Testimonials For Sandy Engbretson
The program has given me specific tools to help me come to completeness with different emotions and unfinished grieving. Using the loss timeline and the relationship graph will help me in the future as I wrap up other undone emotional residue.
Support Groups06/12/2023Participant in Sacramento, CA
Not only did I process the loss that resulted from an affair my partner had decades ago, but it has softened how I see everything that was ever painful for me and certainly anything that is current and causing pain. It has made me see things in less binary ways and in much more gradated ways. And also, that I do not need to settle or be passive in anything I find painful. I can work it thru the process and am currently working on several things I discovered on my timeline. Also, hearing my partner's timeline was so powerful. I knew about a lot of them but when you hear it all together and see the timing it is profound and created so much empathy and compassion for him. It does not excuse any pain-inducing behavior but it does help me understand it better and also not personalize it as much. And also, to see my part in the outcome. It feels freeing and empowering. I am so grateful to have learned it.
One-on-One Online Support06/12/2023Participant in SACRAMENTO, CA
I found the program helpful in the following ways: The sequential component parts of the GRM were helpful in expanding awareness of specific relational losses. It offered concepts and tools to think differently about grief (giving up expectation for a different past). I loved the existential nature of some of the tools (I am releasing the pain). And I thought the opportunity to work with another person in a safe and trusting interpersonal context was excellent.
Support Groups05/08/2023Participant in Davis, CA
I definitely feel more at peace regarding the loss of my daughter.
Support Groups05/08/2023Participant in Virtual (San Diego), CA
The depth of the emotional experience of writing, then sharing the completion letter took me by surprise because as someone with 45+ years of 12-step recovery, much of the process up to that point, while different in format from AA 4th-5th steps, felt similar to work I’d done many times before. But reading the letter felt profoundly emotional. The next day I noticed right away that an inner shift had occurred — certain reminders of the past were simply not triggering those unwelcome reactions of contempt, judgment, blame, or ruminative story loops. Most important, a week out from course completion I am seeing unmistakable improvement in the chronic gastritis that brought me to the GRM. I had suspected that unresolved grief was a making me physically ill, and now feel I have confirmation. I’m very grateful and will refer friends to the GRM without hesitation.
Support Groups03/29/2023Participant in N/A, N/A
the group setting was great for me because of my resistance to doing the homework. Sandy was very supportive & encouraging when I contacted her between classes to address that reluctance
Support Groups11/09/2022Participant in winters, CA
It just ended yesterday and I am still processing. Much improvement has occurred but there are still some leftover feelings of grief so I will have to continue the process in some way.
Support Groups11/09/2022Participant in San Diego, California
I had 1st come in 2001 to work the program on my late wife. I got to work with Russell Friedman and ended working on my Dad who was still alive. I went home and continued to work with a GRM counselor on my wife and on others. When my brother died I knew where to go. I hadn't done this in years and decided to reach out to the Institute. I chose Sandy b/c of availability and cost. She was so worth it.
Support Groups11/09/2022Participant in Los Angeles, CA
Helped me move beyond grief and feel joy and happiness again.
Support Groups06/02/2022
The program provided new information related to grief and loss. It provided a framework to examine and review a past relationship in which there were things left incomplete, things left unspoken. Those things meant that I carried the burden of grief into my future relationships and experiences because I had not taken the time to feel the loss and process the loss and the emotions around the loss. I did feel a sense of completion once the recovery letter was written and shared aloud and look forward to applying the program/process to several other relationships.
Support Groups06/02/2022
Sandy Engbretson is extremely knowledgeable and an AMAZING faciilitator!
One-on-One Online Support04/24/2022
I worked on the relationship with my Dad, who is still living. It has helped my relationship with him so very much. I understand so many things about our relationship that I didn't understand before the class. I saw some patterns that happened several times that I didn't recognize before this class. It has helped me realize my part and how I can move forward with a much better relationship with him.
One-on-One Online Support04/14/2022
This program has allowed me to wring out grief that I didn't even know I had been carrying, not to mention the parts that I knew that I was carrying. It's like going through 8 months of therapy in 8 weeks. Not only would I recommend this program to others, I already have. Above and beyond my own healing, I also feel like I have a much better understanding of how to help others - or at least respond to them - when they're going through something challenging in their own lives.
One-on-One Online Support02/18/2022