Frequently Asked Questions
All The Details!
Q: Who is this group for? This online 8-week group experience is for men struggling with grief, uncertainty, loss, or coping with a life transition. Pain can also be so overwhelming that we make choices to survive the present that might harm the future we want. In this course you will have the space and tools to examine if your choices are moving you through the pain and grief or keeping you stuck. Loss challenges our sense of normalcy, can makes us feel disconnected, and confused. Your familiar methods of coping may not be working, leaving you in a state of overwhelm and discomfort. At some point in our lives, each of us face forms of loss, change (not always welcome), and transition. These losses and life transitions can lead to overwhelming uncertainty and are difficult to know how to cope with. This is your space to transform fear and pain into power. Pain can be a powerful catalyst for transformation if you allow it. Here you do not need to hide or minimize your grief – come as you are, wherever you are on your grief journey. In this space you will connect with others who get it and are doing the hard and meaningful work to heal.
Q: What made you create a grief group just for men? We live in a culture that has not quite normalized men expressing their emotions, especially the more tender vulnerable ones like grief. I’ve seen and supported many men in my life who were never really encouraged or given permission (or gave themselves permission) to connect with their feelings. MCK, fellow coach and facilitator of this program is one of those men. He benefited from exploring his grief with me and experienced a powerful transformation. That’s why together we’ve co-designed and co-created this program for men. Your emotions are not a burden. They are data that tell a story. This is your opportunity to start your healing process by sharing your story and learning from other people’s experiences There is so much power in community and having our grief witnessed. This program is here for you as a sacred sanctuary for you to witness and be witnessed. We are not here to “fix” one another’s pain, to “solve” one another’s uncertainty, but rather, we will hold space, listen, learn, grow, and encourage one another. Grief needs to be witnessed. Connection helps us heal. We find ourselves in each other’s stories. In our connections with others, we can often find a path forward. It's important to know that we are not alone. And to keep moving, one step at a time. Within a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental, and encouraging community instead of just being consumed by the grief, you will learn how to live in the present and begin to consider what a future you love could look like.
Q: What’s this grief group coaching program about? What will take place? This online 8-week group was designed to give you a sacred place to grieve and heal. I will hold space for you and along with your peers, we will bear witness. It is a safe environment for you to process your grief alongside others who can relate. You will learn and understand why you feel the way you do as well as recognize the value of openly feeling your feelings and processing your loss, learning to flow with instead of fighting your emotions. Often, when trying to express or share our sorrow, others will try to problem solve, offer a silver lining, or provide a platitude. While the intention can be from the right space, that approach rarely meets the grievers need. Here you can sit with your sorrow without judgement and grieve at your own pace. Here you can pause, reflect, and be fully heard and seen. I am here as a guide to support, nurture, and encourage you. Together, we will navigate the difficult time you are facing and the rocky terrain of grief. You will have my compassionate and empathetic ear as well as those who are in the course.
Q: Where & how do we meet? Where: Hosted on Zoom! Be sure you are signed up with a zoom account and have the app downloaded on the device you’ll be using. Dates: First class is Thursday May 25th and the last class is on July 20th Time: 5pm PST/8pm EST for 90 minutes.
Q: What is included? This is an intimate group setting (12 people max) where you will learn how to be with your grief in a way that expands, not limits your horizons; to remember with more love than pain. We will explore outlets to process your loss, how to ask for help, and build boundaries for those who are not able to support you. With compassion, courage, and curiosity, we will begin to create a vision for your future that you will be excited to move towards. -10 Coaching Sessions: --8 group coaching sessions – every week we will meet together. --2 individual 1 hour coaching sessions (one at the start of the program and one at the end) with Alexandra -Each week you will receive a set of reflection questions and a grief hand-out that correlates to the topic of the week. --This hand-out will provide educational resources on grief to help you familiarize yourself with the landscape & language on grief. -Each session will start with a brief meditation to help you drop into your heart space. -Each week you will have the chance to practice a Bounce Conversation -Each week we will explore different healing skills that you can continue to practice on your own (breathwork, gentle grief yoga moves, mindfulness, etc)
Q: What is the cost? Total investment is $800. This works out to $100 per weekly session. I have added 2 individual coaching sessions ($400 value) as a bonus.
Q: Is grief just for death? No. Contrary to popular belief, grief is not reserved for death only – it accompanies any form of loss. Grief is a natural response to anything or anyone that is taken from us. From a physical death to a loss of a relationship, loss of a dream, loss of health (diagnosis of an illness), divorce, infertility, loss of normalcy, loss of job, moving or relocating, loss of financial stability, loss of safety or security, loss of identity, or becoming caretaker for a family member. These are just a few examples. Grief encompasses all the aspects of loss that one might face (there are more than 40 types of loss that can trigger grief)…the common denominator among all types of grief is loss.
Q: Why are you a grief coach? I felt called to create a safe space for others to land while navigating their loss. I struggled to find the support I needed when facing a big loss many years ago. I didn’t want others to have that same struggle. I tried for a long time to out run, out smart, out everything my grief. I was desperate to get as far away as possible from all of those emotions. This was one party I wanted no part in - not even a little bit. It took me a long time (I cannot emphasize long enough here) to finally comprehend, I wasn't failing. There was no secret elixir that would help me out wit my grief. Fantasize as I might about finding an exit from this dark party, it was just that; a fantasy. With grief, there is no back door or secret exit. The only way out is through. You probably want to leave my page right now. I understand (especially if you came here in hopes of finding that secret elixir I too was once so desperate to discover). But I promise there is some good news. You do not have to do this alone. It is possible not only to survive but to thrive again. I believe you can learn tools & skills that will empower you. These methods will better equip you to survive difficult times that might not feel so survivable, especially when you're in deep. I will partner with you and compassionately guide you. I am here as a non-judgmental and empathetic listener to support, encourage, equip, and empower you.
Q: Why does grief feel so lonely? Studies show that even for those with strong networks, experiencing grief can be incredibly isolating. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes it can be hard to express ourselves and when we finally do find the words, we discover that the person we’re confiding in isn’t capable of holding space or doesn’t want to hear it. Enter useless platitude that is blurted out before the conversation gets shut down. Sometimes those friends we love the most stop reaching out or calling because they feel uncomfortable and have no idea what to say. Or maybe you don’t feel like the people around you are tolerant of your grief any longer – you get the feeling they think should be over it by now. Maybe you waved the white flag and decided you’re going to completely unplug because you’re exhausted from making everyone else feel better about the death (or loss) you’re facing.