Doris A. Bourgeois Turner did not become a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist for the title. While having dealt with the death of my parents, sibling and other relatives, this journey is , however, rooted in an experience of attending the funeral of a young man who died unexpectedly. Sitting in the sanctuary during his service I noticed "deep raw emotions" of family and friends. I was definitely impacted by young children who were having difficulties understanding what was transpiring. The young man had been cremated; and the urn with his ashes or a portrait was not assembled on a small table, draped with a white cloth, placed in front of the pulpit. There were only two white candles in a vase and one long stem white rose on the table. There was so much pain, incompleteness, tears, frustration, confusion and anger of what was a promising young life that others felt was taken too soon.

Years earlier, I read an advertisement regarding Grief Recovery Method (GRM) but due to other commitments, I  was unable to attend the training. Glancing through another Social Work Journal, I noticed the same advertisement. While reflecting on the young man's funeral, I was led to call GRM; and was therefore inspired to attend the grief recovery training. While preparing myself to travel on a different pathway; my goal is to help those struggling with losses, myths and misconceptions about grief. I will further share with them how GRM helped me understand my losses and perceptions; and through implementing various techniques, I was able to transition to a new level of understanding, wholeness and completeness.

My Grief Support groups will be provided in the spring and fall of each year in Ocoee, Florida. In person group sessions are currently prohibited due to COVID-19.  Virtual small group sessions will be comsidered.

I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a certified Grief Recovery Specialist, a certified Grief Counseling Specialist, and a certifed dean of Christian Education. I am a graduate of Grambling State University in Louisiana; I hold a master's degree in Social Work from SUNY at Albany, New York; a master's in Community Mental Health Counseling, Long Island University, CW Post Center; a certificate in Theology from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, a diploma in Christian Education under the auspices of the Sunday School Publishing Board (SSPB), Division of Christian Education Accreditation and Credentials, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, and a certificate in Grief Counseling from Evergreen Certifications.

My career includes over 34 years of experience in working with people living with developmental disabilities and other mental and emotional needs, under the auspices of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, now the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). I was statewide coordinator for OPWDD's Family Care program, a residential option providing services for persons living in private homes with families throughout New York State.

I have conducted numerous grief support group  programs while residing in New York.