The Grief Recovery Method

What is The Grief Recovery Method?

The Grief Recovery Method was developed in the early 1980s by John W. James and Russell Friedman, two leading experts in the field of grief and loss. Their goal was to provide an effective way to help individuals suffering from grief to heal and regain their emotional balance.

The method is based on a combination of education, support, and direct action principles. The Grief Recovery Method involves providing individuals with the skills and tools to recognize, accept, and express their emotions. It also helps individuals to identify the cause of their grief and to develop the skills to be able to come to terms with the situation which contributes to the loss.

This method has helped millions of people around the world to move past the pain of their losses and start to lead a life of hope and opportunity. The Grief Recovery Method includes a variety of activities and exercises that are used to help people fully experience the grief and move through it, opening the door to healing and hope.

Additionally, this method promotes understanding and developing coping skills as well as establishing healthy boundaries when dealing with difficult situations.

Overall, The Grief Recovery Method provides people with an effective way to cope with their losses, enabling individuals to live with peace and understanding. It has become one of the most widely used grief recovery models and continues to help those who suffer grief to find a path of acceptance and hope.

The Grief Recovery Method

How does it work?

Grief recovery is a method used to help a person cope with losses such as death, divorce, physical or pet loss, and more. It is designed to help a person work through and process their feelings associated with these changes so that they can heal and move forward in their lives.

The Grief Recovery Method begins with a valuation of the individual’s current situation. This is important to understand the person’s history, the kind of loss they are experiencing, and how it is affecting them. This valuation helps to identify any potential unresolved grief issues that need to be addressed when it comes to processing their grief.

The next step of the Grief Recovery Method is to provide the individual with support and education about loss and grief. This helps the individual to understand and to recognize the symptoms associated with grief, and to learn healthy ways to cope and manage their grief.

The third step is for the individual to engage in activities that are meaningful and supportive—such as journaling, drawing, and engaging in physical activity—all of which can help the individual to express their feelings and emotions.

Lastly, participants are encouraged to engage in self-care and nurture all aspects of wellness. This program provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to understand and cope with grief and learn how to move forward. With support and guidance, individuals can build resilience, create a happier life and find peace and solace in the face of loss.

The Grief Recovery Method

What is the format?

7-SESSION 1-TO-1 GRIEF RECOVERY METHOD® PROGRAM

The Grief Recovery Method individual and unique approach to grief recovery will allow you to explore, uncover, and heal your loss(es) at your own pace. With the gentle guidance of a trained Certified Grief Recovery Specialist.

We recognize that everybody’s grief healing process is unique and individual to them. For that reason, you may require more than 7 sessions to complete the program. Our main priority is your emotional healing of the pain in a safe and meaningful way.

Begin To Recover

How soon after loss can you begin to recover?

The timeframe for recovery after loss can vary drastically, depending on the individual and the circumstances of the loss. Healing is an individual process and each person will recover in their own way.

Many people will find that they can start to experience the signs of recovery in a few weeks or months, while others may take longer. In the immediate aftermath of a loss, it is common to experience overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief. However, with time and support, it is possible to begin to move forward.

This can be done through various activities such as participating in coaching, counselling, joining support groups, exercising, journaling, or engaging in creative outlets such as painting or writing. It is important to remember that there is no set timeline for recovery and that everyone’s healing journey is different.

Some individuals may take longer than others to cope with a loss, so it is important to be gentle with yourself and to seek help if needed. As you progress in your recovery, it is also important to be aware of the many emotions and complex thoughts and feelings that can come up along the way.

Misconceptions About Grief

What are the most common one?

The Grief Recovery Institute through its research of the Grief Recovery Method has identified six major myths about grief. These are so close to universal that nearly everyone can relate to them. 

When you read these myths, you’ll probably realize how we’ve been influenced by them all our lives. Yet haven’t taken a closer look to see, if are they actually helpful in our healing journey.

Myth #1: Don't feel sad.

Even though grief and all emotions associated with it are normal and natural. There are many times when we’re told not to feel the way we feel. 

Feeling sad is a normal response to loss. 

We must permit ourselves to feel the full range of our emotions. Without needing to cover them up or bury them. 

You have every reason in the world to feel sad if you’ve experienced a loss of any kind.

myth 1 dont feel sad
the grief recovery method myth 2 replace the loss

Myth #2: Replace the loss.

Relationships with family members, spouses, children, friends, and even our beloved pets are not replaceable or interchangeable. 

We cannot simply replace the loss by getting remarried, having more children, making new friends, or buying a new pet. 

It is relevant that you create space for yourself to grieve the relationship that ended. So you can move forward in the healthiest way possible.

Myth #3: Grieve alone.

Many grieving people tend to isolate themselves based on the false idea that “you don’t want to burden others with your feelings.” 

The most profound truth is that when we get good news, we want to share it with the people in our lives. 

The same is true when we receive bad news; the first instinct is to tell someone. Communicating the truth about how you feel is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself when grieving.

myth 3 grieve alone
the grief recovery method myth 4 time is a healer

Myth #4: Time is a healer.

After a loss, we often hear things like “it just takes time” or “time will heal”. These words give us the false reality that all we have to do is wait and eventually things will be better. 

 

We have met people who have waited 5, 25 or 30 years for their pain to go away and 30 years still wasn’t enough. 

 

The truth is, time in and of itself does not heal your emotional pain. It is what you do, the actions you take within this time, that does the healing.

Myth #5: Be strong.

When grieving, we tend to hide and minimize our painful emotions. With the hope that this will provide strength to those around us. 

The problem with acting strong is that it unintentionally sends a message to others that they need to be strong too. 

The most helpful thing you can do for others is to tell them the truth. About how you feel and be honest with them. 

By allowing yourself to take this action, you give permission for others to do the same.

myth 5 be strong
the grief recovery method myth 6 keep busy

Myth #6: Keep busy.

After a loss, we can have people telling us, “just keep busy” or we may even say to ourselves “if I just keep busy…”. 

The idea is if we can distract ourselves in a whirlwind of activity, another day will have passed since the loss. 

And time can do its job and heal our pain. Which often leads to emotional and physical exhaustion.

 And only causes us to avoid and evade our grief. To truly heal from loss, you must be willing to go through the pain. In order to move past your grief.