Grief & Spiritual Care
+ Grief Care: Individual \ Groups
+ Marriage Celebrant
+ Funerals \ Celebrations of Life
Weekly Wednesday Drop-In
1:30 to 3:00
Sturgeon Falls St. Andrew's United Church
(opposite Giant Tiger on Holditch, back entrance)
Just show up or contact us:
Jeff 705 493 9784 call or text
Esther text then call 249 991 0035
Anne email your number [email protected] for bilingual callback
Weekly Wednesday Drop-In
1:30 to 3:00
Sturgeon Falls St. Andrew's United Church
(opposite Giant Tiger on Holditch, back entrance)
Just show up or contact us:
Jeff 705 493 9784 call or text
Esther text then call 249 991 0035
Anne email your number [email protected] for bilingual callback
Join our Your Grief Matters Team of
Esther, Anne, and myself Jeff
to talk about grief.
It is a weekly support time in a safe space.
We three will offer themes.
Always time for Q & A.
As Certified Grief Recovery Specialists
we also share about
The Grief Recovery Method
option for your growth & healing.
See also
Facebook yourgriefmatters/estherforhope
Click to Add Title
Click to Add Title
November 2022
Coping With Loneliness Around The Holidays
BY
ESTHER PEREL AND MARY ALICE Barb Miller
Feeling lonely around the holidays can make us feel as if something is wrong with us.
Everybody else seems to know how to be happy, how to be together, how to be festive, merry, and bright.
But feeling lonely around the winter holidays is extremely common.
And even more so during this year of isolation.
Before we can digest our Thanksgiving food, that familiar cheer creeps in.
Twinkling lights on trees, menorahs and kinaras in windows, classic films on every channel, carols ringing out in the streets—these holiday symbols can inspire the best feelings in the world, but they can also feel oppressive when we’re finding it difficult to catch the spirit.
It can seem as if everyone else occupies their own winter wonderland with people they love, money to buy food and toys, and even time to volunteer.
This wrapped-in-a-bow fantasy is rarely the reality for most people.
More often than not, the holidays are a time of increased stress and loneliness—even for self-proclaimed holiday fanatics.
The National Alliance for Mental Illness cites “extra stress, unrealistic expectations, [and] sentimental memories that accompany the season” as sources of loneliness around the holidays for everyone, but especially for those of us who struggle with mental illness.
Esther Perel - Your Guide to Relational Intelligence
Esther Perel - Your Guide to Relational Intelligence
The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.
2022 -2023
"Your Grief Matters" is our TEAM name
when we offer The Grief Recovery Method.
Together as Certified Grief Recovery Specialists
we offer programmes
in One to One or Group formats.
We are based in North Bay & West Nipissing area
and work various other areas as well from there.
Moving forward
Look for YourGriefMatters.com to go live.
Check back here AND/OR:
~ Your Grief Matters facebook page (Esther Pennell, hope).
~ Anne Hampel will post / comment periodically in preceding option as she offers support options.
~And www.griefrecoverymethod.com provides Grief Recovery Institute information as well as each of our microsites.
2022 -2023
"Your Grief Matters" is our TEAM name
when we offer The Grief Recovery Method.
Together as Certified Grief Recovery Specialists
we offer programmes
in One to One or Group formats.
We are based in North Bay & West Nipissing area
and work various other areas as well from there.
Moving forward
Look for YourGriefMatters.com to go live.
Check back here AND/OR:
~ Your Grief Matters facebook page (Esther Pennell, hope).
~ Anne Hampel will post / comment periodically in preceding option as she offers support options.
~And www.griefrecoverymethod.com provides Grief Recovery Institute information as well as each of our microsites.
3 sets of Wedding Pics from their 2022 ceremonies
will be posted here a s a p
3 sets of Wedding Pics from their 2022 ceremonies
will be posted here a s a p
Meanwhile...Some weddings from prior years.
And you can call me to discuss yours!
Meanwhile...Some weddings from prior years.
And you can call me to discuss yours!
G R I E F care
GRIEF GROUPS.
8 two hour sessions (in person or sometimes online).
GRIEF COUNSELLING.
One to one:
Zoom / Telephone / Agreed upon safe place.
Contact me with your questions:
705 493 9784 with text
(Or use CONTACT button near top of page ---- right of "HOME" button).
Visit: griefrecoverymethod.com
M A R R I A G E celebrant
WEDDINGS 2022.
As covid restrictions reduce,
options are opening up again.
Let's talk.
Contact me with your questions:
705 493 9784 with text
(Or use CONTACT button near top of page ---- right of "HOME" button).
Visit: griefrecoverymethod.com
M E M O R I A L care services
CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE / FUNERALS
Graveside, Memorials, Online Services, wherever and whenever it suits you:
funeral home or personal home, cottage or lakeside, in a field, on the water, or wherever makes sense to gather and honour the one you care about.
Contact me with your questions:
705 493 9784 with text
(Or use CONTACT button near top of page ---- right of "HOME" button).
Visit: griefrecoverymethod.com
D
D
New GRIEF RECOVERY
Support Groups will be formed
once we have a sufficient core number interested and ready.
Eight 2 hour sessions.
Contact"
Esther 249 991 0035
Anne 705 840 6300 (bilingual)
Jeff 705 493 9784
A non refundable Registration Fee secures your space once you are ready to do the work.
We have provided 8 session groups
over 14 time in Near North venues since 2015
with various team member combinations of
Team members.
There are also plenty of awesome "alumni" of its method out there. Their testimonials appear below and online at HQ website.
You can see some of their
Testimonials further below
My awesome current teammates Esther Pennell and Anne Hampel are ready to commit again to every participant start to finish (in between sessions, and even beyond them sometimes!).
It is a profound process which produces growth and healing. Don’t wait.
We are in West Nipissing at present and eventually Huntsville and New Liskeard are on the radar.
Again, this is an EIGHT SESSION 2 HOURS PER WEEK journey into grief, what it is, and discover from your own and history of losses how to move forward into a recovery action. It results in a tool to complete pieces of your grief NOW, and, for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Its evidence-based method coordinated worldwide from the Grief Recovery Institute available for over 40 years around the world now.
Don't wait to attend to your broken heart pieces..
See our newly evolving website:
Visit
www.griefrecoverymethod.com (HQ Institute)
Also: Your Grief Matters on Facebook
(by Esther Pennell)
https://www.facebook.com/search/
What Makes Us Different?
Our team of Grief Recovery Experts are dedicated to helping the world recover from tragic loss and overcome grief. We specialize in non-traditional groups, we speak straight from the heart, and the heartache resulting from loss is our only topic.
Non-Traditional Groups
Traditional support groups encourage grievers to talk about their pain but don’t always offer a path to recovery. You will use the official Grief Recovery format to guide its participants to take clear actions that will lead them to a happier life.
Straight From the Heart
Grief is a normal and natural emotional reaction to loss, but most of the solutions people are taught are intellectual. You’ll guide people from their heads to their hearts, which will improve the quality of their lives. Although the training is partially educational, the solution is emotional.
Loss is our Only Topic
If you’re like most people you relate grief to death, but here are over 40 types of loss people can experience in their lifetime! Since grief is normal and natural we don’t want to confuse it with personality disorders.
Who are we anyway?
40 Years and Counting
We have been refining our method for over 40 years. At last count, we have helped over 1 million grieving people between our books, phone support and all of the lives that our Grief Recovery Specialists have touched.
Grief + Recovery
No one used the words grief and recovery together until we did. The only people authorized to use the phrase are Grief Recovery Specialists who attended Grief Recovery Certification Training.
T e s t i m o n i a l s
About Jeff Archambeault
Grief Recovery® Specialist + (Advanced C.P.E. / M.Div. / B.A. Sociology)
From surveys by Grief Recovery Institute www.griefrecoverymethod.com
received about clients' experiences:
T e s t i m o n i a l s
About Jeff Archambeault
Grief Recovery® Specialist + (Advanced C.P.E. / M.Div. / B.A. Sociology)
From surveys by Grief Recovery Institute www.griefrecoverymethod.com
received about clients' experiences:
Alumni / Grads of our area's groups wrote:
★★★★★5.00 Stars It helped me to understand the stages of grief and how to cope. I am forever grateful to this program. It should be advertised more as I was lucky by chance and heard from an acquaintance. I would highly recommend it. 03/28/2021
★★★★★4.00 Stars Sharing with people I like to say I can trust. I want to start fresh on my own. I know I have to change my life. I'm more confident, my self esteem is better. I don't think about the bad things in the past. I was very negative. I'm positive and making decisions. 03/28/2021
★★★★★.5.00 Stars I was able to find the core loss that I believe to be the catalyst for many other losses in my life. Being able to complete that fundamental loss through the 8 weeks, has provided much healing. The encouragement to stay the course through some difficult passages was outstanding. The program's structure and composition and the facilitators' fidelity to its application, made the journey a safe and valuable one.03/28/2021
★★★★★5.00 Stars During my dance with grief I have learned through my group sessions the importance of being heard and being safe in doing so. I have the learned the significance of sharing and being connected to another, dancing the same dance but perhaps to another genre of music. Yes, we are all unique in our grief journey but yet have a shared sameness for the loss of one's beloved. I have come away with the knowledge that letting go of hurt and anguish does not mean to forget my loved one. In contrast, her memory will live on forever in my thoughts, and in my heart. The healing has begun!
Participant in Support Groups West Nipissing. 12/20/2020
★★★★★4.00 Stars It helped me put words to my feelings and made me aware that my feelings were normal. 10/28/2020 North Bay, On
★★★★★4.00 Stars I think I have already explained in other sections of the survey, perhaps incorrectly, but the bottom line is this program was an amazing support and came at the right time for me in my grieving journey. It has given me the tools to begin to heal my heart and I cannot believe the peace and relief of emotional pain it has provided. Not just the facilitator, who was excellent but also the other participants or co-grievers especially during the one to one sessions where we could talk about and share the pain of our losses. There were no negatives to my taking this grief support program only positives and I would strongly recommend this course to anyone with any unresolved grief. It made a world of difference to me .10/28/2020 in North Bay, Ontario
★★★★★4.00 Stars The program has help me a lot just by the sharing with others, and listening to what others have to say also.. I don't cry every moment now .. but I do get my moments but not as frequently as before I started this program. 04/17/2020 North Bay, ON
★★★★★4.00 Stars it was a challenge for me that is for sure at the start. had some laughs and tears. definitely proud of myself that I completed it. 06/23/2019
★★★★★4.00 Stars The program gave me the tools to use where I can apply to many other losses in my life. It has shown me there are many people who grew up not being able to show their emotions and that is just not right. We need to express ourselves. This program will also help in other areas in my life such as personal relationships. I would recommend the grief recovery method. 06/23/2019
★★★★★5.00 Stars The program helped me realise how much emotional baggage I was still carrying around inside. It also taught me the skills needed to address loss and get through it, and put it to rest in a positive way. EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE!!!! 03/27/2019 at North Bay, Ontario
★★★★★4.00 Stars I entered the Program apprehensive, and concerned that I would need to share personal information with a group of people. The setting and make-up of the Group was non-intimidating, encouraging and friendly. I soon felt comfortable and felt the progress doing assignments and exercises in each session, building skills and confidence. I felt safe and validated with partner sharing, and in group discussion. In 8 sessions, I feel I have the basic tools to apply to all grieving relationships and will continue to apply the principles learned in The Grief Recovery Method. Thank you for this opportunity. 01/02/2019
★★★★★3.00 Stars I would have benefited from a short personal interview with the facilitator before the 8 week program.01/02/2019 Participant in North Bay, Ontario
★★★★★4.00 Stars It has helped me recognize things that I do that might offend or hurt people without thinking about it and not doing it consciously. I know how to act better so I can avoid those situations. Thank you team. 01/02/2019 Participant in North Bay, ON
★★★★★5.00 Stars I was curious and had been looking for answers for a long time, this program gave me more than expected... Thank you. 01/02/2019 Participant in North Bay,
★★★★★5.00 Stars When I started the program I wasn’t sleeping very much, now things are much better,I’ve taken a second class and things are working out quite well.
06/18/2018 Participant in West Nipissing , ON
★★★★★5.00 Stars GRM has opened my heart and mind and given me the tools to navigate through many obstacles that used to keep me paralyzed in fear, by working the steps I was able to centralize my confusion and put a finger on exactly what the fuel was for my fire, I now have an extinguisher for multiple types of fires.10/20/0018 North Bay, On
GRIEF RECOVERY® SUPPORT GROUPS
Anne, Esther, & Jeff currently co-facilitate groups as a
Team of Certified Grief-Recovery® Specialists Team
Jan.2022: Current 8 session set in North Bay (CLOSED)
Mar. 2022: New group at The Villlage at CANADORE College
Mar. 2022: Find us also helping weekly Nipissing Serenity HOSPICE
- Seasoned by Personal Losses
- Educated in the School of Life
- And Professional Credentials to guide you through
8 Two-hour Sessions
Questions & To Register: Call /Text
Jeff
705 493 9784 + Facebook: Grief and Spiritual Care
Esther
249 991 0035 + Facebook: Your Grief Matters
Anne
[email protected] (Bi-lingual)
Also Visit:
Put in Postal Code or City to find us or someone nearer to you
I collapsed at 42, not knowing my own grief from incompletely recognized and un-communicated feelings. At that time I was what I'd now call (with humour) "male challenged". I was a human DO-ing, not a human BE-ing. Give. Give. Give. Do Do. Do.
LOSSES & CHANGES included a
Life role (1998)
Mom (2012
Employment (2014),
My buddy of 25 years (2015)
and ---
My Best Friend / Wife / Life Partner JOAN (2017)
Followed immediately by
Dad (2017)
My home (2018)
and many, many more...
We each have a story. Yet, I am still standing and learning to live with loss, change, and grief.
GRIEF GUIDE PHRASES evolved. I coined them:
- "I am Ok, except when I am not";
- "I don't know if I am coming or going: so I just do both";
- "I am strong enough to be weak" ( = vulnerable).
- "I hurry if I have to, but cannot rush"
- "Anybody can learn from easy"
- "It's okay to feel sorrow-y for your SELF"
What I want to convey is this:
I survived at first, and today am remarkably recovered.
I feel alive, despite, through, and because of it all.
I was able to be open to my grieving.
And, I continue in my passion to accompany others through all of theirs.
I am a Chaplain at North Bay Regional Health Centre again as well as in the Community.
I have professionally assisted others in psychiatric & general hospitals, correctional settings, previously in University and Churches.
My life prepared me for grief care
having always noticed it and named it for others,
and then for myself!
Society often rushes us or wants us to skip the process. It may not know how to deal with it . Resources may be limited.
My Life Learnings:
- Kindergarten (how to share)
- Sociology ( People & Culture)
- Master of Divinity (God talk)
- Institute for Black Catholic Studies (Sing & Move Spirituality)
- Clinical Pastoral Education ( Professional spiritual healthcare)
Post Kindergarten and the School of Life:
Grief Recovery Method deepened my ability to BE OPEN and SHARE & TALK about feelings, and accompany people to the DEPTHS of their pain.... and onward from sheer survival to feeling alive again through both the pain-tears and a joy-laughter. Don't do it all alone. I tried that. Check it out. www.griefrecoverymethod.com
One tool I use is Grief Recovery Method:
structured, clear, methodical, evidence-based,
and most importantly, available!
It helped me through mind bending losses,
and became an effective primary tool to help others through their waves of crazy-making, soul wrenching, spirit crushing life changing losses and events.
EVIDENCE-BASED: The Grief Recovery Method
Update Note (2/7/20): Dr. Nolan's primary email to contact her with questions is now [email protected]
For the first time ever, our research team has established evidence that the 8-week GRM program works to influence components of grief and grief recovery!
What this means is that the GRM is (now) evidence-based and can be referred to as an evidence-based program.
The following links to our published research on the program will provide you with the evidence to show when asked, “Is the program evidence-based?”
Access to the 1 st published article, Measurement Development and Validation for Construct Validity of the Treatment: The Grief Recovery Method® Instrument (GRM-I), can be obtained through the American Journal of Health Education by clicking the following link:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19325037.2019.1571962
Citation:
Nolan RD, Hallam JS. Measurement Development and Validation for Construct Validity of the Treatment: The Grief Recovery Method® Instrument (GRM-I). Am J Health Educ. 2019; 1:e1-14. doi:10.1080/19325037.2019.1571962.
Access to the 2 nd published article, Construct Validity of the Theory of Grief Recovery (TOGR): A New Paradigm Toward Our Understanding of Grief and Loss, can be obtained through the American Journal of Health Education by clicking the following link:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19325037.2019.1571964
Citation:
Nolan RD, Hallam JS. Construct Validation of the Theory of Grief Recovery (TOGR): A new paradigm towards our understanding of grief and loss. Am J Health Educ. 2019; 1:e1-12. doi:10.1080/19325037.2019.1571964.
For additional information on the evidence-based grief recovery program or if you have questions about the evidence, please visit the Specialist Resource Center of the GRM website and select the GRM Evidence-Based Research tab to learn more. You may also contact the lead researcher, Dr. Rachael D. Nolan via email at [email protected]
GRIEF GROUPS.
8 - two hour sessions (in person or sometimes online).
GRIEF COUNSELLING.
One to one: Zoom / Telephone / Meet in agreed upon safe place.
WEDDINGS 2022.
Options have opened up again. Let's talk.
MEMORIALS & CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE.
Graveside, Memorials, Online Services, wherever and whenever it suits you:
Funeral home or other institutions
Personal Property such as home, cottage or at the lake
In your field, the Bush, or on a street corner,
Wherever makes sense for you to gather and honour the one you care about.
Contact me with your questions:
705 493 9784 with text
(Or use CONTACT button near top of page ---- right of "HOME" button).
Visit: griefrecoverymethod.com
* * Covid Protocols (when required during in-person sessions)
- Come with no symptoms
- Certificates of vaccination when required OR rapid testing at some venues)
- Your own mask to wear throughout
- Bring your own beverage container
- Follow sanitizing routines
- Keep 6 foot distancing,
- Initial Covid Sign in Register (**Local Public Health Guidelines are what we will follow)
