David Brinker, M.Div.

My name is David Brinker. Like so many others I have experienced different kinds of loss over the years. In a short period of time, my father-in-law died, I moved to change jobs, I faced a change in financial security, a friend completed suicide, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law died, I experienced a physical trauma resulting in a serious life-threatening health problem, my father died, my mother had to go to a care facility and then she died, and the best dog I ever had died. I even felt a loss over ways my religious community hurt me.I didn't know what to do with the feelings caused by these losses.  The confusing feelings felt like I was carrying around a bag of unwanted rocks.  Often I would try to ignore these feelings and just do my best to go on. I found this didn't work, because I was growing numb and distant from those I cared about. I was afraid it would be my new normal. I looked for help from several trained professionals in various fields, and I searched the internet for information that might help me. I certainly grew more aware of the names of some of the rocks in my bag, but nothing I tried brought lasting relief from the weight of the troubling feelings. My bag of unwanted rocks was growing heavier.Then I found the Grief Recovery Method Institute online. I made the decision to seek out the help of a certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist and took all the steps outlined in the method. I used to think grief was mainly connected with death and divorce. Now I’ve learned how grief is the normal and natural reaction to a LOSS OF ANY KIND. I also understood how some of the well-intentioned things people said to me just added to the hurt.  I even learned there are over forty different kinds of loss. Each one can easily add to the bag of emotional rocks we carrying around. Now I have the tools to live a better life without the weight from any of  my losses. I valued the help I received so much I wanted to offer it to others. I have become a certified specialist in the Grief Recovery Method. I was trained by Cole James, the Executive Director of the Grief Recovery Method Institute, which has been providing these tools and action steps to people for over 40 years.I currently offer support groups in the York county area, to help others with their losses. My sessions are offered in a group setting of up to 15 people. I follow the Grief Recovery Method and gather the group together once a week over an eight-week schedule.In my 40+ years of professional ministry as a clergy person, this is the approach I have found which provides the best tools to actually help people with their losses. It goes beyond awareness of troubling issues to proven action steps that actually help lives change. It can even help those who find it dificult to trust God following a loss. (The Grief Recovery Method is non-sectarian.)I look forward to making a connection with you.  Please visit my website at https://davidbrinkergrms.wixsite.com/mysite  David