Getting Grief Right: Finding Your Story of Love in the Sorrow of Loss

Having read Tim Madigan's book on Mr. Rogers and being aware of Patrick O'Malley as a preeminent grief counselor, I was eager to buy this book. It reads easily for the layman and, yet has enough depth to be used at the graduate level for counselors and clergy and others in the helping profession. Like all good books, this is a story. A poignant and touching story of the loss of Ryan, the O'Malley's young son. Connecting his personal story with dated and unhelpful grief theories makes this an interesting and thoughtful read. I particularly enjoyed how they weaved wisdom and love from Mr. Rogers and Henri Nouwen into this book, providing light into the darkness of grief and loss. Getting Grief Right also includes a study guide for groups and individuals. Not only am I giving this book 5 stars, I am buying additional copies for colleagues and clients.

Like the author, I am both a psychotherapist who works with clients who are grieving, and I am a human who is going through my own grief process. I have to say, this is one of the best books I've read. Period. As someone who is grieving, I appreciated the author's stance on the socialization of grief-- that we live in a bounce-back, good vibes only type of world, which leaves those who are grieving feeling even more isolated and shamed. As a clinician, I loved the journal prompts which have been helpful to my clients. I recommend this book for anyone who has been impacted by a loss-- whether you are grieving personally or you know someone who is. So that is basically every human on this planet. In other words, buy the book, read the book, live the book, share the book, book, book, book. :)

I've used Dr. O'Malley's book for my lay grief groups and personally in processing the grief of losing loved ones. His book is easy to read and insightful. I send it to friends and acquaintances who need support.

This is an essential read for all people as we all experience grief throughout our lives. Dr. O'Malley's personal and professional experiences with grief make this book especially powerful. His descriptions of grief allows us to feel that it is a normal and natural process, however painful. I especially liked the emphasis on allowing people to tell their "stories" of grief as this is helpful in keeping the spirit of the loss alive. Timeline and stages of grief are de-emphasized and instead one's individual process of grief is respected and honored.

While not the most pleasant of reads, it did give me a new perspective on the subject.

Timely nuget that made me cry and nod my head in agreement. The author hits the points that a person needs to have acknowledged and leads you in finding your own winding road through your particular story of grief. However, you must actively participate in your healing and regaining your footing. After reading this, I will not call it recovery, since things will never be the same. Not to sound negative, just to acknowledge that you will always feel the loss, that's the price we pay for loving much and being loved much. And, the time for grief can correspond with the depth of the relationship. There are no rules.

I wish I'd known of this book before. So true and so effective at helping me understand the emotions I experienced then (3 years ago) and now. I never knew that a lot of what I was going through was my brain trying to deal with the trauma while my heart tried to process the pain and grief. There's no formula for getting through or over this, but this book was very, very helpful.

Was recommended to me by my therapist and it was well worth the read. Helped me understand mine and other’s grief better and put it in better perspective than the little I learned (wrongly) growing up. If you’ve lost someone or a pet, I’d highly recommend reading this book.

I recently bought this to give to a friend who tragically lost her daughter a year ago. I wanted to be sure it would be of help to her so I thought I would read enough to be sure. Instead, I read all of it, kept it and ordered another for my friend. As she agrees, it is a very good book. It offers a very different approach to grief than many death and dying resources, freeing grieving people from the expectayion that they heal, recover, get closire, or "get over" their grief. Instead, stories and presence are key themes of this very readable, compassionate book. I can see that I will refer many people to this and buy it for many people, as I will refer to it in my own times of grieving. A very, very good offering for those exoeriencing grief, and for their counselors, family and friends.

Widowed for fifteen months I hit a hard place and low and behold I listened to Patrick being interviewed on Sounds True about his new book. So I read it and I was blown away at his understanding of grief. I suddenly felt a huge weight had lifted from my shoulders. I still had the grief but I suddenly realised I wasn't going mad or in need of a counsellor or that I was wrong and everyone around me was right. I am so indebted to him for bringing me calm and peace and acceptance. I will hold him in my heart forever for the gift he gave me.

what a wonderful book to help with the loss of a loved one. I highly recommend it. I bought copies for my children too. Exceptionally helpful.

An easy to read book and very helpful to those who are counselling.