Grief Coaching in Minnesota

Support for the loss of a person or a pet, and for the losses that come with it.

Grief can feel particularly lonely when everyone around you expects you to carry on. Grief does not follow a schedule, and the people around you may have stopped asking how you are. Here, you can say what is true and express what you’re feeling. I am an ICF certified coach with specialized training in grief and loss.

Who it’s for: People grieving the loss of a family member or friend, anticipatory grief, supporting someone through illness or the end of life, and living losses such as a relationship ending or a role you identified with. It also includes those facing grief that feels stuck or heavier than you expected or the loss of a beloved pet.

What we work on:

• Naming and processing complex emotions and “secondary losses.”
• Coping with triggers, anniversaries, and difficult days.
• Finding ways to remember and stay connected to your person or pet.
• Integrating grief into daily life without feeling like you must “move on.”

What sessions look like: 60 minutes by video or phone, weekly or every other week, often four to six sessions, and a free 30 minute call first. I’m based in Minnesota and work with clients around the world. You will find a safe, judgment-free space. Here, you can say how you really feel and be witnessed in your grief. You will also learn tools to care for yourself over time. Grief has no timeline.

Grief coaching and therapy: Coaching supports forward movement and meaning. It is not mental health treatment and not intended to replace therapy. Anyone in crisis in the U.S. can call or text 988.

Why I coach on grief: I know what it’s like to navigate big changes and the curveballs life throws. I’ve lived through the suicide of a father figure in college, prolonged health challenges, several moves across the country, and a layoff, and in each season the fog of not knowing what came next left me feeling stuck. What helped was having support, guidance, and space to find my way again, and that’s what I bring to my coaching today. Read more about my story.

“Madelon creates a space that feels both completely safe and quietly powerful, where it’s possible to be honest, break down difficult situations, and think more freely. She is warm, curious, and incredibly patient, and she has a gentle but persistent way of asking questions that have helped me challenge limiting beliefs and explore new perspectives. Rather than imposing advice or opinions, she encourages you to do the work and arrive at your own clarity.” – Anisha J.

FAQs

• What is grief coaching, and how is it different from therapy? Grief coaching is a supportive partnership for people living with loss who want help finding their footing again. We make room for what you are feeling, and we also look ahead at how you want to live, work, and show up now that life looks different. Therapy and coaching can both help, but they do different jobs. Therapy diagnoses and treats mental health conditions and often works with the past, such as trauma, depression, or grief that is making daily life hard to manage. Coaching is not therapy. It focuses on the present and future, helping you build clarity, steady routines, and next steps while you carry your loss.
• Do you work with pet loss? Yes. This loss is real and often unrecognized by others.
• How soon after a loss can I start? Any time. Some people come within weeks, others years later.
• How many sessions will I need? Often four to six, but we set the pace together.
• Can I come if someone I love is still living but dying? Yes, this is anticipatory grief.
• What if I am not sure I am ready to talk about it? The free call is a low pressure place to find out.
• Is what I say confidential? Yes, what happens in our session stays in our session. Protecting your privacy and earning your trust is my top priority. When we start our coaching relationship, you will receive an agreement. This agreement includes an ethical code that governs this commitment.
• Do you work with clients outside Minnesota? Yes. Sessions are by video or phone, and I work with people in many time zones.

Additional resources: free Grief Guide, End of Life Planning, and Life Transition Coaching.