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Certification Training
Help Grievers in Your Community
The Grief Recovery Method® is the most comprehensive Grief Recovery education and certification you will find.
People come to us not only to help others, but because their lives were devastated by personal loss. Having gone through grief, they know how hard it can be and want to help others who are also grieving.
The Grief Recovery Certification Training will give you the tools you need to effectively help grievers recover from loss as well as an opportunity for personal healing. The program was developed by someone who was going through loss himself so this is not just a theory, but also a method that has worked for millions of people continuously over the past 35 years.
Join thousands of people people and become a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist!
So what exactly is the Certification Training?
Hands On
You’ll gain an invaluable understanding of Grief Recovery principles because the training is interactive. You will be asked to work on one of your own losses, so you’ll have the personal experience to help grievers recover from theirs.
Grief is the only topic
You will be on your way to becoming an expert on grief and grief recovery because your training will be specifically focused on helping people deal with loss. It won’t be muddied by other topics.
Only 4 days
The in depth certification training gives you the language, tools, and materials you need to start helping people immediately. In 4 days you will be a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist with the format and guidelines to run Grief Recovery Method Support Groups.
The Grief Recovery Method has given me fantastic tools to help grievers work through their issues in a step by step manner. I have seen HUGE changes in people during the 8 week program. I know I am facilitating a process which greatly HELPS people….As the Bereavement Coordinator at Crossroads Hospice in Cincinnati, I use The Grief Recovery Method Outreach Program to help families of our patients deal with grief and loss.
Mike StrickCincinnati, OH
Bereavement Coordinator, Crossroads Hospice
The Grief Recovery Method is the most comprehensive and effective process I have seen in my 20 years as a therapist for dealing with grief and unresolved issues from the past….I use The Grief Recovery Method in my counseling practice, in training sessions, speaking engagements, at my church, and in Outreach Programs I conduct….The Grief Recovery Method Certification Training has provided me with a specialized area of focus for my private practice along with better tools to help my clients.
Bobbie RillTucson, AZ
Licensed Professional Counselor
The most beneficial outcome of The Grief Recovery Method Certification Training is that I can pretty much guarantee my clients a life after grief because of The Grief Recovery Method….I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I use The Grief Recovery Training and materials every day in my work with clients. The most significant emotional experience I have in my therapeutic tools is The Grief Recovery Method….I am respected in my community as someone to turn to when grievers need help.
Jeanne Geidel-NealNewhall, CA
MFT - Marriage and Family Therapist
When visiting hospital/hospice patients and families, I encounter many grieving people and I am able to counter many of the myths and comments they have heard, and convince them they can complete the unfinished business they are carrying….As a hospital chaplain, I am offering The Grief Recovery Method to the staff and community.
Phil CoxRolla, MO
Hospital Chaplain, Phelps County Regional Medical Center
I have seen the mighty effects The Grief Recovery Method has had on multiple people including combat vets (myself included). I had personally been on a search for quite some time for something that worked and this is the action program that I found most beneficial for people who need help.
LTC Tamara HurstFrankfort, KY
Certified Grief Recovery Specialist
I thoroughly enjoy doing my One on One client work and I will continue to do so as long as I have my Holistic Health Practice. Why? IT WORKS….My clients have had liberating results after going through The Grief Recovery Method with me. Many have made the same comment; I had tried so many other things and nothing worked, but this did!….Even though there are other options for the support of grievers, none of them really move grievers past the pain of loss like the program formulated by John and Russell.
Dhyana RoseWheat Ridge, CO
The Open Rose, Holistic Health Options
Who is it for? Do I need a special degree or career?
Certified Grief Recovery Specialists® cover all walks of life.
Our specialists are men and women of all ages, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. All that’s required is a desire to help other people. If you have a genuine desire to help others this is for you.
All education levels
The Grief Recovery Certification Program is open to people of all educational backgrounds. There are few, if any, traditional high school, college, or graduate programs that teach how to help grievers. So everyone who comes to our Certification starts on a level playing field. We do not require an advanced degree or college background. The only requirement is your desire to help people.
All careers
Many people who come to Grief Recovery Certification training are mental health professionals, clergy, hospice workers, and funeral and cemetery professionals. We also get police officers, teachers and people who work in the community. But also a lot of people come to use because they experienced a terrible loss so want to help others.
What Led You to Get Certified?
Schedule a Call
We'll tell you more about the Grief Recovery Certification Training and answer any questions you have.
What Makes Us Different?
Non-Traditional Groups
Traditional support groups encourage grievers to talk about their pain but don’t always offer (a path to feeling better instead of clear cut solutions). You will use the official Grief Recovery format to guide your participants to take clear actions that will lead them to a happier life.
Straight From the Heart
Grief is normal and natural emotional reaction to loss, but most of the solutions people are taught are intellectual. You’ll guide people from their heads to their hearts, which will improve the quality of their lives. Although the training is partially educational, the solution is emotional.
Loss is our Only Topic
If you’re like most people you relate grief to death, but here are over 40 types of loss people can experience in their lifetime! Since grief is normal and natural we don’t want to confuse it with personality disorders. We deal with grief and grief only!
Who are you anyway?
35 Years and Counting
We have been refining our method for over 35 years. At last count, we have helped over 1 million grieving people between our books, phone support and all of the lives that our Grief Recovery Specialists have touched.
Grief + Recovery
No one used the words grief and recovery together until we did. The only people authorized to use the phrase are Certified Grief Recovery Specialists who attended Grief Recovery Certification training.
We won't ask you to do anything we didn't do ourselves.
The Grief Recovery Institute® started when our founder John W. James’ son died over 35 years ago. He searched for help, but couldn’t find anything to help him recovery from his heartache.
You Can Help People With Over 40 Life Events That Cause Grief
There are over 40 types of grief experiences, which mean there is no lack of people who need grief recovery. Friends and family of grievers will all benefit from your skills.
There are millions of grievers in the US alone.
You get referrals
We do have offices around the world, but our goal is to match you with grievers in your community. You will be registered in our national app, so grievers in your area can easily find you.
Partner with local organizations
Partner with local churches, hospices, funeral homes and others in your community and reach even more people to help in your community.
Use four formats to help grievers:
Groups
Group sessions are the most popular format. You’ll run 8 week Grief Recovery Method® support groups for people in your community. Formats have been tested for 35 years and have proven results.
One-on-One
One-on-One format uses the same principles from the 8 week Grief Recovery Method® support groups, but is geared toward individuals and is 7 sessions in length.
When Children Grieve Program
Children grieve too. By teaching the grief recovery principles to parents you’ll give them invaluable tools they can teach their children.
Alumni Format
After your initial Grief Recovery work with clients, the Alumni format enables you to continue helping them with other losses from their past.
Common Results People Get Using the Grief Recovery Formats
You Receive Unlimited Support After Your Certification Training Event
Built in safety net
You won’t be left on your own. The formats allow you to follow specific instructions that help grievers. The step-by-step approach gives you a plan of action.
Unlimited free support
You can call us as often as you want for guidance and support.
Member Log in
All Specialists get access to a comprehensive log in area where you can learn more about The Grief Recovery Method and become more effective at helping people. Between articles and videos, we’ll continue to roll out content to support you in your work.
The Benefits of Grief Recovery Method Certification
Become an Expert in your field.
When you become a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist® you are aligning yourself with the worlds experts on the topic of grief and Grief Recovery.
Stay a step ahead of peers.
College offers little to no training on grief recovery. You can offer something your peers don’t and in turn help more people.
Grow your business.
There are over 40 types of losses, which mean there is no lack of grievers who need your help.
We'll supply you with all of the marketing materials you need.
From brochures to business cards, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We have all the literature created for you to use.
Start helping people immediately!
After the 4 day intensive training you’ll have a solid foundation you need to put your training into proactive. In fact we encourage you to get started right away. Practice makes perfect!
Help people in the way that works best for your career and schedule!
You’ll be equipped to run 8 week groups, one-on-one sessions and even help kids! If you don’t want to run groups, that’s fine. Some people come to us to learn more tools to go with their existing businesses. We’ll help you grow your business give referrals and inquiries from all over the United States and world.
We are here for you as long as you need.
You’ll get unlimited free support and direct access to The Grief Recovery Institute for as long as you need.
Save money!
Traditional college can cost thousands of dollars and they don’t even touch on the topic of grief or recovery. And you don’t have to spend thousands on textbooks. You get all our books and training materials for free with the course. Who doesn’t love to save money? You’ll get discounts on all Grief Recovery Method books for the rest of your life. You’ll get free training materials too!
Unlimited support
Keep in touch with what’s going on with unlimited support from our online members community and free updates each month.
Schedule a Call
We'll tell you more about the Grief Recovery Certification Training and answer any questions you have.