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.
“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
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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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"The Grief Recovery Method was a game changer for me. My wife passed away in a very sudden and tragic incident that 1, unfortunately, was a witness to. I was traumatized, at a loss, grieving, and in a very dark place. I tried many different therapy type programs, but they were only minimally effective. / was referred to Crystal Givens and The Grief Recovery Method by a friend; the decision to address my grief and loss was very difficult and extreme 'heart work' but was the best thing I could have done..."
Anonymous
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"Working with Crystal Givens was one of the best decisions I have made. I was struggling with loss and grief and knew that I needed help and support. The grief recovery method that Crystal teaches really works. Her compassion, understanding and knowledge made the process so comfortable. I highly recommend Ebb and Flow."
Deb Muir
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"We met Crystal Givens and signed up for her Grief Recovery Class. In the class we discovered principles that would lead us through the grief process. We were depressed, hopeless and had shut down emotionally, we were just plain stuck a very negative state of mind. Our trust had been broken. I am happy to say that after completing her program we are on the road to recovery from our grief and our joy is returning."
Rick J
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"She was able to guide me through untangling the complex web of conflicting emotions and lead me to a path of healing for this loss and the losses of my past. I can't thank Crystal enough for helping to heal my broken heart."
MB
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"I no longer go to the grocery store and see his favorite bag of chips and start sobbing. I am SO grateful for this program - it has given me tools that I will hold on to for the rest of my life."
HH
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"Crystal with Ebb and Flow COS has a wonderful gift for providing grief support in a gentle and supportive way. She helped me after a painful loss to work through the hardest parts of grief. She uses a specific grief recovery method that gave me tools I know I can use in the future. Best of all, she did so in a way that is sensitive and empathetic which was immensely helpful during a difficult time. I am so glad I found her and thankful for all she did for me."
Lisa Dykhoff
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"The Colorado Springs community is blessed to have someone like Crystal helping so many of us work through the most difficult times. I reached out to Crystal for help. My "backpack," (I called it) of grief wasn't getting any lighter with time. Instead I felt like life was getting harder as the months went on without my loved one. This program was the first time I actually sat down and was educated about grief. I learned tools on how to best navigate day to day life after my world was turned upside down one too many times. Ebb and Flow was a safe place and I would recommend it to anyone. Thank you Crystal!!!"
Eleanor Sheahan
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"Absolutely outstanding work being done here. I would very highly recommend Crystal to help you through whatever tough grieving time you are going through. This program is outstanding and works."
Orion Wagner
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.
I love the outdoors!
