Grief Recovery & Healing from Loss Resource Guide

Grief is a natural response to loss, but healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means learning to carry the pain with compassion. Whether you're facing the death of a loved one, a breakup, estrangement, or identity loss, therapy offers a supportive space to process emotions, make meaning, and rebuild your life at your own pace.

Grief Recovery & Healing from Loss

Book Resource

  • Cover of "The Grief Recovery Handbook," featuring purple background, subtitle "The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses." Revised edition addressing trauma and PTSD by authors John W. James and Russell Friedman.

    The Grief Recovery Handbook

    A practical, evidence-based program for moving through grief and finding peace after a significant loss.

  • Book cover of 'It's OK That You're Not OK' by Megan Devine, featuring a white background, bold blue text, and a wooden chair on the right side.

    It’s OK That You’re Not OK

    A compassionate guide that validates the depth of grief and rejects toxic positivity, offering real support for mourners.

  • Cover of the book 'Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief' by Joanne Cacciatore, featuring a green succulent image.

    Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief

    An emotionally honest and poetic guide for anyone navigating deep sorrow, especially after traumatic loss.

  • Book cover of 'Permission to Mourn: A New Way to Do Grief' by Tom Zuba with abstract orange and yellow swirls.

    Permission to Mourn: A New Way to Do Grief

    This gentle book helps grievers give themselves permission to feel, heal, and transform through the mourning process.

  • Book cover of 'The Journey from Abandonment to Healing' by Susan Anderson, featuring a sunset background. Text includes a quote by Rabbi Harold Kushner and a subtitle about surviving the stages of love loss. Revised and updated edition.

    The Journey from Abandonment to Healing

    A powerful guide for healing after emotional abandonment—whether through divorce, rejection, or loss.

  • Book cover of "How to Fix a Broken Heart" by Guy Winch, featuring two red band-aids forming a heart shape, with a teal background and TED logo.

    How to Fix a Broken Heart

    Blends psychology and compassion to address the overlooked grief of romantic heartbreak and other hidden losses.

  • Book cover of 'No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One' by Carla Fine with a recommendation by Frank Campbell.

    No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One

    A deeply personal and supportive book for those grieving a loved one lost to suicide.

  • Book cover of 'When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times' by Pema Chödrön, featuring autumn leaves in the background.

    When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

    While not grief-specific, this book offers grounding wisdom for navigating uncertainty, pain, and emotional collapse.

  • Book cover of "I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye" by Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair. Features a painting of a starry night over a river with a glowing moon. Subtitle: "Surviving, coping & healing after the sudden death of a loved one." Includes a quote from George C. Kandle.

    I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye

    A compassionate resource for those dealing with sudden or unexpected loss.

  • Cover of the book 'Option B' by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant, featuring a red balloon lifting a concrete block. The subtitle reads 'Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy.' A circular label promotes an Option B peer support group.

    Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy

    After her husband’s sudden death, Sandberg explores grief, resilience, and rediscovering hope.

  • Cover of the book 'The Smell of Rain on Dust' featuring abstract art of hands, a face, and a red flower. Includes a quote from Mary Oliver and author Martín Prechtel's name.

    The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise

    A lyrical, indigenous perspective on grief as a necessary part of love and human experience.

  • Book cover of "Grief is Love: Living with Loss" by Marisa Renee Lee, featuring bold, colorful abstract floral design.

    Grief Is Love: Living with Loss

    Reframes grief as a continued expression of love and teaches readers how to live alongside it.

  • Book cover of 'The Other Side of Sadness' by George A. Bonanno, featuring a large water droplet and a praise quote by Daniel Gilbert.

    The Other Side of Sadness

    Presents a research-based view of resilience in grief, challenging the myth of “stages.”

  • Book cover of 'Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief' by Pauline Boss, featuring a partially open door and an empty chair in dim lighting.

    Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief

    Defines and explores losses that lack closure, such as dementia, estrangement, or missing persons.

  • Book cover of 'Sudden Loss, Slow Grieving' by Vanessa Moore, featuring a blue gradient background and a feather illustration.

    Sudden Loss, Slow Grieving

    A gentle, deeply personal book for those navigating unexpected loss. Wiseman blends memoir with guidance, validating the slow, non-linear nature of grief and offering emotional insight for the bereaved.

  • Cover of 'Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief' by David Kessler, featuring a quote and sun imagery.

    Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

    Renowned grief expert David Kessler expands on the five stages of grief to introduce a sixth: meaning. This compassionate guide helps mourners move forward without “moving on,” finding purpose even after profound loss.

🌐 Online Resources

  • Man standing by seaside promoting a grief support video by David Kessler, with a message about providing tools for anyone grieving or supporting others.

    David Kessler – Grief.com

    Home of grief expert David Kessler, featuring articles, books, online support groups, and free grief resources. He focuses on meaning-making and companioning through loss.

    https://grief.com

  • Logo of The Grief Recovery Method with a heart inside a speech bubble.

    The Grief Recovery Method®

    Offers a structured, evidence-based approach to grief healing with online and in-person support programs, books, and certified specialists.

    https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com

  • Logo with the text 'modern loss' in blue, surrounded by an incomplete blue circle.

    Modern Loss

    Blends personal stories with practical advice, humor, and connection for a modern, honest approach to grieving.

    https://modernloss.com

  • Yellow speech bubble with the text "what's your grief?" in black font.

    What’s Your Grief

    One of the most comprehensive grief support platforms. Includes articles, podcasts, webinars, and creative tools for processing grief.

    https://whatsyourgrief.com

  • Open to Hope logo with the text 'finding hope after loss' and colorful arch design.

    Open to Hope Foundation

    An extensive archive of grief stories, expert interviews, podcasts, and articles focused on helping people find hope after loss.

    https://opentohope.com

  • Logo of Soaring Spirits International featuring a stylized bird and butterfly icon above the text.

    Camp Widow (Soaring Spirits International)

    Offers virtual and in-person support for widowed individuals through programs, retreats, and an active online community.

    https://soaringspirits.org

“Grief is simply love with no place to go.”

— Jamie Anderson