Warm and compassionate support from someone who gets it

For the past twenty years I have been helping people navigate life after loss. I have written three books on grief and mindfulness and was honored to receive the 2025 ADEC Clinical Practice Award.

My personal experience with loss is at the heart of everything I do. When I was seven years old, my uncle died by suicide. I watched my family struggle, and as a child I struggled too. Childhood grief and suicide loss often go unrecognized, and I carry that understanding into the way I support others today.

You will learn more about me when you join Awaken, just as I will learn more about you and your story. For now, know that I do this work in honor of my family and the little girl who had no idea what to do with her pain.

Awaken brings together everything I have learned about what truly supports people in grief. You will find the steady presence of people who understand and the tools that help you cope with the hardest moments. I hope you will join me inside Awaken.

Heather Stang

A supportive roadmap for navigating grief, one moment at a time

Grief often moves in waves. Some days feel softer, and then a song, a date, or a memory can bring the ache right back. These waves do not mean you are going backwards. They are a sign that your heart still remembers. Inside Awaken, you are not meeting those waves empty-handed. You have a framework you can return to, again and again, to help you meet grief with more steadiness and care.

The Mindfulness & Grief System is the gentle roadmap we use inside this online grief support group and weekly grief coaching sessions. It does not tell you how you should feel. Instead, it gives you tools to notice what is happening, tend to your body and heart, and take one small step at a time.

You do not need to take all of this in right now. This overview is here so you can see the care and structure behind the work. Here is a simple overview of the eight steps:

Step 1: Conscious Relaxation
You learn how to calm your body and nervous system so the waves of grief feel a little less overpowering. These practices can help with anxiety, tension, and trouble sleeping.

Step 2: Mindful Awareness
You practice noticing your body, feelings, and thoughts as they arise, then gently bringing your attention back to the present moment. This can give you a break from replaying the past or worrying about the future.

Step 3: Compassion for All
You begin to soften harsh self-talk, guilt, and “shoulds.” You learn to speak to yourself with the same kindness you might offer a dear friend who is hurting.

Step 4: Skillful Courage
You learn how to approach painful memories and emotions in small, manageable steps, and how to pause when it is too much. Courage here is not about forcing yourself. It is about honoring your limits with wisdom.

Step 5: Getting Unstuck
You explore common grief loops, like rumination, avoidance, or decision paralysis, and experiment with small, doable actions. This helps you create gentle forward movement without pressure.

Step 6: Continuing Bonds
You discover ways to honor your ongoing connection with the person who died. This may include memories, rituals, or daily gestures that carry their love forward in a way that fits your life now.

Step 7: Allowing Transformation
You look at how loss has changed you. Not because the loss was a gift, but because grief reshapes our values, roles, and identity. You begin to name who you are becoming in the “after.”

Step 8: Meaning and Purpose
You bring the tools together into simple routines that support life after loss. You clarify what matters now and what helps you stay grounded when grief rises again.

You do not have to move through these steps in order, and you do not have to master any of them. Think of this system as a map you can return to whenever you need support.

Three supportive practices you’ll learn inside Awaken

Grief does not live only in your thoughts. It lives in your body, your breath, and the rhythm of your days. Inside Awaken, you will learn three embodied practices you can return to whenever grief rises again. These tools help you respond with more steadiness, even on the hardest days.

Frequently asked questions

When do the live sessions meet?

Live grief coaching sessions meet weekly on Monday at 4:00 pm ET and Tuesday at 6:00 pm ET. There is also a weekly meditation and journaling practice on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm ET.

Sessions are live and not recorded. In addition to the live sessions, members have access to an on-demand course, guided meditations, and mini workshops that can be used anytime.

Is this therapy?

No. Awaken is not therapy and it is not a replacement for therapy. It is a mindfulness-based grief coaching and support group that teaches practical tools for working with grief. Many members participate alongside therapy, while others join when therapy is not accessible or feels like the right fit.

Do I have to talk or share?

No. You are always welcome to speak, listen, or simply be present. Many people join quietly at first and participate more as they feel ready. There is never any expectation to share.

What if my grief feels too heavy right now?

You are welcome to come exactly as you are. Awaken is designed to support you when grief feels heavy, confusing, or overwhelming. You are encouraged to move at your own pace and use the practices in ways that feel supportive, not forcing.

Is this religious or spiritual?

No. Awaken is grounded in mindfulness and compassion, not in any religious or spiritual belief system. You do not need to hold any particular beliefs to participate, however, you are welcome to bring your beliefs with you. We honor everyone.

What if I miss a session?

That is completely okay. You can attend as many or as few sessions as you like. On-demand practices are available anytime, so you can stay connected even when life gets in the way.

How do I know if this is right for me?

Awaken is a good fit for people who are ready to actively work with their grief using mindfulness-based tools, while staying connected to the love they carry. The 14-day free trial is there so you can experience the space for yourself and decide without pressure.

Is this helpful if my loss is fresh?

Yes. Many people join Awaken during the early weeks or months after a loss, when everything can feel raw and disorienting. You are not expected to have clarity or stability. The practices and group support are offered in ways that honor where you are and allow you to move slowly, with care.

Is this helpful if my loss happened a long time ago?

Yes. Grief does not follow a timeline. Many people join Awaken months or even years after a loss, often when anniversaries, holidays, or life changes bring old feelings back to the surface. The practices inside Awaken support you wherever you are in your grief, not just in the early stages.

A steady place to land 

You do not have to rush your grief or figure everything out before you begin. Awaken offers a supportive space to learn practical tools, practice at your own pace, and stay connected to the love you carry.

If you are ready to work with your grief in a way that feels honest, structured, and humane, you are welcome to join us.