GRIEF IS THE NORMAL AND NATURAL REACTION TO LOSS
In the Grief Recovery Method®, we are not going to tell you,
“We know how you feel.”
Because we don’t. Neither does anyone else.
Are you suffering from a broken heart? Was it caused by a death, divorce, or the breakup of a romantic relationship? Or was it caused by any of the more than 40 other losses that a person can experience during a lifetime? Regardless of the cause, you know how you feel and it probably isn’t good. The long list includes:
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce or end of a relationship
- Chronic pain or loss of health
- Major financial change
- … and so many more
Definitions of Grief
Simply defined, grief is the normal and natural reaction to significant emotional loss of any kind. While we never compare losses, any list would include, death and divorce as obvious painful losses. Our list also includes many others; retirement, moving, pet loss, financial, and health issues.
Grief is also the conflicting feelings from any end or change in a familiar pattern of behavior. Surprisingly, that list includes what most consider “positive” events, such as graduation, marriage, a new baby, or job promotion.
Grief is individual and unique for every person. A person’s relationship to each aspect of their life is also unique. As such, the feelings and thoughts each person will have about the relationship that has been altered by death, divorce, or other reasons require customized attention using proven skills and understanding.
“When your heart is broken, your head doesn’t work right;
and when your heart is broken, your spirit may not soar.”
Russell Friedman, Executive Director of The Grief Recovery Institute
Will This Heartache Last Forever?
No, your grief doesn’t have to last forever. And I don’t want you to feel this pain for the rest of your life.
Effective Grief Recovery can begin immediately. We tend to create larger-than-life memory pictures in which we either enshrine or bedevil the person who died. This phenomenon increases with time, making it more difficult to discover the truth within our relationships. It is never too soon to address your grief. Imagine getting a flat tire, how long would you wait to call for help? Waiting won’t get your tire fixed, and neither will waiting some “acceptable” amount of time help you to live beyond your pain.
Cole James, President of The Grief Recovery Institute, shares why:
The Problem with Grief
Grief is normal and natural, but many of the ideas we have been taught about dealing with grief are not helpful, for example:
- Don’t feel bad
- Replace the loss
- Grieve alone
- Don’t feel bad
- Time heals all wounds
- Just keep busy
Just looking at the myth that “time heals” creates the idea that a person just has to wait and they will feel better. We have known people who waited 10, 20, 30, and 40 years and still didn’t feel better. We know that they would tell you that not only had time not healed them, but that it had compounded the pain. The other grief myths carry equally unhelpful messages. Our co-founder Russell Friedman explains:
The Solution
People say you have to let go and move on in your life, but they don’t tell you what you need to do to accomplish that. The Grief Recovery Method® educational program, developed and refined over the past 30 years, not only makes that possible but provides partnership and guidance to ensure that it happens.
This powerful and dynamic experience is the most sensible, accessible, and authentic plan available for recovery from loss. Each program is facilitated by a Certified Grief Recovery Method® Specialist in a 7-week one-on-one format. The Grief Recovery Institute has trained thousands of Specialists all over the country as well as internationally.
The following video clip from the founders of The Grief Recovery Institute does a great job of explaining the Grief Recovery Method:
How Does This Work?
A Certified Grief Recovery Method® Specialist provides a safe environment for participants to take the actions of The Grief Recovery Method®. You will look at your old beliefs about dealing with loss, what losses have affected your life, and take new actions that will lead you to completion of the pain attached to those losses. As a result, our participants find that they can discover and complete what was left emotionally unfinished due to a death, a divorce, or other major loss.
The Grief Recovery Handbook, 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith (2009) and the accompanying format, both written by the founders of the Grief Recovery Institute®, John W. James and Russell Friedman, are used as texts for the program.
What is the difference between The Grief Recovery Method® Program and other support groups?
Many grief groups provide an environment for you to verbalize the thoughts and feelings you experience following a loss. While there is a benefit to that kind of expression, it is not enough. Talking about how you feel does not complete the unfinished emotional business that is attached to a loss. The Grief Recovery Method is designed to guide you through a series of actions to not only verbalize your feelings but to help you complete the pain associated with those feelings. For the safety and success of all participants, commitment and attendance are essential.
The Grief Recovery Method® creates the safety and the correct action choices that help people move beyond the pain caused by loss. Together we can help you to take a look at old beliefs about loss; to look at what other losses have affected your life; and to take new actions that lead to completion of the pain attached to the recent loss, or the loss that occurred long ago.
Is The Grief Recovery Method® Legit?
Yes! Research on The Grief Recovery Method® has shown it to be an evidence-informed, practice-based program that effectively influences components of grief and grief recovery.
Check this out to learn more about what these terms mean.
Don’t wait any longer! Time alone will not heal your broken heart!
If you have experienced one or more losses, and you wish to move beyond the pain, this program offers you the probability of a richer and more rewarding life.
For more information about The Grief Recovery Method® please contact me.
What to expect when working with me:
Maybe you have been fighting to stay strong, or keeping things from falling apart around you for a very long time. Now you have reached that point when enough is enough and it’s time to stop going through life feeling stuck, fearful, and overwhelmed!
Are you looking for guidance and tools to help you get back on track? If so, you have come to the right person!
It’s a very brave decision to be willing to look at the losses, disappointments, and broken dreams in your life, but I will be there to listen and guide you through the process.
I work with clients using the 7-week Online One-on-One program exclusively using video conferencing, which means we can work together from almost anywhere you are, as long as you have internet or cellphone service.
Want to know more?
I know, it’s really hard to make that first call. You might be feeling anxious, nervous, or even scared and that’s OK. But know this, you will find a very empathetic and caring person at the other end of the line or e-mail, I promise. I’m very passionate about what I do and I truly want you to feel safe and supported.
When you’re ready to learn more, we can schedule a free 20-minute discovery call so you can learn a little more about me and the Grief Recovery Method before making any type of commitment. I’d like to know more about the loss you’ve experienced so we can determine the best program for you at this time.
If you decide to book a free 20-minute discovery session with me, here is what is going to happen:
- You contact me here and I’ll get back to you, then we set a date and time for a complimentary “getting to know you” call.
- We talk for the first time over the phone.
- In this first call, I will first introduce myself and tell you a bit about my story so you know that you will have an experienced person to guide you. I will then explain to you how the Grief Recovery Method® works.
- I will ask if you’re ready to tell me your story, and will listen without judging or trying to fix anything.
- I will not pressure you to book the program or any other of my services. If you need time to think or ask questions, we can arrange another quick call. If you’re not interested, you can always get back in touch at a later time if you change your mind.
Then, if you decide to get started, here is what’s going to happen next:
- The program will take place over an easy-to-use online meeting platform.
- We will then select a day and time from my availability that suits you. The meetings will (ideally) take place on the same day and time every week to keep a regular structure.
- I will then send you a confirmation, client contract, terms & conditions sheet, and payment options.
- We then meet virtually at our selected day and time every week through my online meeting platform (it’s very easy to use, I’ll teach you how).
Are you ready?
I’ve come very far in healing the pain from my losses and unresolved issues so I can honestly say that this program works! A friend of mine gave me this analogy:
“It’s like you have been walking around on a big map, getting lost because you can’t see where you are going. The Grief Recovery Method gives you the ability to see the map from above and finally be able to see your path!”
You will free up so much energy – energy that you can use to pursue your dreams instead of being stuck in a painful past. I can assure you that it’s worth it and that I will hold a safe space for you to be vulnerable and tell your true stories without being judged.
You can schedule your free discovery session by contacting me.
