Book Reviews | Student Testimonials | Public Speaking Testimonials
Grief Book Reviews
“Heather Stang offers those who are grieving a wise and practical guide. The stories, teachings and meditations in this book will help you find your own inner strength and awakening heart in the midst of great loss.”
TARA BRACH, Ph.D.
Author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge
Heather Stang's Navigating Loss is a valued compass for navigating a wide range of life's losses. Grieving individuals will find it both informative and full of activities and exercises to assist in coping with grief. It is a wonderful resource for the bereaved
Kenneth J Doka, PhD
Senior Vice-President, The Hospice Foundation of America
“When we are more firmly grounded in our bodies, as Heather Stang demonstrates, we are better able literally and metaphorically to find a new footing in the world, and to restore a life of meaning and coherence.”
ROBERT A. NEIMEYER, Ph.D.
Director, Portland Institute for Loss and Transition
Navigating Loss is a clear and compassionate guide for people coping with various types of death and non-death losses. Heather Stang does a wonderful job weaving the evidence-based/research-informed current thinking about loss and grief with very relatable stories and practical tools to cope with and adapt to life’s unwelcome changes
Darcy Harris, PhD, FT
Professor and Thanatology Department Faculty Member of King’s University College in London, Canada
Heather’s use of metaphors, case examples along with her personal experiences enrich this practical guide about surviving and thriving after loss. It offers hope to anyone struggling in their grief who doesn’t know where to turn or how to cope
Patti Anewalt, PhD, LPC, FT
Founder and Previous Director Pathways Center for Grief & Loss
We tend to think of grief as something that occurs only after a death. Navigating Loss offers solace for grief that is often dismissed, arising from non-death and disenfranchised losses. The warm presentation of stories and clear practices to use for processing will be a boon to all who pick up this book
Claudia Coenen, CGC, FT, MTP
Author of Shattered by Grief: Picking up the Pieces to Become WHOLE Again
Heather is an insightful and skilled grief counselor who excels at discovering new pathways and innovative frameworks for exploring grief and loss. This book highlights refreshing new angles and practical approaches to managing the day-to-day work of grieving, and is a valuable tool for anyone coping with loss
Dr. Terri Daniel, CT, FFGT
Interfaith Hospice Chaplain, End-of-Life Educator, Grief and Trauma Support
Most writers only focus on the way we think and feel about grief. Heather’s understanding of the way that moving the body plays an integral part in the healing process shows the depth of her knowledge on this subject. Mindfulness and intentionality bring us into the present moment and it is from that place we can make changes in our lives
JASON WENDROFF-RAWNICKI
Somatic Grief Therapist
So many of us fail to honor our non-death grief. Through Navigating Loss, Heather Stang gives us permission to grieve all of our losses and offers practical and needed guidance that is warm, insightful, and relatable
Lindsey Whissel Fenton
Filmmaker, Speaker, Writer, Creator of Speaking Grief
“Intellectually we know we must release that which dies. But how? Mindfulness and Grief can accompany you in your grieving, providing wise and compassionate guidance that will support you in this profound and intimate process of letting go.”
JONATHAN FOUST
Former President
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
“Heather Stang offers considerable hope for those who might be lost to the process of grief. Not only does she offer hope – she offers ways to be with grief that are effective and that transform it at the same time. Embracing the moment and being present to what is happening rather than despairing in it are just one small but powerful aspect. I highly recommend this book.”
MICHAEL LEE, M.A.
Founder
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy
“Heather Stang's Mindfulness & Grief is a must read and must have for those in grief and those who work with the bereaved and the traumatized. Mindfulness practices can help us hold what we think we cannot hold and bear what we believe we cannot bear. Heather makes learning and practicing mindfulness and meditation accessible and her approach is gentle and supportive. Her structure allows those who may be overwhelmed and in pain to take mindfulness one small practice at a time. For grief professionals, the practices are easy to implement and effective. As both a professional therapist and a grieving person, I highly recommend this book.”
KARLA HELBERT, LPC, C-IAYT, E-RYT,
Author of Finding Your Own Way to Grieve, Yoga for Grief and Loss, The Chakra System in Grief and Trauma
“Whatever effects one level of mind, body and spirit, effects all. By combining current grief research with ancient healing practices, Heather Stang’s Mindfulness and Grief adds an important voice to holistic grief healing.”
CHRISTINE JETTE, R.N., B.A.
TheGrievingHeart.info
“Perfect for the beginner, Stang offers instruction that is easy to follow and understand. This book is also appropriate for the experienced mindfulness practitioner as it provides a framework around using your established practice to work with grief and loss…. No matter your experience with meditation and/or mindfulness, Stang does a wonderful job of normalizing and supporting the grieving process. This is a great read for anyone, as we all experience loss in our lives.”
ROSE KRESS, ERYT-500, LFYP-2
LifeForce Yoga Educator
"From Grief to Peace: A Guided Journal for Navigating Loss with Compassion and Mindfulness is a must resource for anyone wishing to incorporate mindfulness as a practice to effectively navigate grief arising from any life challenge. Heather skillfully and compassionately empowers the reader to embrace mindfulness from a multisensory perspective. Heather has developed diverse and creative activities that are effectively integrated with existing concepts in thanatology. There are easy to use self monitoring tools, which further empower individuals to take ownership of their own path. From Grief to Peace is also a must resource for human service and health care professionals who wish to incorporate effective mindfulness activities in their work with individuals presenting with trauma arising from grief."
DAVE ROBERTS, MSW,LMSW
Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Psychology Child-Life, Utica College, Writer,Speaker on Grief and Loss Co-Author of When The Psychology Professor Met The Minister
Grief Support Reviews
Initials, first names or pseudonyms are used to honor client confidentiality.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This course provided me with much more growth opportunity than I expected. I am living more fully, breathing more deeply, and I have a better awareness of myself. I am truly grateful.
A.R. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The group is a very supportive community that understands what you are growing through. Awaken gives you access to a virtual library with various modules to assist a person through the grieving process. You can come to Awaken just as you are. Heather and the group will meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Heather knows her stuff! The membership to this group is one of the greatest gifts I have given to myself to help me with self-care and the grieving process. I really enjoy the weekly groups and our special community. I always feel safe and loved.
D.R.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I’ve learned so much from Heather and the group support is amazing. It helps you gain a perspective from others experiences. I have also learned to face grief as I progressed instead of stuff it. I would say the support is invaluable and never any judgement, I’ve felt accepted from the very first call, though I was one to hide. I love the weekly groups, meditations, community, grief yoga and journaling. I find I do better with the group meetings!
SR , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ My experience has been that I have found in Heather´s online course a refuge where I can connect with awareness my ongoing grief process. The lessons of each week allowed me to relate intimately with what in my grief appeared either in my thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. My relationship to life after this loss is about a profound change and I appreciate Heather’s support to discover it.
G.S. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Those moments when I was just in angst or couldn’t sleep…I could turn to the processes in the modules or things we had shared on calls and find those moments of peace and eventually the moments linked into hours and days and weeks. The community support is amazing…its wonderful to sit with others who just “get it”. You don’t have to explain yourself. Its all been good and depending on what I was experiencing each part was helpful.
S.S. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Heather offers a unique and effective approach to grief by beautifully entwining grief education with expressive arts, mindfulness, and journaling. Her online programs offer excellent meditations and discussions about grief related issues. Heather’s calm and compassionate presence are a healing balm in times of great loss. She explains grief so well that you feel as if she walks through the process with you and deeply comprehends the ever changing path of grief. I found her program to be both educational and experiential, an unusual combination in the field of grief. I greatly appreciate her expertise, wisdom, intuition, and compassionate approach. I recommend her programs without reserve! Thank you!
C.C.M. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It has normalized grief, when much of society doesn't care to even acknowledge grief, or want people to rush off of it fast. It's helped to have a place & space where I have been supported in meeting myself in my grief. It's safety, it's connection, companionship, support. It's taught me so much, and continues to do so. Heather brings a beautiful mix of mindfulness, deep compassion, and knowledge around grief both with a degree specifically in it, and a very real way of translating her personal grief learnings to education & support of others. She helps us center in ourselves, our hearts, and to meet the tender places with great care. I have had so many losses I have lost track quite some time back, and I don't know how well I would have managed this ongoing grief terrain without Awaken and Heather.
Awaken is a great community with not "just" education about grief, how everyone processes is different ~ but also the wonderful grounding into our own experiences, our bodies & emotions, the depths of where real grief and trauma live. It's ultimately not just about grief, though grief can feel all consuming. It's also tools to live in a healthier way in managing life, along with a beautiful community of people who are also living into their hearts & living life from the heart. It's helped me so much through many losses, medical traumas/grief. I honestly don't know how I would have come this far without Awaken.
The groups help to not only learn new tools, but to share connections with others learning to live in & through grief. I love the guided meditations, they help me feel more peace. I love grief yoga, it really helps move the energy & emotions, and help me be more present in my being, to help process emotions & be more *here*. I truly love the community! I call it "My People" because we can understand each other in ways others who haven't met themselves or their grief in the same way that we have learned to do. I have met just some of the best, kindest, truly wonderful people through being in the Awaken community. I am very grateful, and all the better for it.
A.G. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This course has brought me back to a mindfulness practice and has been instrumental in my finding peace and equanimity with the loss of my husband and the resultant changes in my life. I recommend this course for anyone who has suffered from the loss of a loved one.
H.K.S. , Course Student
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Awaken has not only helped me through the acute stage of grief by giving me a supportive community, but Awaken has given me language for grief, an invaluable sense that what I'm going through, although terribly terribly hard, is normal. The meetings are the most important things on my calendar each week and when I need support outside of meeting times, the website is full of resources I can access day or night. With Awaken, I don't feel alone in my grief.
Awaken isn't group therapy. Awaken is about learning mindfulness tools that will help you manage the intense and life-altering experience of grief. There are chances to share and connect with community, but Awaken gives you tools for your individual journey. Awaken is the best thing I have done to help me get through losing my mom.
All the aspects of Awaken are important to me, but I especially resonate with the weekly groups. Since losing my mom, I've experienced a lot of isolation and having a place to show up more than once a week where everyone understands what I'm going through has given me an anchor each week, a place to go where I feel myself (slowly) healing. I feel deeply connected to the community I've met in the meet ups.
K.R.F. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ What was missing for me with other support group was tools and validation. Heather doesn't just lead/administer the group, she hears you, receives your pain in such a beautiful way. If needed shares some wisdom, tools or maybe heartfelt validation. You know you have been heard by someone skillful in grief and others who know your pain all to well. I really needed reliable tools, validation and acceptance in my (complicated) grief journey. This is such a welcoming, healthy and safe space to process grief. I attend the weekly group sessions, its an important part of my week! Its also wonderful to have the opportunity to connect with others we meet during those sessions.
K.N. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I have attended other grief support groups, but what was missing was a knowledgeable mediator and tools! Each time I met with the Awaken group online (even from the other side of the world) I felt comforted, heard and validated. Heather has created an incredibly safe space full of kindness, patience and compassion. I've processed grief in a very healthy way which I feel allows me to look back at those difficult events calmly and can communicate this part of life to my child to normalise death and grief.
If you need more tools to process your grief, joining Awaken might be the healthiest decision you can make for your grief process/mental health.
I mostly attended a weekly group call online, for me it was great to have a structured session. I've also benefited from the community a great deal.
Unless there is one and I didn't utilise it, a central list of guided meditation. Perhaps so you can have a folder on your phone with meditation for sleep or on the go.
KN
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Before this course I was having anxiety and depression. The weekly practice was powerful, but integrating my practice into my daily life was especially helpful. I am calmer now. Even when I focus on my grief, it doesn’t seem as overwhelming.
C.B. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The meditation practice has been crucial to helping me gain some level of calm and acceptance about life on life's terms. Heather's guided meditations involve the body, the mind, and the heart, and are often exactly what is needed. Her gentle presence is a weekly respite from the relentless pain of grief, and her wisdom about the grieving process helps to normalize all that we experience as we move through it. I'm very grateful to Heather for her book and for creating the Awaken program.
S.A. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I found a group of friends that checked in every week and made life-long connections. The Facebook group was great to share resources or even ask for help. Heather has the most calming voice and demeanor and is so helpful in guiding the mediations and discussions afterwards. The smaller sized weekly groups made me feel comfortable and I always had an opportunity to ask questions or share what came up. It's a group unlike any other and I am truly so thankful for this program.
M.V.V. , Awaken Member
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This course reminded me of how powerful the breath can be in experiencing the here & now, and letting go of what we cannot change…. the past. It helped me get out of my head and back into my body. It helped me improve my awareness of deeply held beliefs that I could benefit from examining. It is a step towards healing my grief.
L.M , Course Student
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I came to Heather’s programme when I was floundering after the death of my partner. I bought many, many different books on grief and loss but this particular book has become my trusted companion. The programme has been my life jacket in a very stormy sea of grief. I am the person who ultimately has to swim and get back to land but having this programme has given me hope that I will get there, in my own time and with the help of Heather and my companions in the online sessions.
Access to the virtual materials and especially the weekly online meetings with Heather are invaluable. Twelve months after the death of my partner, I use the meditations regularly and refer back to the book often and as I need to; certain chapters chime with my changing situations and are an anchor.
My alumni group has become a precious focal point, being with people from 3 continents in a virtual environment of trust and respect is so very powerful. I can only speak for myself, but I am starting to live with my grief and be able to think about a future again. With gratitude and love to Heather and my group.
ALEXIS
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Heather offers a unique and effective approach to grief by beautifully entwining grief education with expressive arts, mindfulness, and journaling. Her online programs offer excellent meditations and discussions about grief related issues. Heather's calm and compassionate presence are a healing balm in times of great loss. She explains grief so well that you feel as if she walks through the process with you and deeply comprehends the ever changing path of grief. I found her program to be both educational and experiential, an unusual combination in the field of grief. I greatly appreciate her expertise, wisdom, intuition, and compassionate approach. I recommend her programs without reserve! Thank you!
C.C.M.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This course has brought me back to a mindfulness practice and has been instrumental in my finding peace and equanimity with the loss of my husband and the resultant changes in my life. I recommend this course for anyone who has suffered from the loss of a loved one.
H.K.S.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ My experience has been that I have found in Heather´s online course a refuge where I can connect with awareness my ongoing grief process.
The lessons of each week allowed me to relate intimately with what in my grief appeared either in my thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.
My relationship to life after this loss is about a profound change and I appreciate Heather's support to discover it.
GRACE
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Before this course I was having anxiety and depression. The weekly practice was powerful, but integrating my practice into my daily life was especially helpful. I am calmer now. Even when I focus on my grief, it doesn't seem as overwhelming.
C.B.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This course reminded me of how powerful the breath can be in experiencing the here & now, and letting go of what we cannot change.... the past. It helped me get out of my head and back into my body. It helped me improve my awareness of deeply held beliefs that I could benefit from examining. It is a step towards healing my grief.
L.M.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This course provided me with much more growth opportunity than I expected. I am living more fully, breathing more deeply, and I have a better awareness of myself. I am truly grateful.
A.R.
Public Speaking & Workshop Testimonials
“Heather is a seasoned professional whose commitment and passion shines through her work and her presentations. Upon hearing her speak initially at the Association of Death Education and Counseling’s national conference in San Antonio, I followed up with her to explore possibilities and engaged Heather for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s 2016 Management and Leadership Conference. Her half-day preconference seminar there was well attended and participants rated the session highly. It was so successful that we have invited Heather to present at NHPCO’s Intensives (fall, 2016) and lead morning “self-care” meditation sessions for participants. I have every confidence that these sessions and Heather’s presentation will be well received and popular with our attendees. Heather infuses compassion and care into her work and those who participate reap the benefits!”
BARBARA L. BOUTON, MA, FT
Vice President, Professional Development
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
“We were looking for an engaging speaker who could connect well with our donor families, and create a safe and comfortable place for them to learn about meditation for grief and share their experiences. My favorite part of “Meditation for Grief” was the compassion meditation. I felt it really resonated with our donor families and was something that they could incorporate into their daily lives. I also enjoyed the beginning of the workshop where she engaged the donor families and had them share a little bit about themselves and their loved ones. Heather is warm, compassionate, and engaging. She is a great teacher and makes meditation seem attainable and realistic.”
KAYLA SMITH, LMSW
Donor Family Services Coordinator
LiveOnNY
“Your personality is warm and inviting which we felt would allow our donor families to feel safe. As an organization we are very protective of our donor families, we consistently evaluate and scrutinize the services we offer our families. This ensures that we are always offering the best quality of care to grieving families. Your ‘Meditation for Grief’ workshop was absolutely a vital part of that continuation of care we provide.
From my observations both as a participant and a social worker in the donor family services department the most impactful part of the workshop was the guided meditation and group discussion on our individual experiences during the meditation. Our donor families felt safe enough to share their coping strategies both positive and negative. What struck me most was how compassionate you were with our families as they shared their stories. You were not afraid to talk about ‘taboo’ subjects. Your willingness to engage our families on their terms was such a gift for our agency to learn from and most importantly for our donor families. Death and dying is not an easy subject to talk about, but you led the way and allowed for a new perspective on coping with their loss. The workshop’s goal was not take away the pain our families, but rather to help them gain new perspective on their loss and to move forward with mindfulness in their grief journey. The coping tools our donor families were given during our ‘Meditation for Grief’ workshop will serve them well in their journey. I have tremendous confidence in saying this because it’s clearly reflected in our donor family survey responses to the workshop.
I would say that ‘mindfulness’ is a gift you will unpack the rest of your life. Too often we humans are just reacting to things one after another. If you want to get off the treadmill then Heather Stang is the ideal person to guide you. Her work is thoughtful, focused and well researched. I trust her to work with our donor families because of her compassion and openness about her own grief journey. She knows what she’s talking about, but more importantly she helps you find what works best for you.”
YIE YIN FOONG
Family Services Outreach Coordinator
LiveOnNY
“I was looking for a speaker on Mindful Meditation and wanted someone who could speak to caregivers. I was very excited when I heard you had a background studying death and dying and would be able to understand the grief issues faced by dementia caregivers, as well as understand the stress they face. Based on your experience as a speaker and your education, I knew you would be a good fit. I thought it was amazing that in a medium sized room with over 100 people you demonstrated that we could follow your voice and relax.
I would say [to others that] Heather Stang is a very knowledgeable person and she can help you learn about mindful meditation. She knows about grief, stress, relaxation and more. Heather helped over 120 people by speaking at the Western Maryland Dementia Conference; if you have a chance to work with her, I think maybe she can help you too!”
SUSAN DWYER LCSW-C
Education Coordinator
Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland Chapter
“Not only is she dedicated to making her presentations informative & well-researched, but she also makes them really entertaining! A colleague came up to me after Heather’s talk who said she’s one of the best speakers we’ve ever had for this organization.”
SUSAN HOUGH
Greater Frederick Advertising Federation
“Heather’s approach was exactly the right balance for our group. She provided historical context for mindfulness practice, then led us through a number of hands-on exercises. The large audience was a blend of novices & current mindfulness practitioners. They were all equally engaged throughout her talk. We’re already planning our next training with Heather!”
JAMES KELLY
Maryland Library Association
“On behalf of the whole MHA Staff, thank you for your wonderful presentation at our February staff meeting. I know we all gained valuable and practical techniques for self care.”
LINDA MEYERS
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
“I just reviewed the feedback from the event and all said that the seminar “The Relaxation Response for Dementia Caregivers” was excellent. From my point of view, the program was a gift to people who are stressed by caregiving. What I found amazing was that there was a roomful of 25 people and for 25 minutes there was not one sound but your soothing voice. Who among us takes the time to be quiet and rest? Thank you Heather.”
LINDA RYAN
Arden Courts of Kensington
