A Proven Path Through Grief

with Crystal Givens, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist 

Compassionate support. A clear, step-by-step process. Real healing rooted in connection, trust, and care.

Grief can feel like being lost in a world that keeps moving—while yours stands still...

It’s one of life’s most painful and misunderstood experiences.

Grief is a natural response to loss. The problem is, most of us were never taught how to navigate it.

Grief is about a broken heart, not a broken brain.

Healing begins with emotional support: being truly heard without judgment, analysis, or the urge to fix.

Sadly, much of what we’ve learned about grief is intellectual, and often leaves us feeling even more isolated.

But there is hope.

Recovery is possible.

You’re not broken—you’re grieving. And while it may not feel that way, healing is within reach.

Recovery means feeling more like yourself again—free to live, love, and breathe without the weight of unresolved grief.

This isn’t about forgetting or pretending everything is fine.
It’s about feeling lighter, more present, and no longer defined by emotional pain.

Grief isn’t something to “get over.” It’s something to move through—with the right tools and support.

The Grief Recovery Method® is a proven, step-by-step process that helps people move beyond loss.

It’s not therapy—it’s an educational program with practical tools for healing from any type of loss.

“Time heals all wounds” isn’t true—what matters is what you do with that time.

Your path to healing can begin today and you don’t have to do it alone.

Grief Recovery Evidence Based Program Badge

“My research has told me that the value of the GRM program lies in the fact that it was created by grievers for grievers and that is why I believe (and now have shown through my research) that it works.”

— Dr. Rachael Nolan

“Crystal is extremely passionate in helping those who have experienced loss

and working through their grief. She is honestly one of the most empathetic people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Crystal is with you every step of the way through this process and lays out the program in a very easy to follow, step by step method... The Grief Recovery Method is a sensational program and has helped me tremendously. Thank you Crystal, for showing me how to say goodbye to the pain and making me a better person as a result. You're the best!” —DC

Types of losses

Many times, we don’t even realize we’re grieving. 

Grief isn’t just about death. In fact, there are more than 40 life events that can stir up feelings of grief—many of them overlooked or misunderstood.

Grief is the natural emotional response to loss or change of any kind. It often shows up as a mix of conflicting emotions when something familiar ends—or when life shifts in unexpected ways.

Below are just some of the experiences that can lead to grief.

This isn’t a complete list, and no loss is more or less important than another.

  • Whether sudden or expected, losing someone important—whether a person or a beloved pet—can bring deep emotional pain and unresolved feelings. Not all relationships are loving or easy, but they often hold meaning we don’t fully recognize until they’re gone. Every loss is unique, and so is the grief that follows.

    • Death of a loved one

    • Suicide

    • Loss of a pet

    • Divorce or separation

    • End of a romantic relationship

    • Marital conflict

    • Estrangement

    • Child custody battles

    • Domestic violence

  • Job changes, financial stress, or legal issues can shake your sense of control and stability. Even positive shifts can stir up unexpected emotions and grief.

    • Job loss

    • Career change

    • Retirement

    • Financial strain or loss

    • Bankruptcy

    • Foreclosure

    • Relocation or moving

    • Military deployment

    • Legal issues or disputes

  • Even joyful or expected changes can bring up grief—especially when they don’t unfold the way we imagined.

    • Starting or ending school

    • Graduation

    • Moving or relocation

    • Marriage

    • Pregnancy

    • Deployment or separation due to military service

    • Holidays that feel heavy

    • Milestones that don’t feel the way you thought they would

  • Family dynamics, parenting struggles, and unspoken heartbreaks can carry a quiet, persistent kind of grief. These losses often go unseen—but they are deeply felt.

    • Custody battles

    • Domestic violence

    • Adoption (including placement or unfulfilled expectations)

    • Empty nest

    • Parenting challenges

    • Shifts in family dynamics

    • Loss of safety or stability at home

    • Divorce or separation

  • These are the losses we can’t always see—but we feel them deeply. They can shake our sense of identity, purpose, or emotional security. This kind of grief is often overlooked or misunderstood—but that doesn’t make it any less real.

    • Loss of trust

    • Unmet expectations

    • Loss of safety

    • Loss of faith

    • Changes in church or spiritual involvement

    • Loss of identity or purpose

    • Loss of dreams or future plans

    • The ending of an addiction

  • Changes in your health or body can bring grief, especially when they affect your independence, identity, or sense of normalcy. These losses deserve to be acknowledged with care and compassion.

    • Life-threatening diagnosis

    • Long-term or chronic illness

    • Change in mobility or physical abilities

    • Personal injury

    • Infertility

    • Pregnancy loss

    • Loss of control over your body (due to illness, aging, or medical treatment)

    • Change in a family member’s health

Chubs painting (small bird, branding for Ebb and Flow)

A lot of the struggles we face day to day—feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or even just emotionally drained—can often be traced back to grief we’ve never fully processed.

When we don’t take time to face that grief, it can quietly shape how we see ourselves and how we move through life. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to carry it by yourself. Finding someone to talk to, whether it’s a counselor, a trusted friend, or a support group, can make all the difference. Healing begins when we stop pushing the pain aside and allow ourselves to be supported through it.

Clients’ Kind Words

Since becoming certified, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of individuals through all forms of loss—death, divorce, estrangement, life transitions, childhood trauma, broken trust, and the quiet grief of unmet hopes, dreams, and expectations. I also support those mourning the loss of a beloved pet. These are just a few examples; the Grief Recovery Institute recognizes over 40 distinct types of loss.

Grief can show up in countless ways, and no loss is too small or insignificant. I work with people who are tired of “just coping” and ready to do the deeper work of healing. Some arrive feeling numb or stuck; others are in the thick of heartbreak. Wherever they are, my role is to provide a safe, compassionate space where they can speak their truth, learn practical tools for recovery and begin to feel whole again.

I especially love working with those who, like I once did, have carried pain they didn’t even recognize as grief. Helping them name their losses, find their voice, and reclaim their lives is the heart of this work.

It’s why I do what I do.

If you’re struggling with grief, I invite you to reach out. It would be an honor to hear your story and walk alongside you.

Crystal with her dog Zeus in a mud run
Orange Paint stroke

I love the outdoors!

Read more about me here.