Hello! My name is Christopher Falconer. I came to know the Grief Recovery Institute from a friend and colleague. He suggested we sign up for the training to help men in need of grief recovery in our community. I was definitely interested and excited, but had no idea the benefits I would be gaining from grief recovery for myself.
As a school counselor and facilitator I have had many conversations with youth regarding loss, depression and suicide. The one conversation I never had was that of my own losses. In 2004 after returning home from work my wife of two months had died from complications with her struggles from lupus. I had already been dealing with the fact my mother's cancer had come back and she was given only a few months to live. I was devastated, overwhelmed and lost. I wish I had known about the Grief Recovery Institute and started my journey to completion years ago!
The one question I would always ask my students "you come to me when you need help, who do I talk to when I need help"? The Grief Recovery Institute has helped me finally answer that question.
I reside in Akron, Ohio and serve the North East Ohio areas, but with the use of virtual technology I can provide grief support to those near and far. My services include Grief Support 1on1, Grief Support Group, Helping Children with Loss, and Pet Loss Support Group.
I am a license School Counselor in the Akron, OH area. Before the pandemic I facilitated depression and suicide programs for the Life Act organization for middle and high school students through out North Eastern and Eastern Ohio schools. I received a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Akron in 2001 and a Masters Degree in Guidance and School Counseling in 2012. I also spent the better of fifteen years employed by the Summit County Juvenile Court as a Correction Officer and later a Case Manager. I have a passion for helping others, and grief recovery is a process we all can benefit from.