Pauline Alten, BS, CADC II

Hi! My name is Pauline Alten, and my family and I currently reside in San Diego, CA. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University. During my engineering career of almost 20 years, I discovered I was passionate about working with people with the intent to support, as a manager, in Engineering Training and Organizational Effectiveness. Over the years, at my church, I have had the pleasure of working in ministries, specifically with teens and adults, which has increased my passion to help others, especially after completing my first class in the Grief Recovery Method in 2015. As my interest grew, I completed school and certification programs as a Life Coach, Addiction Counselor, and an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist. The Grief Recovery Method was a support group offered as a suggestion by my doctor. I went into the class hoping to learn how to cope with the loss of my career, my fiancé, and my mom, all within 3 months. This initial class helped me understand the challenging emotions I was experiencing and taught me that the coping mechanisms I indulged in unconsciously to numb the pain were unhealthy and not helpful. Emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, and fear were difficult emotions to navigate, and I was given tools that worked to find relief from these emotions. I also learned about the myths of grief that I was taught growing up. I no longer isolate because no one wants to see me cry or deal with it by keeping busy, or believe time will heal, or just ignore my feelings. This program teaches you a repeatable and evidence-based method with simple tools to help you discover undelivered emotional communications about what you are experiencing. Since taking that class, I have seen a drastic change in how I experience grief. It has changed my perspective, healed my shame, and made it easier to deal with change. It’s taught me how to better communicate my emotions and improve my relationships because I’m able to be present instead of being distracted by grief and the unmet hopes, dreams, and expectations from loss. As an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist, I am excited to offer Support Groups online and in person. Please contact me for an initial consultation. I will look forward to your call!!