Testimonials For Cindy Cook
The loss I worked on was the ending of a greater than 20 year friendship. Although I chose to let this friendship go over 7 years ago I was still struggling with the hurt and pain of this significant loss. It has gotten easier over time, but there was still something keeping me from being completely at peace. I try to be mindful and not fear being honest in all of my relationships. The Grief Recovery Method (GRM) with Cindy taught me to be even more mindful, and really the importance of being truly honest with myself and my relationship. I learned that I held things in that I shouldn't have and now have clarity on the things I do hold inside. I am a person who can reflect and look within myself. I learned that there's still more to learn regarding my self-reflection. I realized that over time, my friend doesn't deserve my energy. More importantly, I realized that I deserve my energy. These were like Oprah's "Ah-Ha" moments for me my last day of the program. I learned so much about Forgives and Apologies and looking at how I could choose to clear these out by not leaving any negatives attached to them. I learned to really give time to my apologies, and reminded that my forgives are for me and they are silent. I found the ability to really set them down which allowed me to heal my unresolved grief. Cindy is compassionate, competent, empathetic, kind, inviting and warm. She provided an environment that allowed me to have the courage to be vulnerable to speak and feel my truth. I felt heard and seen. Doing the program with Cindy was the best gift I've ever given myself. It wasn't easy for me, and some days I didn't want to go because of fatigue, pain or because I had moments of peace and didn't think I needed it anymore. I'm thankful I did this for myself and completed my loss. After completing my friendship loss through GRM with Cindy, I finally feel completely calm and at peace. .
One-on-One Support03/09/2024Participant in Vancouver, Washington
Support Groups01/16/2024Participant in Vancouver, WA
I was absolutely amazed at the growth in myself, from beginning to end, with this course and the facilitator I worked with. I had no idea there were so many types of loss and grief and the impact it has on me daily. I gained a huge insight about why I do certain things while trying to cope and manage my emotions. Just learning how to identify my feelings beyond more than just mad, sad, angry, frustrated, etc. was an awakening. Being able to find a word to describe what my feelings were was very freeing. I feel like this class is so much more than just learning to recover from significant grief and loss and being able to manage how I move forward with life. It teaches a healthy life skill that I think every individual can benefit from. I wish I had been exposed to this type of tool much much earlier in my life, it would’ve made a huge difference. Before the class even ended I could feel my emotions untangling and I was applying these methods in my everyday relationships. I noticed a much improved ability to maneuver through challenging situations and a more concise vocabulary to speak my feelings and be understood as well as better communication in return. This class was a life saver for me…legitimately. I would suggest anyone take it who’s ready to let go of the pain of the past and feel better prepared to meet life’s challenges head on in the future. My facilitator was Cindy Cook and I couldn’t rave any higher about her. She was such a blessing to me.
One-on-One Support06/14/2023Participant in Vancouver, WA
This program gave me a whole new perspective on what grief actually is and how there are so many different ways it can come up for people. I learned lots of different ways to deal with and become complete with my personal grief.
One-on-One Support06/12/2023Participant in Burlington, Ontario
Cindy is an amazing facilitator, her personal input was invaluable. Due to my disability I do not type well. feel free to call me @360-430-8802, sincerely, Sam
One-on-One Online Support03/01/2023Participant in Kelso, WA
This experience has helped me get unstuck, get rid of anxiety, frustration and anger I have been carrying around preventing me from moving forward in life. Due to this therapy I now feel like I have my initiative back and have a new positive perspective on life and my goals. The tools Cindy shared with me I will continue using to improve myself. I am so glad I was introduced to this program
One-on-One Online Support01/05/2023Participant in Keller, TX
Helping me identify what grief is and how it holds one down. Navigating through the world wading through unresolved grief is a tough way to live, and having someone knowledgeable and compassionate to rescue me from the waters has made a huge difference in my outlook and activity level. I feel freer and more able to move through the world the way I want rather than the way I have been held back.
One-on-One Online Support09/23/2022
I thought I was an open book until I realized I wasn't. Cindy extracted things from me that I didn't know were there. It's time to re-write my narrative and with the tools Cindy gave me, I can do that!
Support Groups09/16/2022
I have completed my 2nd with the help of Cindy Cook. Cindy had an amazing ability to help bring to the surface what had been deeply immersed in me for so long. I didn’t realize initially that a 2nd loss would be in my future, but I see now how the layers of losses are intertwined. I am so very grateful to be free of more baggage that I have been carrying that was never mine to carry in the first place. I am looking forward to the possibility of working through a 3rd loss. I cannot describe the lightness I feel as a result of clearing of my container. I deserve to feel as happy and loved from within as I can be. Working through my 2nd loss has brought me to a whole other level of freedom.
Support Groups09/01/2022
I have completed my 2nd loss with the help of Cindy Cook. Cindy had an amazing ability to help bring to the surface what had been deeply immersed in me for so long. I didn’t realize initially that a 2nd loss would be in my future, but I see now how the layers of losses are intertwined. I was so inspired by the personal growth as a direct result of working through my 1st loss, that I chose to dig even deeper. I completed my 2nd loss around having been molested as a 4 year old little girl. I am so very grateful to Cindy. Her ability to provide a safe space for me to process what happened to me nearly 50 years ago has been priceless. I am aware today in a way that I have never been aware before. I have been repeating behaviors based in shame and guilt that I had no idea of. I am so very grateful to be free of more baggage that I have been carrying that was never mine to carry in the first place. I am looking forward to the possibility of working through a 3rd loss. I cannot describe the lightness I feel as a result of clearing of my container. I deserve to feel as happy and loved from within as I can be. Working through my 2nd loss has brought me to a whole other level of freedom.
Support Groups09/01/2022
For decades I struggled with anger, resentment and conflicts over the relationship with my mother. I entered the program to find help in grieving the loss of my husband only to discover that there are many kinds of losses. When appropriately guided each one can be processed healthfully and let go. I now have the skills to work through several relationships that have burdened me. I know that each one that I process will liberate me and restore my power to me.
One-on-One Online Support07/27/2022
Words cannot express my gratitude for Cindy and the Grief Recovery Method. I am 52 and I woke up one morning with an overwhelming need to forgive my mother. I had no idea that grieving would have anything to do with forgiving someone. The GRM helped me to see that forgiving my mom included grieving a loss of a mom, even though she is still alive. If it hadn’t been for the recommendation of my friends, I would have never been able to experience this turning point in my life with Cindy and the program. My work with Cindy was done virtually and her authenticity and ability to be present made it possible for me to feel as if we were in her space in Washington. I felt safe and with a professional. The virtual experience was never an issue. In the past, I have seen counselors and never really reached a “closing” point on my issues. The formula of the program specifically addressed my loss of a childhood/mother in 8 sessions. After reading reviews on the main GRM website, I was wondering if my loss was appropriate for this method. So many of the comments were centered around loss of a husband or marriage or specific person; things/people that were “over/done”. The GRM addressed my loss of a childhood with precision and authenticity. My mom is still alive. I am so grateful that I didn’t need to wait until she was gone to find peace and forgiveness. I don’t know what our relationship will look like in the future, but all that truly matters is that I have finally found the peace in my soul that I have longed for. There were specific structured program exercises every session and to be able to have Cindy as my guide was truly a magical experience. Cindy’s ability to be emotionally present and connected to heart and soul was incredible, inspiring and safe. She truly has a heart of gold and I felt as though I could trust her from the moment we met. I feel blessed to have found her and the program. The friends that recommended Cindy told me that the work they did with her and the GRM changed their lives as well. I have a history of 30 years in a recovery program and have done much work around self growth. This work has been with counselors and well as self help. The GRM addressed more layers of the onion than I was even aware of, and I was able to clear my soul and find more peace living my life than I ever imagined possible. Cindy was the conduit of finding my peace and freedom. I truly feel a sense of freedom from a season of my life. It is over and the time is now, I am free to choose and I had no idea that I had been confined to the prison of my past. I had no idea that I was confining myself as a result of events in my past. I had no idea that the work I did with Cindy would allow me to be forever changed. The GRM provided me tools to ensure that the future will not hinder my progess as well. While you can follow he program on your own, I cannot recommend choosing to follow the path of the program with a GRM practitioner enough. Cindy was the practitioner that truly made he difference. She was able to provide a perspective that would not have been possible on my own. Her presence as a guide and a witness was truly a blessing. I am forever grateful. I will be recommending her for the rest of my life. If you are willing to do the work that is asked of you and are ready to let go and truly move on, this is the program for you. I have changed the path of my life and I am forever grateful to Cindy for walking the path with me.
Support Groups07/20/2022
The program helped me truly understand the extent of how a specific loss can have such foundational and long-term effects on my quality of life. While I was convinced that other losses would be more important because they were more recent, it became obvious through the program that the relationship with my father, beginning at the very start of my life, laid the groundwork for negative behaviors and mindsets. It was deeply rooted in my identity and I never would have realized just how much cause and effect it had on other losses in my life if it were not for my program. The program gave me a safe, emotionally intelligent space to work in. The readings were relatable, informative, understandable and reassuring. Reading John and Russel's experiences was reassuring that things could be better for myself. The book really made me think and reconsider what I knew about loss and grief. It gave me activities to work on that felt applicable and affective. As a visual person, it was nice to work on some projects that I could see visually which benefitted me personally. When initially wanting to seek counseling, I was really wanting to find a program or person that would work with me through my problems and not just be a listener. Everything really helped me and I knew I needed to pursue the program when I was introduced to it.
One-on-One Support07/11/2022
One-on-One Support05/14/2022
This is outstanding program. I wish I knew about it a long time ago!
One-on-One Support05/10/2022
One-on-One Support04/07/2022
I did not realize the weight of grief/loss that I was carrying around. This program has had a profound impact on my life, I feel lighter, as if I can fly. It has provided me with a life-long tool to continue working through grief/loss of the past, present, and/or future. I cannot say enough good things about it, put the work in and you will be greatly rewarded. I am beyond grateful!
One-on-One Support03/31/2022
My 3rd Grief Recovery Method left me lighter and has propelled me into embracing a new life. All experiences are different. All were necessary for me. My facilitator is gifted in her practice. She called me to pull out areas I don’t know were showing. Areas fogging my clear vision. I did the homework and it was daunting, but so very empowering. Every morning I wake grinning knowing I get to live my life without the weight of unresolved grief. Amen
One-on-One Support03/16/2022
I have been hoping and praying for years to find proper tools and methods to assist in going back to the unresolved grieving places. This class is a game changer!
One-on-One Support02/17/2022
Second grief journey, check and check. The lightness I feel can be specifically identified by the word "vapor". Not a readily used or thought of word for me. As God often does, He illuminates my path by one powerful message that is so distinctive its undeniable in truth and undiscernible to anyone but me. Then right when I'm smiling through a long grocery store line, a soul appears and whispers to me, "you are like a vapor". Can you imagine living your entire life with shame so heavy permeating every decision, thought, and action? I'm going to begin my 3rd journey in the next 2 weeks. Endless joy, peace, and learning comes flooding in, soaking every cup full of kindness and love. My husband of many years is supportive and grateful. Incredibly difficult this work. It takes time. It takes courage. It takes a tremendous amount of trust. Cindy (GRM Facilitator) is smart, humble, creative, gracious, supportive, engaging, and respectful. She listens with her eyes and leads with her heart. She asks the perfect questions that stay with you like a hiking friend on your uphill journey. Just when you finish your thought that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, she adds levity, and gifts you with that unbelievable smile. I can only say that her support is like a huge mirror. She holds it up for you to see yourself. Full of grace, beauty, and endless love.
One-on-One Support12/16/2021
In this approach to recovering from grief in comparison to standard 'counseling, I felt completely free to expose how my loss felt. Sometimes I cried, sometimes I laughed and sometimes I felt profound loss. Instead of getting a, 'Why does that make you laugh?' question back on something I might say, I got an acknowledgement of, an acceptance of, the emotion. Having someone who welcomed all my memories felt like I was able to pour them into a vessel which would keep them safe. It is hard to explain how wonderful it was to not get platitudes in response to my emotions. Don't tell me it's okay or that you understand, because it's not and you don't. But when you allow me to identify the joys, the pain, and the uniqueness of my daughter, you've help me give her flight. I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to go through an experience which has set us both free.
One-on-One Support11/11/2021
The GRI program was the beginning of a lifelong journey I have been seeking. Being an extremely emotional woman, I embraced the process and trusted the journey. Cindy was an amazing facilitator that encouraged me to be vulnerable. It was brutal at times and she was always accessible to me when I contacted her for guidance. I was overwhelmed and didn't know which loss in my life to "work" on. I was very unsure if I was in the right place. Me writing with pen to paper pages and pages of my grief and pain was cathartic. Reading and processing the program with clear and guidance from Cindy was essential in my success. I can share my first journal entry the day after I read my final letter to Cindy. It speaks to my heart and it rings truth. A disguise has been eliminated and the light is emanating from places in this source I didn't remember existing. All familiar, they are dancing, bursting, and radiating from the truth that was born. It feels like new life, but I know it. No introductions needed. It's movement expands like sparkles bursting and bouncing into this vessel formally used as a taskmaster to fear, shame and guilt. All excused, all released, escorted by the giver of light. Covered in brilliance, there was no place for them to remain. Humbled by the cleansing, yet full of loving rays warming me to tears of joy and gratefulness, I run. I trust to more of me. I want more. Then, the sweet whisper of His blessing. "I am with you".
One-on-One Support11/03/2021
One-on-One Support10/19/2021
This program has opened my eyes to the many missinformations about grief and how to actually process it instead of staying stuck in cycles. I feel so much more free and capable to make decisions now that I have completed the GRM.
One-on-One Online Support01/25/2021