My Own Journey Through Grief
My understanding of grief began with a difficult divorce that left me raising my five-year-old twins on my own. My children and I were trying to adjust to the sudden absence of their father from our daily lives while I struggled to build a new life for the three of us.
Those years were filled with fear, anger, and uncertainty. At times, I did not know how I would pay the mortgage or buy
food, and I relied on the generosity of others to help us through. I experienced panic attacks while also trying to reassure two frightened children. One of my children became terrified that I might leave too. I was doing everything I could to help them feel safe while struggling to find that same sense of security for myself.
A turning point came when I found a support group for people grieving the loss of a spouse through death, divorce, or separation. Being with others who understood helped me begin healing. That experience eventually led me to create my coaching practice and dedicate my work to supporting others through grief and loss.
For the past ten years, I have also helped care for my mother. That experience has deepened my understanding of the emotional and practical challenges caregivers face, especially the difficult balance between meeting the needs of someone you love and caring for your own well-being. It has taught me that caregivers need support, understanding, and permission to acknowledge their own needs without guilt.
During more than 27 years of working with people who are grieving, I have learned that healing often begins when someone feels safe enough to tell their story and knows they are being truly heard. With compassionate support and thoughtful guidance, it is possible to rebuild a life that feels meaningful, fulfilling, and hopeful again.
Today, I am happily remarried to a wonderful man whose first wife died many years ago. Listening to his story and sharing in the life he rebuilt has deepened my understanding of the many ways people carry love, loss, and hope forward. Our experiences have taught me that grief is a part of our story, but it does not have to be the end of happiness.
Why This Work Matters to me
My work is grounded in many years of supporting people through grief, loss, and some of life’s most difficult transitions. I bring compassion, practical guidance, and a relationship-centered approach to every person I work with.
I also bring lessons from my own life. I have experienced the heartbreak of divorce and have witnessed the profound grief that follows the loss of a spouse or child. These experiences have shaped how I understand loss and how I support others during times of uncertainty and pain.
I do not believe grief needs to be fixed or rushed. People need a place where they can share their heartbreak, feel deeply heard, and receive understanding without judgment. Sometimes they also need gentle guidance as they face difficult decisions and learn how to manage the days ahead.
Whether you are grieving a loss, caring for someone you love, facing a serious illness, or moving through a time of personal uncertainty, I offer a supportive place to talk openly and find your way forward. Together, we will focus on what feels meaningful and manageable for you, one step at a time, with greater understanding, strength, and hope for what lies ahead.
Certifications
- Bereavement Facilitator, Archdiocese of Newark - 2008
- Life Coach, Coach University, 2004
- Grief Through the Life Cycle, 2009
- Heal Your Heart After Grief w/David Kessler, 2014
- Grief Treatment Toolbox 60 Interventions to Promote Healing & Hope, PESI w/Erica H. Sirrine PhD, 2022
- 10 Core Competencies of Trauma, PTSD, Grief & Loss, PESI Eric Gentry,PhD, 2016
- Bereavement Facilitator, Family Life Ministries, Archdiocese of Newark, 1998
- Understanding the Needs of the Dying, w/ David Kessler, 2015
- End Stage Diseases: Care When There is no Cure, w/ Judy Dobson, RN, MSN 2016
- Life after Anxiety, Replace Fear & Worry, w/ Paul Foxman Ph.D, 2011
- Trauma, TSD & Traumatic Grief, w/ Duane T. Bowers LPC, 2010
- Trauma, & Attachment, w/Kathryn Seifert, PhD, 2017
what’s It Like to work together?
Every person's story is different, and so is every coaching relationship. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to grief or life's transitions. We begin where you are, not where you think you should be.
Together, we'll create a supportive space where you can talk openly, explore what's weighing on your heart, and move forward at a pace that feels right for you.
As we work together, we may focus on:
- Understanding what you're experiencing and making sense of difficult emotions.
- Discovering practical ways to navigate the challenges of each day.
- Finding clarity when important decisions feel overwhelming.
- Honoring your loss while rebuilding confidence for the future.
- Taking meaningful steps toward healing, hope, and renewal.
There is no pressure to have everything figured out. My role is to walk beside you, offer thoughtful guidance, and help you find your footing one step at a time.