My name is Suzette Porter.  My mission is to explore, discover and uncover the myths many of us have grown up believing and practicing, as it relates to grief.  Unresolved grief is an area that continues to remain unaddressed.  Unfortunately, many of us have been operating with misinformation and behaviors modeled before us that were not helpful or left us feeling incomplete.

My passion comes from my own experiences with the loss of my father 25 years ago. His passing left a void and impacted my life forever.  Later, over a course of eight years, I lost ten students to various traumas causing a plethora of emotions.  I remember our school being filled with crisis team members for a few days and then they disappeared.  Daily routines resumed, teachers returned to instruction, exams administered, extracurricular and sports activities went on as usual.  But these traumatic deaths, empty seat in the classroom, lunchroom, gym, library or lockers were anything but normal. 

I felt compelled to share with others, bringing a sense of awareness, acknowledgement and purpose, giving the grief a place and a voice. I decided to devote myself to bringing a sense of purpose, understanding, and closure.  This would move us from a sense of confusion, isolation and acting normal, to an empowered place that opening up and freely acknowledging loss, grief, and closure to unresolved grief, to a place of assuming responsibility for their personal recovery. 

I have worked very closely with students, parents, staff and families in the Chicago Public School district.  I have a unique perspective on working with all types of individuals and it is my purpose and mission to move them from a place of pain caused by numerous losses, trauma, and grief to a place of inner peace and grief recovery. 

I attended many professional trainings that dealt with trauma, grief and loss; the best holistic method I have found is The Grief Recovery Institute® founded by John W. James and Russell Friedman.  John W. James and Russell Friedman have been working with grievers for more than thirty years using this grief recovery method. 

In addition to my passion for helping others with their loss and grief, I attained my life coaching certification equipping me with additional skill to continue to help clients as they move from recovery to discovery. We will work together developing a relationship of trust in a non-threatening environment; free from judgment or criticism.  Please join me as we navigate together, using the Grief Recovery Method, to address your personal needs associated with grief.

Services Provided

I provide services in the Chicagoland area, including the western suburban areas. Services include Individual One-On-One, Groups, Helping Children Deal with Loss Program and Pet Loss.