We all will grieve if we have had
people in our lives, friendships or love.
It's one of the toughest parts of living.
I became a grief counselor back in 2009 after living with the loss of a number of important people in my life. By 2011, I started looking for a course like this...
It wasn't only me looking for this type of program... I was hearing from folks that they had all these barriers to getting the support they were seeking... time, location, work schedules, family obligations.... They were looking for something like this too... something flexible, something that would easily fit into their life at a time they were hurting so much.
Fast forward to now... I waited and I didn't feel comfortable to wait any longer... I created Your Friend in Grief to be just that...a friend in grief that has been there, knows about grief, and you can trust will tell it to you straight with care and compassion.
Since 2009, I've helped thousands of grievers through Transformative Griefwork by integrating
- grief education,
- realizing various forms of grief expression,
- meaningful exploration of relationships, and
- offering unique coping tools that they could use right away.
Your Friend in Grief provides all that information in a way so that YOU can apply it to YOUR LIFE.
You can expect:
❤︎ Daily Lessons for 6 Weeks with a day set aside as a Reflection Day and with email reminders sent directly to your inbox with a link to take you to the program. ***Be sure to accept emails and marketing information when you enroll to insure you receive the emails.
❤︎ Useful tools like website links, videos, handouts, and activities to guide you in your grief.
❤︎ Bite size information that is easy to understand and apply to your new way of living. Each lesson is tailored to how our grieving minds can take in information.
❤︎ Focus on better understanding your personal grief experience through learning, explore all sorts of aspects of grief, regain connectedness to Loved Ones and adjust to everyday life.
❤︎ Various topics that include different ways of grieving, breaking down all the tasks that need to be done in the weeks, months and year after a death, coping strategies, remembering, and preparing for anniversaries and special days, just to name a few.
❤︎ You can choose to share your thoughts and reflections within the program with others within the comments for each lesson. You may answer the posted question, share your reflections and upload any imagery you create.
Hear from Julie, Your Friend in Grief
I set out to create a thorough grief program... and I did just that for you.
***NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING. THIS IS A SELF-GUIDED PROGRAM. THE FACILITATOR'S ROLE IS THAT OF A GUIDE, COACH AND SUPPORTIVE COMPANION.
Testimonial
“She understands that everyone moves through and processes in their own way. Her warm and intuitive nature facilitates her ability to cater each session to your specific needs. Julie is absolutely amazing at what she does and I highly recommend her.”
- Autumn
Course Curriculum
- Lesson 1 - Grief Experience Beyond Emotions (6:59)
- Lesson 2 - Different Parts of Grief... (6:38)
- Lesson 3 - Your Personal Grief Journey... (8:56)
- Lesson 4 - Lessons from Past Losses (8:47)
- Lesson 5 - Understanding Intensity of Grief (4:18)
- Lesson 6 - Sometimes we just need a break... (15:53)
- Week 1 Rest & Reflect, my friend
- Lesson 7 - Your Unique Experience of Grief (3:29)
- Lesson 8 - Complex (Sometimes Confusing) Aspects of Grief (16:19)
- Lesson 9 - Should, Would, Could... Let's get those Monkeys off your back! (6:50)
- Lesson 10 - Waves, High Tide, and Tsunamis (8:11)
- Lesson 11 - Splats, Warm Fuzzies, and Pressure Points (3:14)
- Lesson 12 - What's the Evidence (2:54)
- Week 2 Rest & Reflect, my friend
- Lesson 13 - Interwoven Lives (5:32)
- Lesson 14 - Secondary Losses (5:13)
- Lesson 15 - How will I know I'm "doing better?" (5:29)
- Lesson 16 - Capturing Memories and Recognizing Gifts (4:13)
- Lesson 17 - Loved One as a Complete Person (3:37)
- Lesson 18 - Multi-Sensory Memories
- Mid Program Self Assessment
- Week 3 Rest & Reflect, my friend
- Lesson 19 - Values Shape Our Point of View (5:30)
- Lesson 20 - Seeing your loss in the world more than before? (4:42)
- Lesson 21 - Your Loved One All Around You
- Lesson 22 - There is Growth through Grief (4:16)
- Lesson 23 - Explore the Strengths All Around You (10:43)
- Lesson 24 - Expand the Your Circles (10:43)
- Week 4 Rest & Reflect, my friend
- Lesson 25 - Permission to Do Things Differently (5:35)
- Lesson 26 - Getting Real about Attending Events and Holidays
- Lesson 27 - Managing Expectations (2:27)
- Lesson 28 - Introduction to Kind Limits (8:20)
- Lesson 29 - Prepare for Anniversaries & Special Days (4:10)
- Lesson 30 - Ideas to Plan for the Anniversary of the Loss
- Week 5 Rest & Reflect, my friend
When you Enroll...
(this is super important)
Please be sure to accept notifications and marketing emails from the course. I promise to be kind to your inbox... This is important if you want the emails with the link to the program to come to you...
You may have some questions...
I may just have an answer...
When do I start the Your Friend in Grief?
You start the program whenever you choose. The program goes step-by-step for 6 weeks. Day 1 you will gain useful grief information. The program provides tools and info for those first months through the anniversary of your Loved One's death. There are only a few points when time is noted within the program.
How long do I have access to the Your Friend in Grief?
After you receive all the emails, you have lifetime access. Emails come for approximately 6 weeks. During that time you have access up to your current day in the program... this also means that if you take a break, you can always pick back up within the program when you are ready. Because each loss we experience is different, you can always go back through the program if you need.
What if I'm unhappy with the program?
I would never want you to be unhappy with Your Friend in Grief. Within the first 30 days you will receive tools you can use right away as well as info to help you understand your grief. If you are dissatisfied, I offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Just shoot me an email at [email protected] for a full refund within 30 days.
Hi, I’m Julie Blackburn
Let me introduce myself... I created these artful courses for YOU! I know the importance of quality information when you are searching for understanding with your grief. Unfortunately, the internet is full of discussion groups that give misinformation, are a collection of personal experiences, or simply opinion that may distract you from your own growth and empowerment.
You found Your Friend in Grief for a number of reasons. You may be looking for some self-help tools. On the other hand, you may not have resources in your area OR you may not want to participate in groups or workshops due to the private nature of your situation. You are welcome here.
Within Your Friend in Grief, it is completely your choice if you choose to share your thoughts and reflections within the program. There is no pressure.
Your Friend in Grief provides useful information and tools to help you now. I share my experiences from a personal and professional perspective...
I am frequently asked "How do I get through this?"
My response... "Have patience with yourself... it can seem that you are living moment by moment at first.. then you realize you are living day to day. Eventually, the grief changes though you don't ever forget your Loved One."
In all honesty, no one wants to hear this...Your Friend in Grief is the closest online step-by-step guide to grief that I've seen. I've given you the best tools to help you understand YOUR grief proven by my work with own clients since 2009. I've companioned thousands of folks through their Transformational Griefwork.
You don't have to try to figure it out all on your own.
I have had my own personal experience with grief. Sudden death due to asthma, suicide, death due to cancer, loss after long term illness and unexpected accidental death. I know each of my relationships were unique and each grief was equally different.
Life may seem uncertain right now. After significant deaths, my life was different. After caregiving, my life was different. Now, in my understanding of my grief, I am still different. I have and will continue to grow and deepen my relationship with my spirit through these experiences. I'm here to tell you, there is hope.
I decided to make a necessary and rewarding change to counseling and art therapy after caregiving for my own mother-in-law. So, Art Therapy and Counseling are a second career for me that began In 2009. I am licenced for counseling in both Illinois and Indiana and nationally certified as a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Registered Art Therapist. I have presented throughout Illinois and have traveled in the US to present regarding art therapy, grief, and coping. I certainly have the trustworthy credentials though walking beside requires more than that... It takes time, heart and commitment - that's what I'm offering to you.
❤︎ 6 Weeks of Daily Lessons with a once a week Reflection Day.
Various topics that include different ways of grieving, coping strategies, remembering, and preparing for anniversaries and special days, just to name a few.
❤︎ Useful website links, videos, handouts, and activities to guide you in your grief.
Friendly videos delivered in bite-size bits of information that is easy to understand and apply to your life. Tailored to how we think when newly grieving. Reduce the internet overwhelm with direct links to helpful information.
❤︎ Focus on learning, growing your personal understanding, connectedness to Loved Ones and adjusting to everyday life.
I set out to create a comprehensive grief program... and I did just that for you. Your grief is just too important.
***NOTE: Your Friend in Grief is not intended to replace mental health counseling.
Again,when you enroll...
Please be sure to accept notifications and marketing emails from the course. I promise to be kind to your inbox... This is important since you will want the emails to come to you each week...
Hello there,
You have found this program because of a profound loss in your life. There is nothing I can say that will change your current situation. However, I do have information that will help you at this time.
No two people grieve in the same way. There are things we can expect in grief and ways our life changes after the death of someone special. Even if you have experienced grief before, this grief will be different. There is no relationship like the one with your loved one. Even people in the same family will experience this loss in their own way.
It may seem that you will never feel better... I can tell you that I see people in severe despair that do eventually feel better. It takes time, a dedication to yourself, a commitment to your loved one that has died, and a trust in the process. I will share tools that work and you can use right away. I will not rush you in your grief. I will guide you through all sorts of topics to help you grow in your grief. I'm a new friend that you can count on.
Thank you for allowing me to walk beside you. By the end of the program, you will have a greater relationship with yourself. Your life is forever changed, YOU are now different too. Parts of you will always be within you... And it's important to get back in touch with those parts. There are parts that are hurting, maybe overwhelmed, maybe even wondering what's next for you. It takes time to work through these parts and the key is to go at a manageable pace. So, pay attention to yourself... go at your own pace. I'll give you bite size pieces of information - if it's too fast, go slower. This is your grief. I'm here beside you.
You can do this, my friend. My heart is with you.
Your Friend in Grief,
Julie
I'll see you soon in the program.
Your Friend in Grief,
Julie
The First 52
A Year of Weekly Emails After the Death of a Loved One
❤︎ Comprehensive Online Grief Program that follows the progression of a year of grief.
❤︎ 52 Bite-size Lessons that include videos, handouts, and most effective tools to cope in grief.
❤︎ Bonus Material throughout the program.
❤︎ Extend your sympathies for your community, staff, or clients grief. Complete this form to begin the discussion.
BLUE FAMILY First 52
Weekly Grief Emails for A Year for Law Enforcement Professionals & their Families
❤︎ Law Enforcement families have a unique set of complexities as it relates to bereavement and grief.
❤︎ This program is exclusively for law enforcement professionals and their family members.
❤︎ Law enforcement departments, agencies and organizations can complete this form to begin the process by completing this form to speak directly about adding BLUE FAMILY First 52 as a benefit for your folks.