Meet Linda

Hello,

My name is Linda Pouliot and I am the co-author of  Grieving Forward: Death Happened, Now What?  A Practical Guide for Healing & Understanding the Grief Process.

First off, I want to tell you that I am so sorry for your loss.  Grief is an individual experience –  even when we share a similar loss – so I am not going to tell you that I know how you feel because I don’t.  Again, I am so sorry.  What I do know is that even though it might not feel like it right now, healing is absolutely possible.  And life can be good again – just in a new and different way.  I am living proof.

My Story

In November of 1999, when I was 45 years old my first husband, Donald, died unexpectedly of a heart-attack. We had just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, both of our children were teenagers and we were looking forward to our next 25 years together.  I spent the first few months after his death in shock and numb – which is normal and expected.  So did my children.  What I realized during this time was that I couldn’t even define the word grief.  Additionally, I had no idea what was happening to me or how to help my children.  All I knew was the pain was unbearable and I desperately wanted to know how to make the pain go away.  My search for answers began…

My Healing Forward Turning Point

What I discovered is that when we understand the grief process and the healing process, which is what’s normal for grieving and healing, it’s easier to successfully navigate our personal healing journey.  And it’s easier to avoid getting stuck in unresolved grief.  Additionally, I was able use this same information, the information we share in the book, to help my children navigate their individual grieving and healing journeys.  I want the same for you and your family.

The Book

The content of the book and my Healing Forward Workshops and Healing Forward Grief Support Groups is based on my personal experience with death, my research, and what others have shared with me over the years at workshops and in grief support groups.  And what I’ve learned while standing in line at the grocery store or sitting in the waiting room at my doctor’s office talking with others who have experienced loss.  For additional information check out my Blog and the Grieving Forward Death Happened, Now What?  Facebook page.

My Bio

Linda is a nationally recognized grief support facilitator and a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist in The Grief Recovery Method by The Grief Recovery Institute.  She is a licensed massage therapist and a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker.  From February of 2002 – March of 2013 she volunteered at New Hope Center for Grief Support located in Northville, Michigan where she co-facilitated grief support groups and was a workshop speaker.  In 2013 Linda founded Cobblestone Ministries, LLC and she offers Grieving Forward Workshops and Grieving Forward Grief Support Groups.  Additionally, Linda is a retired Foster Parent (Livingston County, Michigan) and a former member of Insights Toastmasters, Brighton, Mi.