My name is Mary Donlon. I am an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist empowering all GRIEVERS with action-based tools to process the pain, isolation, and heartbreak of all types of losses. I have also been an RN for 27 years currently working in oncology infusion and hospice.

My journey to the Grief Recovery Method has been a surprising one. After my divorce, I found it very difficult as a single mother to move past my sadness while caring for 3 young children and living in remote Alaska far from family. I carried my heartbreak silently, thinking I needed to keep pushing through life. The isolation of being a single parent was overwhelming. Next, I left a job I loved and Alaska, the place my children were born to move home to be near family. Then my father passed away, and my mother was diagnosed with dementia. My parents had always been my safe place and source of wisdom. I was experiencing deep pain over what would turn out to be the biggest losses of my life in a short period of time. Time alone was not healing my broken heart. I felt stuck. I quickly learned that self-care was going to be a priority if I was going to thrive as a single mother and in my career as a Registered Nurse.

A colleague was a Grief Recovery Specialist, and I always admired her passion for it. I decided to become a specialist too. Little did I know just how life altering it would be for me. I discovered that I had been grieving for many years. The method freed me from holding on to the past by providing me with specific tools that helped me move forward with a new strength and outlook on life. I always believed that “compassion is the chief law of existence” (Dostoyevsky). I feel it is my “life’s calling” to bring compassion to all of my sessions with clients experiencing any type of loss – death, divorce, broken relationships, loss of a job, a move, serious illness, pet loss or any other loss affecting a client’s life. It’s not a cure all but it is a tool kit. As a nurse, I appreciate that it is evidenced-based therefore proven to be effective. I am here to offer empathy and confidentiality while guiding grievers through this program. I offer both individual and group services in person in New Jersey or online worldwide.