Grief is caused by many things, and is not always just associated with death. It can be associated with many forms of loss: estrangement, divorce, caring 24/7/365 for a medically fragile child, and more.
Grief is the normal and natural reaction to change or loss of any kind. And it’s the conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior. Unresolved grief is most frequently about things we wish we’d said or done differently, better, or more and the undelivered communications of an emotional nature when a loss occurs.
Through official certification, On Angels’ Wings team members provide grief recovery services based upon The Grief Recovery Method (GRM), the only evidenced-based grief recovery program in the world. GRM is an action-based, powerful, directed approach to healing from life’s deepest heartbreaks.
The goal of the GRM is to help grievers complete your relationship to the pain, isolation, and loneliness caused by significant emotional loss. People don’t necessarily lack courage or willingness to face their grief, but they sometimes lack proper information and a safe environment in which to do so. By utilizing the GRM, we seek to provide grievers with the tools they need in order to find capacity for happiness again.
The GRM program through On Angels’ Wings is provided in one-on-one or group settings, in-person or virtually. While priority is given to OAW recipients, this service is available to the entire community (we simply ask that participants who are not recipients make a donation to the organization in any amount).
The one-on-one (whether in person or virtual) is done in the comfort of your home or in a private meeting location. This program requires that ther ebe no interruptions during the time you meet each week. For the group program, the main lessons are provided to the entire group, and then the personal work is done in groups of 2-3 people, who are the only ones you will share any intimate details of your loss with. If a virtual group, those small groups will be put in breakout rooms (Zoom). It’s important that, wherever you are when participating virtually, it’s private and you won’t be interrupted. If the group is in person, OAW will arrange for a private meeting location (for example, at the OAW studio for Springfield groups, or in someone’s home or a privately rented space for other service locations).
See the Certified Specialists tab to learn more about each of our providers and who might be the best fit for you. You can also learn more about the program in the video below.
The organization requires that participants cover the cost of the $12 accompanying book, and requests a donation to On Angels’ Wings at the end of the program. See the testimonials below. Currently available scheduled programs are listed under the Grief Recovery tab above. Or you can contact us to arrange for an individual schedule with one of our specialists.
Testimonials from Program Graduates
“The Grief Recovery Method has been a great step in my walk with the grief and loss of my baby. It allowed me to take that extra step forward to grieve in a healthy manner, providing me with the strength and support I needed to move forward and grieve appropriately. This has opened my eyes to some things that I’ve held onto, and some unhealthy habits I had allowed myself to walk into without knowing it. It brought inner struggles I wasn’t aware of to light. I would highly recommend it to others who have struggled with a loss or any kind of past hurt. Michelle was very open and empathetic towards my feelings and listened intently to what I had to say. She never made me feel ashamed or embarrassed in any way. She explained the steps in detail and always answered any questions I had. She was very supportive and understanding.”
Jamie Kuss
Mommy to Gracelynn – Stillborn August 2018
“At first, I felt really horrible showing up for grief group because I have my child and shouldn’t be ‘grieving’ anything. But man, was I surprised to find out that this journey truly has been full of grief for us. Grieving the moments we missed, grieving the decisions we had/have had to make, and grieving the life we thought we would have with our child. Grieving the fact that our child is forever sick with only a mended heart – no cure.
We put it off and put it off – thinking therapy for the situation wasn’t for us, or that we wouldn’t be able to take it seriously because it’s not the kind of grief you think of when that word comes to mind.
Our losses through the journey were so validated. We were made to realize how important it is to allow ourselves to miss what should have been. We finished the session with a letter full of forgiveness, apology, and emotional statements. I cried. I cried a lot. The feeling of reading that letter is something I can’t really describe, but I haven’t felt this way in almost two years, and it’s so awakening. I feel like myself again, and not consumed by my child’s diagnosis — and that…man I needed to feel like that again.”
Caitlyn Smiley
Mommy to Bentlee, Congenital Heart Defect
“The grief recovery program definitely helped me navigate and connect with my feelings regarding my grief. It also helped me disassociate my negative coping mechanisms with the real feelings of love and longing for my children.”
Emily Rowden
Mommy to Malcolm & Alice