What is a Certified Grief Educator?

"A Certified Grief Educator is committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief. 
Certified Grief Educators completed a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler. They bring his unique methodology, tools, and decades of experience to help people navigate the challenges of grief."

My Journey to Becoming a Certified Grief Educator

I’m excited to share a significant milestone in my life – I’ve officially become a Certified Grief Educator. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’d like to share a bit about what led me here and what this certification means to me.
Grief is a universal experience that many people are afraid to talk about openly. My life experiences, from childhood to today, have profoundly impacted me. For many years, I have been searching for ways to heal my own hurt and support others who have experienced profound loss. Throughout my 20-year career, I have witnessed my clients' suffering, emotional duress, and loss. Finally, I have found what I was looking for. My personal and professional experiences have transformed me and led me to pursue this certification.
Becoming a Certified Grief Educator involved extensive training and education with the world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler. This certification has equipped me with the tools and knowledge to guide others through their grief in a healthy and constructive way.
Throughout this process, I’ve learned that:
  • Grief is Unique: Everyone experiences grief in their own way, and that's okay. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grieving.
  • Witnessing Grief: My role is not to give advice or opinions but to witness and support your grief.
  • Healing Through Talking: People begin to heal when they talk about their loss.
  • Support Matters: The way we support each other through grief helps us move forward in our lives.
  • Variety of Losses: Grief can result from major life events and various losses, including death of a loved one, coping with the death of a pet, job loss, the loss of a home, divorce, illness causing a disability, a severe injury or the end of a relationship.
  • Love and Grief: We grieve because we love, and that's why grief never truly goes away. It changes us. We can grieve and live our lives, bringing the memory of our loved ones with us and honoring them.
  • Strength in Support: Grief can be overwhelming, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
My Mission with this certification is to;
  • Educate: Raise awareness about the realities of grief and how we can support each other.
  • Support: Provide a safe space for people to express their grief and find comfort.
  • Empower: Guide individuals with the tools to navigate their grief journey and support others in theirs.
I am looking forward to connecting with many of you through public speaking, workshops, support groups, and one-on-one sessions. My goal is to create a compassionate community where we can all learn from each other and find solace in our shared experiences.
Thank you for being a part of my journey. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can navigate this journey and find hope and healing.
With gratitude, 
Ursula Darby

Individual Grief Educator Session

Your grief journey never ends, allow me to guide you through the process in a safe comforting space.