Welcome to Growing Past Grief, LLC.
My philosophy of grief and loss is guided by the theory, concepts, and principles developed by The Grief Recovery Institute®.
At Growing Past Grief, I specialize in supporting and guiding people through the healing process of grief and loss. I understand the need to have someone listen with an open and non-judgmental heart, and I know how important it is to discover and complete what has been left emotionally unresolved. With over 40 potential grief-causing losses, people can have a lot to process – and I’m here to help.
Unresolved grief leads to existing rather than living. I want you to live!
Isn’t Grief Just About Death?
This is one of the most common misunderstandings about grief. Grief is the normal and natural reaction to loss of any kind. Whenever there is a change in what was familiar, loss is present — and therefore grief is present. If you have experienced any of the following losses or changes, you have experienced grief:
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- Death
- Divorce
- Romantic Break-up
- Pet Loss
- Financial Change
- Retirement/Job Loss or Change
- Loss of Trust, Safety, Control, or Childhood
- Active Addiction/Getting Sober
- Loss of Pregnancy
- Loss of Faith
- Loss of Health
- Empty Nest
- Legal Problems
Regardless of your loss, my mission is to equip you with the tools to achieve completion from the pain and enhance the quality of your life.
What About the Stages?
Grief is unique and individual; therefore, THERE ARE NO STAGES! You have likely heard of Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s 5 stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). However, these stages were identified in patients receiving a terminal diagnosis – not in people experiencing any other loss. Unfortunately, these emotional stages experienced by someone dying have been applied to people experiencing other types of grief. No one who has experienced the death of a loved one “denies” that fact. If you are here reading about grief, hoping to find a way to resolve it, you are not in denial!
Although each person’s grief is individual, you may be experiencing one or more of these common responses to grief:
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- Changes in Appetite (can’t eat; can’t stop eating)
- Changes in Sleep Patterns (insomnia; interrupted sleep; can’t get out of bed)
- Fatigue (even if well-rested)
- Reduced Concentration
- A Sense of Numbness
- Waves of Emotion
- Irritability
Unresolved grief is cumulative, and cumulatively negative, leading to a loss of vitality and meaning in your life.
What’s the Answer?
Through my own personal experiences when dealing with my own losses, I realize that feeling better requires action. Thankfully, I have found a way that works: The Grief Recovery Method®. Using the Grief Recovery Method®, I walk hand in hand with you, guiding you through this transformational process. It is your bridge back to life.
For more information on The Grief Recovery Method® programs we offer…
Grief support 1 on 1 is for those who prefer to work individually, face to face in a private conversation with me, their Grief Recovery Method Specialist. This 7-meeting format (in which we meet once or twice a week, depending on your schedule) uses the same materials as the group program.
Support groups offer a safe, evidence-based environment for grievers to take effective and lasting action, no matter the type of loss they’ve experienced. Groups meet once a week for 8 weeks or twice a week for 4 weeks, depending on scheduling and availability.
Depending on your schedule, distance from me, or health concerns, you may not want to meet in person. That’s okay! I am certified to offer 1 on 1 support online. This method can be just as effective as meeting face to face, but you do need to be comfortable on camera and in an online setting.
The vast majority of parents find themselves at a loss when trying to help their children deal with any grieving experience that impacts them. This 4-week program is designed to teach parents, teachers, and others who work with children the necessary tools to help children effectively deal with their broken hearts, no matter the loss they are facing.
The loss of a pet can be emotionally devastating. Sadly, the impact of the heartbreak of this type of loss is often downplayed or ignored altogether by friends and family. This 6-meeting program is focused on offering pet owners an effective mechanism for taking action to move through and beyond their grief.