GRIEF RECOVERY METHOD®

Grief is the normal and natural reaction to significant emotional loss of any kind. While we never compare losses, any list would include death and divorce as obvious painful losses. Our list also includes many others; retirement, moving, pet loss, financial and health issues, etc.

The range of emotions associated with grief is as varied as there are people and personal­ities. There is no list of feelings that would adequately describe one person’s emotions, much less an entire society.

Grief is individual and unique. As every relationship is unique, so are the feelings and thoughts each person will have about the relationship that has been altered by death, divorce, or for other reasons.

While grief is normal and natural, most of the information passed on within our society about dealing with grief is not normal, natural, or helpful. Grief is the emotional response to loss, but most of the information we have learned about dealing with loss is intellectual.

The intellectual myths lead to  incorrect ideas about dealing with loss ,  There are  six myths that are so common that nearly everyone recognizes them. I have yet to meet anyone who has called into question the validity of any of them, have you?

• Time Heals All Wounds
• Grieve Alone
• Be Strong
• Don’t Feel Bad
• Replace the Loss
• Keep Busy

Recovering from loss occurs when we discover and complete all of the undelivered communications that accrue in relationships. We are all advised to “let go,” and “move on” after all kinds of losses. In my experience most people would "let go," " get over it,"  and "move on"  if only they knew how.

Completion of pain caused by loss is what allows us to let go and move on. Moving on requires  a series of actions that lead to completion. First, it is important to look at and release some of the ideas or myths that we have tried to use with loss, that have not resulted in healing. Then move into the action steps to complete the relationship.

The Grief Recovery Method® provides the correct action choices that help people move beyond the pain caused by loss. It is an eight-week program that creates a safe environment in which to look at old beliefs about dealing with loss; to look at what losses have affected your life; and to take new action steps that  lead to completion of the pain attached to each loss.

The Grief Recovery Handbook – The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses, including Health, Career, & Faith (released by HarperCollins in 2009), and an accompanying format, both written by John W. James and Russell Friedman, founders of the Grief Recovery Institute®, are used as texts for the Grief Recovery Programs.