About The Grief Recovery Institute
Since the Grief Recovery Institute was founded in 1978, we have expanded our team to provide training coast-to-coast and border-to-border in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. We also have affiliates in Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Hungary.
Keep scrolling ↓
Our Story
Born from personal loss, built on evidence
John W. James, a Vietnam Veteran, lost his infant son. In the devastating aftermath, he discovered that almost everything society had taught him about dealing with grief was wrong. “Time heals all wounds.” “Be strong.” “Keep busy.” None of it worked.
Instead of accepting grief as something to endure, John developed a set of action-based tools: specific steps anyone could take to move beyond their pain. He founded The Grief Recovery Institute. Russell Friedman joined him in the years that followed, and together they spent decades refining the Grief Recovery Method into what it is today.
What began as one father’s search for relief has grown into a global movement. Today, thousands of Certified Grief Recovery Specialists in more than 43 countries use this method to help people move beyond loss of every kind.
Meet the Founder
John W. James, Creator of The Grief Recovery Method
The Method
A structured, action-based approach to grief recovery
The Grief Recovery Method is the most comprehensive evidence-based grief recovery program available, giving people the tools to move beyond loss, not just talk about it.
Identify
Recognize the myths and misinformation about grief that have kept you stuck — the things you were taught that simply aren't true.
Act
Complete evidence-based action steps designed to achieve emotional completion with what is unfinished in your relationship to the loss.
Recover
Move beyond pain and transform your relationship with loss — not by forgetting, but by finding emotional completeness.
Evidence-Based
The only scientifically validated grief recovery program
Kent State University research established the Grief Recovery Method as the only evidence-based grief recovery program of its kind, available nationally and internationally.
Kent State University Research
Peer-reviewed research published in 2019 demonstrates measurable reductions in grief symptoms when using the Grief Recovery Method.
Trusted by Professionals
Recommended by licensed counselors, therapists, social workers, chaplains, hospice professionals, and healthcare providers worldwide.
The People Behind the Method
Leadership
President, The Grief Recovery Institute
Cole James
Cole grew up in Southern California and, as the son of founder John W. James, was encouraged to be "a heart with ears" from a very early age. He oversees operations, training, and global expansion, and hosts the Feel Free Again podcast.
Vice President, The Grief Recovery Institute
Ed Owens
Ed's journey to the Grief Recovery Institute began after the devastating loss of his 3-year-old son, Eddie Ryan, in 2010. He channels both personal experience and professional expertise into leading the Institute forward.
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Director of Operations
Ashley James
Ashley received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of San Diego with a minor in Fine Arts. She manages day-to-day operations with a deep family commitment to the mission.
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator
Mike Strick
Mike comes to The Grief Recovery Institute having witnessed exceptional outcomes for 15 years leading the Grief Recovery Method as a Bereavement Coordinator at a hospice from 2007 to 2021.
Certification Trainers
The people who train the next generation of specialists
Sandi Derby
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer & GRM Marketing Coach
Sandi personally experienced the Grief Recovery Method in 2006 after ending a three-and-a-half year meth addiction. Her most devastating loss experiences happened during her young life, and she now brings that lived experience to every cohort she leads.
Lois Hall
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Lois's career has been in the field of Public Health, having held several positions with the Ohio Department of Health, and serving as the Executive Director of the Ohio Public Health Association.
Susan Dindinger
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Susan's deep desire to help people led her to study Psychology at UCLA, where she graduated summa cum laude. After the devastating loss of her only sister, Susan discovered the Grief Recovery Method in 2002.
Jocelyn Jackson Williams
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Upon completion of her Grief Recovery Certification Training in 2010, Jocelyn realized she now had the tools to match her passion for helping people deal with the grief that was draining their energy and restricting their life choices.
Mike Wadel
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Mike has been a Grief Recovery Specialist since 2004. He was trained and mentored by former National and International Grief Recovery Method Trainer, the late Dr. Nancy Martin.
Bobbie Rill
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Bobbie is a Licensed Professional Counselor with degrees in Psychology and Counseling. She combines clinical expertise with the action-based Grief Recovery Method to help specialists go deeper.
Gwen Russo
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Gwen's introduction to the Grief Recovery Method began in 2017. She brings dedication and heart to every cohort she trains.
Global Reach
International Directors & Trainers
The Grief Recovery Method is active across Scandinavia, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, and Hungary, led by these country directors and trainers.
Anders Magnusson
Executive Director, Scandinavia
Based in Sweden, Anders first came in contact with Grief Recovery shortly after his mother died from lung cancer. He now leads the organization's presence across Scandinavia.
www.sorg.se→Arturo Albin
Executive Director, Mexico
Arturo became involved with grief work when he volunteered at his parish to become part of their bereavement team. It was very rewarding, but he was not satisfied until he discovered the Grief Recovery Method.
metodogriefrecovery.com/index→Amanda Lambros
Executive Director, Australia
Amanda has been providing counseling, education, and training services in Australia since 2002 and leads the Institute's work across the country.
www.griefrecoverymethod.com.au→Catherine Best
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer & Director of UK Operations
Catherine is an Advanced GRMS and Trainer based in the UK with 30+ years of experience in Early Years, Primary, and University-level education as a teacher and university lecturer, with Masters in Autism and Neuroscience.
Tammy Fleming
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Tammy is an American ex-pat whose permanent residency is Kyiv, Ukraine. She trains specialists across Eastern Europe and beyond.
Dr. Emőke Sarungi
Professional Director, Hungary
Dr. Emőke Sarungi is an adult and child psychiatrist, group analytical psychotherapist, and Grief Recovery Method® Trainer. She has been the professional director of the Grief Recovery Method Center since 2012.
gyaszfeldolgozasmodszer.hu→Laura Rodas
Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, Trainer
Laura's husband was murdered in 2007. Her world crumbled, and it was a time of darkness, suffering, and loneliness. That journey into and through grief now fuels her work with others.
In Memory
Our Founders
John W. James
February 16, 1944 – August 10, 2021
Founder, The Grief Recovery Method
A Vietnam Veteran who experienced grief and loss himself, John founded the Grief Recovery Method after the death of his infant son. He co-authored The Grief Recovery Handbook, now in its 20th Anniversary Edition, and spent his life helping millions move beyond loss.
“When you die, what matters most is your relationship with your family and that you were a person of your word.”
Russell Friedman
January 4, 1943 – November 26, 2016
Co-Founder
Russell joined John in the mid-1980s and co-authored multiple Grief Recovery books. A recognized CNN and Today Show grief expert, he helped grow the support community to hundreds of thousands. Russell passed away surrounded by his family on November 26, 2016. His legacy continues on in the work of every life he touched.
Published Works
The books behind the method
The Grief Recovery Handbook
John W. James & Russell Friedman
The book that started a movement. A step-by-step action program for moving beyond death, divorce, and other losses — now in its 20th Anniversary Edition with over 1.2 million copies sold.
When Children Grieve
The essential guide for parents, guardians, and caregivers to help children navigate loss with honesty and action.
Moving On
Dump your emotional baggage and start living — a practical guide that extends the Method beyond traditional grief.
The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss
The first book to apply the evidence-based Grief Recovery Method specifically to the loss of a beloved animal companion.
“
This program saved my life. With the sudden passing of both parents in a 6-month period, the grief hit me really hard. After the completion of the program I have my life back. The emotional pain is gone. I am free.
GRM Program Participant, Kansas City
The Method
Your next step toward freedom
No matter where you are in your grief journey, or your career, there’s a clear path forward here.