Testimonials For One-on-One Support
The program has helped to work through my grief and see that there is a better and brighter future. The loss of my close friend put me into a slump, but this program pushed me to complete that part of my life and learn to move forward while still remembering my fond memories of my friend.
One-on-One Support03/30/2023Participant in Saipan, MP
One-on-One Support03/28/2023Participant in Murfreesboro, TN
LeAnzar (Facilitator) was a great help to me and showed immense empathy and compassion for my loss.
One-on-One Support03/25/2023Participant in Las Vegas, Nevada
Talking my grief through with my facilitator and sharing my thoughts as dispassionately as I could will I hope enable me to have a more positive view of my situation
One-on-One Support03/24/2023Participant in Gomshall, Surrey
When I was first given the book by a counsellor, I reluctantly started to read it. I was reluctant because I had researched grief and believed that my problems were centred around grief, but I didn't really fit into the model of the 7 stages of grief...so I gave up on the idea of grief until I started to read your book. When I first starting reading the book, I was skeptical because the book initially seemed too simplified, and I initially thought that the book would really have nothing to offer me, but none the less I continued to read it, and do the activities. What I didn't have was a partner to work with and initially, as part of my scepticism, I thought it will be fine to do this on my own. I got to the part of the book where I would write my loss graph and I dutifully mapped out my loss graph, and suddenly when looking at it on paper, I realized the magnitude of my losses and grief. It suddenly became very clear to me that, indeed, I am suffering deep loss and grief. It was also at this point that I realized that the book had a great deal to offer and in fact was not oversimplified. In fact, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to do this alone, and that I needed direction and guidance to find my way through this ocean of grief. I emailed the institute and was willing to travel from Canada to take a workshop or do sessions with someone qualified in this method, and my email was promptly returned saying that there was a grief specialist in my area. I reviewed the different counsellors and choose one. I have not looked back. Marcia and I started at the beginning and even that was helpful because I realized how much misinformation I had and I also began to really think about my STERBS in meaningful ways. When I initially did the work on my own I was dismissive, so it was only once I got into the loss graphs that I fully understood how those first chapters are critical to my understanding and my relationship with grief and loss. I came to this program after suffering a deep loss around my divorce three years ago. I was consumed by this loss, stuck, paralyzed for 3 years...I couldn't navigate my way through it. I was critical of myself that still after 3 years, I was not moving on. I told my story of grief and woe so often to anyone who would listen that even I was tired of my story of grief and woe. Interestingly, I did not begin my first relationship graph with this loss, I started with the loss of my relationship with my father. A toxic relationship that I suffered through my entire lifetime, and still suffered through as I approach 60 years old. Going through this process and dealing with the relationship of my father has released me in ways that I never imagined possible. Dealing with this particular grief has started to ease me from my stuckness. The image I like to use is for the last three years I have been encased in sand with only my head sticking out. Unable to move, but after dealing with this first and important loss, the sand is falling away, I can move a little, there is some ability now to make decisions and to feel that I am healing. So even though I haven't yet dealt with my most significant loss, dealing with this one has provided me a way to begin navigating my life post divorce. I will be forever thankful that I no longer carry the burden of the toxic relationship with my father into my future. Releasing me has saved me and now I am feeling confident that I can move forward and there is hope and faith that the future will be ok. I have not felt that the future holds anything but despair for three years now. I am going to be ok. My next step is to deal with my loss of my marriage, but funnily enough, I am changing the name of the loss. Initially I called it "Steve", but now I realize that it is not "Steve" that I lost, but my marriage. I don't have to give up "Steve", but I do have to let go of wishful thinking, the hope of more or better as it relates to my lost marriage. I was reluctant to even deal with this loss a couple of months ago because it was still so raw that I thought I wouldn't be able to do it, but now I know I can, and more importantly, I am ready to do it. I also know that once I start the process of dealing with the loss of my marriage that many of the other losses will also come into play. Financial loss, life style loss, friends and family loss...an ocean of losses I will be released from so that I can move forward without laying a claim to what could have been. It is this "could have been" that I am grieving...and just knowing this has released me of my despair.
One-on-One Support03/23/2023Participant in Calgary, Alberta
The program helped me to move forward but never forget Sergio. Some of the homework was hard and I honestly didn’t have any interest in it but then I found that everything just poured out. Anna Cook my facilitator was absolutely amazing.
One-on-One Support03/22/2023Participant in Solvang, CA
One-on-One Support03/22/2023Participant in Keesler AFB, Biloxi , MS
I learned how one incident affects another situation without us even realizing it. Once I figured that out, I got to work in each situation individually.
One-on-One Support03/16/2023Participant in Wheatland, Wyoming
When I lost my father, a part of me died with him. Nothing seemed worth while and I had lost all motivation. I honestly had no idea just how much hurt the soul could endure and for the first time in my life I was truly lost. The Grief Recovery Method was very clear, to the point, very relatable and sincerely helped me unclutter my feelings and the madness in my mind so that I could process the immense amount pain in my heart. The Grief Recovery Method helped me realize that I was NOT alone and there are tools to help move forward in a healthy manner. The homework assignments are intellectually simple but emotionally challenging, which is good. I didn't cheat the process, had an open heart to what ever feelings came and took the time to follow through. They really helped set me on a correct path for heathy acceptance and helped clarify all my feelings and scattered thoughts. My life has forever changed. I still cry, I still hurt, and to some degree I always will. But that is because my love for my father and the love he had for me will always be present. I smile more and able to let the the dark thoughts pass and let the warmth come whereas before I was trapped in a dark, cold, hell-ish night. If you have experienced loss I strongly recommend the Grief Recovery Method! Don't cheat the process and have a open and honest heart. Please don't suffer in silence!
One-on-One Support03/15/2023Participant in Pacific Beach, CA
The idea of completing grief should be taught from a very early age. The incorrect strategies we are taught create so many more issues on top of the grief. I did this program because my therapist recommended it as my only way forward, either I complete it with her, or I complete it elsewhere, because I kept coming back with the same complaint: I'm not happy and I should be. I have a great life and on paper, I know this. But the feelings of joy and happiness were so muddled and I couldn't figure out why. I knew I had experienced many major losses, most in the last few years (I practically used the list of types of losses as a checklist if I'm being honest..death of pets: check, death of parent: check, major job loss: check, divorce: check, moving: check...you get the idea.) With no mental health insurance, I chose to complete it elsewhere, but I did it so that I could go back to therapy with her. It started as a means to an end. I can't say I was skeptical, I just simply "had to get it done." She and the GRM specialist I did the program with told me it was life-changing. I figured if I could stop being sad about one or two things, it might be a success. What happened was so much more. Although the homework often felt silly, each step of the way I learned something new about myself and each step, even the earliest ones, helped me realize I could close the door on some of the losses I'd experienced. Learning these steps of completion, in a structured Step A, Step B, Step C way puts the chaos of emotions into a useable, organized box so you can unpack it the right way. I've already recommended this to multiple people and I will continue to do so. There isn't a person out there that can't benefit from this information and having the skills to possibly complete grief as it happens instead of letting it accumulate can only create happier humans. Happier humans are better humans and the world needs that.
One-on-One Support03/15/2023Participant in Garden City, KS
This program really helped me to not only think about the grief that happened recently but things that happened throughout my life that I may not have dealt with. It gave me tools to use and to contributor use throughout the remainder of my life.
One-on-One Support03/12/2023Participant in Vancouver, Wa
The program has aided me in letting go of guilt over the past and having a stronger self image.
One-on-One Support03/07/2023Participant in GARDEN CITY, KS
Learn a lot about myself.
One-on-One Support03/07/2023Participant in Columbus, OH
One-on-One Support03/04/2023Participant in Murfreesboro, TN
One-on-One Support03/02/2023Participant in Chicago, IL
I attended the Grief Recovery Method in San Diego with Deborah Gallo. At the time I had recently lost a close friend of mine and was experiencing panic attacks from the denial and burying of my feelings. In what I thought would be a fluke I googled "grief therapy" and Deborah's name popped up. I reached out, made an appointment, and began healing. Deborah was an amazing counselor. She was compassionate, empathetic, and I felt she truly listened and understood what I was saying. We worked through the program together and she slowed down for me when we realized the resurgence of emotions was too great for me and everything was moving too fast. She helped me find a newfound sense of peace that was previously absent from my life. I would highly recommend her to anyone struggling with grief or loss. She is a gift to anyone that seeks her help and I truly believe she was destined for this line of work becomes it comes so naturally to her.
One-on-One Support03/02/2023Participant in San Diego, California
I did not know what to expect. I was apprehensive, nervous, and scared. I waited 8-9 months before reaching out to Julie Blitzer. She was professional and wanted to get started that week, and I almost shelved the entire idea, but so glad I didn’t. In starting with Julie, I was fragile, vulnerable, and still in a place of loss and horrific grief. Immediately, Julie made me feel safe and at ease. She continued making me feel this during every session that we spent with one another, as well as each phone call and email. She still does. Julie allowed me to gain strength and self-confidence slowly. Julie shared a story of her loss and grief, which underscored that she knew she knew exactly how I was feeling and what I was going through. Of course, she knew all the tricks we play with ourselves as we say we are doing ok, not trying to cry, holding it all together, holding in our feelings, and trying to be strong. But with her help, I learned to open up and dig deep with my emotions rather than ignoring them. I knew this was going to be a process, and it wasn’t going to be easy. I made a commitment to do this work and to make sure I received the most out of my sessions. It has been about 8 weeks since I completed the program, and I must say, I think about the readings and tools that Julie shared with me every day. There are still days that are not easy, but when those harder days fall upon me, I am able to work through them and know I am going to be ok. Julie made me feel connected to something greater than me. I didn’t feel so lonely and scared, but more empowered to overcome this difficult time in my life. This is not to say when I have another loss, which there will be more, I will be able to reflect back through my Grief Recovery Methods and use their offerings. Being mindful of how vital strong communications are, it has placed me in a mindset to say what I have to say to those whom I love and admire. I want those to know how much they mean to me and how grateful I am for knowing them. It’s a gift to live one’s life of purpose in peace. I’m still working at it, but know I will get there someday.
One-on-One Support02/27/2023Participant in Stratford, CT
I have been holding on to hurt by my parents for a long time. This program has helped me let go and move forward
One-on-One Support02/26/2023Participant in Garden City, KS
The Grief Recovery Method has empowered me by teaching me skills i can use on my own as well as seeking out support from a grief buddy. I am so relieved i will continue to use and pactice what i have learned. The awareness is golden.
One-on-One Support02/21/2023Participant in Milwaukie, Oregon
One-on-One Support02/20/2023Participant in Vancouver, Wa
One-on-One Support02/15/2023Participant in Courtenay, BC
I found it very helpful to have the built in accountability to follow through on each week's homework. As the emotional content increased in the homework, it was very good to have a deadline to be working towards for completing homework exercises which were emotionally charged and difficult to process mentally. I also appreciated the non judgemental, listening only, nature of providing my completed homework to the counsellor. I tended to stray from the main focus at times and there was no judgement or time constraint on me when this happened. The step by step method was good, although, I misunderstood the intent of completing the week one homework before my first session so in essence I completed 2 sessions in one session because of this. I did not find this challenging as I had read ahead in the book anyway.
One-on-One Support02/15/2023Participant in Courtenay, BC
Going through the program helped me to see my situation in a new light and to learn to express those unsaid thoughts and words. It gave me the tools to continue going forward. I know it will help me in future dealing with grief.
One-on-One Support02/10/2023Participant in Houston, Texas
Yolanda was AMAZING!! She was very open about her grief and was very patient and understanding throughout the program.
One-on-One Support02/07/2023Participant in Chicago, IL