creative writing/journalism education, 4 years working in behavioral health as an intern counselor for a regional mental health care facility, an end of life caretaker for the aging, as an apprentice occupational therapist to the disabled. I also have an 8-year career in agencies, non-profits, colleges, high schools, and major corporations as a career guidance professional, program developer, human resources/employee relations consultant, life-skills teacher, and a peer mentor.

My corporate, non-profit, and agency experience includes being a corporate trainer, creating behavior-based relationship-building programs to teaching high school youth to guide senior college students to advising community colleges on a curriculum to being a project manager for a global private equity firm executing messaging, marketing, and growth. I spent almost a decade of building and developing individuals and teams as well as improving processes in operations, benefits, administration, and employee relations to provide equity within the workforce and a human approach to hiring and retention.

My clients and partners have included: CASES, Community Work Services Boston, Easter Seals Rhode Island and Texas, Cayuga Centers, Housing Works, Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Granite Pathways, and the New Hampshire Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Former Staff:

Guest Instructor & Presenter:

Credentials, Education & Relevant Training:

Memberships & Community Care Work:

  • TRACC Healers Network 2019-2022

  • New York State Trauma Informed Network 2019-2023

  • IDHA NYC 2019-2022

  • Green Wood Historical Cemetery Ambassador 2020-2021

practitioner guidelines

Our life journey is personal and contextualized but there may be times where you may need a bit of guidance incorporating traditional techniques and practices. My roots are buried deep within my own ancestral guidance, lineage, and culture. I bring this level of dedication and intuitiveness to my practices as an energetic practitioner and guide. I adhere to A Brave Container & Guiding Principles approach.

Ongoing Direct Constructive Feedback

  • Sustainable Accountability

  • Transformational Relationship Building

  • Acknowledgement, Respect, & Action in Relation to Context

  • Appreciative Support with Respect for Vulnerability

  • Trustworthiness & Transparency

  • Peer Support, Community, & Connection

  • Collaboration & Mutuality

  • Empowerment, Voice, & Choice

  • Acknowledgement, Respect, & Action in Relation to Individual Intersectional Issues: Cultural, Historical, Racial, Ancestral, Gender

Working With Domestic Violence Survivors

If you are a domestic abuse or intimate partner violence survivor, I ask that you be at least 6 months post relationship and have worked with a therapist during that time to unpack and process before embarking on 1:1 mentorship and guidance.

A Note About Healing Centered Engagement Approaches

Healing Does Not Mean Healed, It is a Journey

Approaches the well-being of individuals as a collective effort by a community. Individuals can transform by participation in healing the root cause of the harm within institutions, systems, and the community. This approach not only supports individuals but also identifies strengths within the community to build resources for healing through relationships and connection.

I offer medicine to everyone, with special considerations made for those experiencing grief, loss, shadow loss, chronic illness, and end of life. Certain practices are reserved for Black, Indigenous, and People of the Global Majority (BIPOC) and this is always a brave space for Queer & Trans people (2SLGBTQIA+.)

Disclaimers & Liability

Ori Aguila’s website and social media are not a substitute for you seeking expertise from specialists in the following fields: all medical, physical and mental health specialties and conditions, psychology and psychological counseling, wellness, therapeutic interventions (including spiritual and/or religious beliefs), diagnostic procedures and screenings, any form of physical or mental health counseling or treatment, or evaluation and treatment from professionals of the healing arts. It is up to you to independently access actions or inactions, resulting from or relating to the website, social media, or any experience you have with my services.

By requesting my services, you are acknowledging that you understand that the services you will be receiving from me are not offered as a substitute for professional mental health care or medical care and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any mental health or medical conditions. You also understand that I am not acting as a mental health counselor or a medical professional. You also understand that working with me is not a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care or substance abuse treatment, and you will not use it in place of any form of therapy.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS YOU MAY NEED A REFERRAL TO A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SUCH AS A THERAPIST OR PSYCHIATRIST. FOR SOME THESE CHANGES ARE MILD AND DO NOT REQUIRE A REFERRAL, IT IS UP TO YOU, THE CLIENT TO DETERMINE THE INTENSITY AND DEGREE OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS SO A PROPER REFERRAL CAN BE MADE OR WE CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER 

  • Marked changes in mood, such as irritability, anger, anxiety, or sadness

  • A decline in performance at work or school

  • Withdrawal from social relationships and activities

  • Changes in weight and appearance, including negligence of personal hygiene

  • Disturbances in sleep (either oversleeping or difficulty falling or staying asleep)

  • Expresses hopelessness or suicidal thoughts.

These signs can include interpersonal challenges that are subtle  or impulsive as well as hyperactivity.

You, as the client, understand that I have certain professional limitations and I am obligated to assert the need for referral to more appropriate medical and legal assistance

reviews

  • “I love Ori so much! They are incredibly professional and helped me in my life and career. Because of them, I have been able to get honest with myself and to speak about the fears that have been holding me back. I felt safe and comfortable. Ori created an environment for me where I could be vulnerable and go to those places that I have been avoiding.”

    — sally w.

  • “I was working through the challenge of heartache and shadow loss of a relationship. Ori stood out to me because they are knowledgeable, self-aware, passionate, and a strong educator. They extended the invitation to work with them through a distance energy healing session. I was in an emotional upheaval and needed the grounding, so I accepted. They had such an energetic presence and a naturalness while connecting with me as well as being passionate and fun. Ori is out of this world good. They are a healer who knows their best practices and does the work on themselves to give you a strong foundation in knowing just what you are getting when working with them. Working with them is truly an experience in co-creating at its finest. I love them! Take the leap and invest in yourself! It is so worth it!”

    — crystal r.

  • “I was struggling finding a better way to communicate my needs and desires to help control my PTSD with my family so they could better understand how they could help support my goals. Ori’s ability to listen and coax out details so they could re-frame questions that make you look deep inside yourself to answer them is amazing. Ori was never pushing type of “one-size-fits-all” or “quick-fix” solutions within their sessions. They truly took the time to develop exercises based on your conversations that help you learn about yourself and work to accept who you are now in order to develop a path forward to work on. I now have a better understanding of myself and what I need from relationships with others. How to re-frame conversations to make it easy to discuss difficult topics with family and my boss at work. I am glad I got to work with Ori, there was laughter and they were easy to talk to. I encourage anyone looking for guidance and support to check them out even for a single session as they will make a meaning full impact in your life!”

    — jason b.

  • “I love how inclusive Ori is. They are very well-informed and I never felt invalidated or as though any part of what I was experiencing was not real. I felt uncertain of how to expand on my identity. I struggled with call myself certain things and I was trying to figure out how to begin to embrace my identity void of the colonial mindset. Ori practices in a variety of important intersections of the wellness community. They helped me realize that I am validated and embracing my culture and heritage; there is nothing wrong with me. Since working with them I have begun to build rituals for embracing myself and have an idea of where I want to go next. I would tell people who are considering working with Ori that they are trauma-informed and that they practice in ways that are not only inclusive but reinforce accountability on the part of the person who aiming to grow so they do the work that is necessary. This has been an amazing experience!”

    — georgina s.

  • “Ori and I were friends prior booking the platica. Unfortunately, I had a very traumatic experience with another practitioner so I turned to Ori for help because I know they are trauma-informed. I decided to work with Ori because they are trauma-informed, Indigenous, disabled, and queer... I knew they would be able to hold space for me in the way that I need. I was having panic attacks and dissociating due to the trauma. I wanted to heal from the trauma of seeing a curandera that did not respect my boundaries or consent. I felt so safe and held throughout the session. learned so much about curanderismo and dissolving cords. I feel so much lighter and grounded. I have regained a sense of trust in myself and my higher power. I feel safe. HIRE THEM. Ori is one of the most powerful people I have ever encountered. They are truly an incredible healer and energy worker and deathwalker.”

    — di m.

  • “I met Ori on social media. I was immediately drawn to them because of their honesty. I have needed to connect with someone like them for years. They are willing to use their own experiences along with their education. They truly understands what is needed to guide someone to their next steps or path. I highly recommend Ori. If you’re wanting to make a large or even the smallest of changes in your life, Ori is a skilled and understanding. Thank you, Ori!”

    — michelle z.

  • “I was struggling to find my footing professionally and personally. I was in the middle of a divorce process, I was a new single father with full custody of young boys, I started a new job, and I was attempting to launch my own practice. I was juggling way too many things and it took its toll on me. I really liked the way Ori focused on holistic wellness. I was also very impressed with the level of detail and professionalism. Ori dug deep! Working with them made me realize there was a separate challenge happening in the background that needed to be dealt with before working on anything else in my life. Since working with Ori, my divorce process ended successfully, my work life isn’t as overwhelming anymore, I finished outlining the new edition of my book, and I am about to launch my own practice in the next several months. I always knew I could be happy, but it seemed like it eluded me. Now I am swimming in happiness daily and there’s a new peace in my life. Ori is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to personal development. They have a patient, friendly, and approachable style that makes folks want to keep talking to them. If you are wondering if you should hire Ori, don’t hesitate, the answer is yes!”

    — robert b.