You shouldn’t have to understand grief alone
Grief coaching for analytical minds who need answers, not platitudes.
After losing my father suddenly, I was desperate to understand what was happening.
The emotions were overwhelming. My body was in shock. I couldn’t sleep or find peace. I reached out to therapists and clergy. I tried reading books. Nothing was working. I was lost, and nothing made sense. I felt alone and confused.
If you’re feeling like this, there is help.
My own journey inspired me to help people in grief understand what’s happening and navigate their journey on their own terms: honoring how they think, what they believe, and the unique journey only they can take.
Since the loss of my father, I’ve navigated the grief after a divorce and caring for my mom during her terminal illness + the end of her earthly journey.
compassionate support for grievers
Grief Mentor & Coach
I’m Desiree, the Good Grief Girl and I’m glad you’re here.
Grief can be a growth opportunity.
I’m passionate about helping clients learn and grow after grief.
The Day Everything Changed
20+ years ago, my father died suddenly. No warning. No time to prepare.
In the weeks and months after the loss, I realized something crucial: nobody could explain what was actually happening inside me.
The emotions were overwhelming.
I kept picking up the phone to call him. I wasn’t sleeping. I was desperate to find someone to help me.
People offered sympathy. They shared platitudes. Some suggested I “should” be crying more, talking more, feeling more. Others pushed me toward grief groups where everyone seemed to process loss the same way: talking, sharing, and emotional expression.
But that wasn’t me.
I’m analytical. I think in frameworks. It helps me to understand things so I can process them.
When my world fell apart, I didn’t need someone to validate my feelings; I needed to understand my feelings. I needed someone to explain the why behind the waves of grief that made no logical sense.
The best help came from understanding
To help me heal my own grief, I attended training in grief education. Things started to make sense and I could let go of shame that I’d been carrying for years. After completing my grief education, I continued reading and learning about how the brain and body are impacted after loss.
There’s nothing wrong with approaching grief logically. It’s actually a strength when you have the right tools.
And then I realized: I’m not the only one who felt alone in standard grief support.
You might be here because
✓ You lost someone suddenly, and you’re desperate to understand what grief actually is, not just feel it
✓ You’re frustrated with traditional grief groups where “just talk about your feelings” feels shallow and insufficient
✓ You think in systems and frameworks, and standard grief advice feels vague and unhelpful
✓ You have a faith tradition that matters to you, but you want grief support that doesn’t push a specific spiritual angle
✓ You don’t process emotions the way others do, and you’re starting to think that means something’s wrong with you
✓ You want concrete, practical tools for moving forward, not endless exploration of pain
✓ You’re tired of feeling like an outsider in grief spaces because you’re not “emotional enough”
If any of this resonates, you’re in the right place.
You’re not broken. Your brain isn’t broken. You’ve just been looking for grief support designed for people who think like other people do.
It’s time for something different.
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to face it alone.
What Makes This Different
I’m not a therapist here to diagnose or treat. I’m not leading you through structured stages of grief. And I’m definitely not asking you to process emotions you’re not ready to access.
What I am offering is grief coaching designed specifically for analytical minds.
This means:
- You’ll actually understand your grief. You’ll learn why grief hits in waves, why logic sometimes shields you from emotion, and how both of those things are actually protective.
- You’ll get frameworks, not feelings. I provide concrete tools, practical strategies, and actionable steps for moving through grief. No vagueness. No “just let yourself feel it.” Real clarity.
- Your thinking style is an asset, not a problem. Your analytical mind has helped you survive hard things. We’ll use it as part of your healing, not work against it.
- Your faith (or lack thereof) is respected. If you have a spiritual tradition, we’ll honor it. If you don’t, that’s honored too. This isn’t attached to any specific belief system – it’s about your journey, as you define it.
- You get someone who speaks your language. I understand analytical personalities, logical processing, and the deep need for understanding. You won’t feel like an outsider here.
What The Good Grief Girl Is NOT
I’m not a replacement for therapy. If you’re experiencing trauma, complex mental health conditions, or suicidal ideation, therapy is the right choice. I’ll help you find the right therapist if you need one.
I’m not here to minimize your loss. Your grief is real. It matters, and you deserve support. Grief coaching doesn’t mean “get over it faster.”
I’m not a spiritual guide. I don’t push any belief system. I honor your faith, your skepticism, your spirituality – whatever that looks like for you.
I’m not offering quick fixes. There’s no 3-step grief solution. There’s only your grief journey, moving at your pace, with tools that actually fit how you think.
What The Good Grief Girl IS
A grief coach who specializes in analytical minds. I help logical, thinking-oriented people understand their grief process and build a life that honors both their loss and their future.
A space where your way of processing is valid. Not everyone grieves by crying or talking. Some of us grieve by thinking, analyzing, understanding, and slowly integrating loss into a new framework for living.
Practical, concrete, and clear. You’ll get actionable tools. You’ll understand the “why” behind what you’re experiencing. And you’ll have a roadmap for moving forward that respects how your mind actually works.
Faith-informed but not faith-dependent. Whatever your spiritual beliefs (or if you don’t have any), you’ll find support here that honors your wholeness.
How Grief Coaching Works
1. Discovery Call (Free, 30 minutes) We talk about your loss, your struggle, and what you’re looking for. This is where I learn about you: How you think, what you need, whether my approach is the right fit. No pressure, just conversation.
2. Building Your Understanding In our first sessions, we focus on understanding your grief, not fixing it or rushing through it. You’ll learn about grief responses, how analytical minds process loss differently, and what’s actually happening in your brain and body.
3. Creating Your Tools Together, we build a personalized set of strategies. Maybe it’s frameworks for thinking through hard feelings. It could be methods to honor both your analytical and emotional selves…or we may explore concrete practices that help you move through grief while keeping your logic intact.
4. Moving Forward As you integrate loss and rebuild your life, you’ll have support for the questions that come up: “What does my future look like now?”, “How do I honor what I lost while building what’s next?” and “Who am I after this loss?”.
This isn’t about stages. It’s about your journey, with tools that actually fit how you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as therapy?
No. Therapy helps you process trauma and treat mental health conditions. Grief coaching helps you understand your loss and build practical tools for moving forward. Many people use both—therapy for the trauma work, coaching for the life-rebuilding work.
What if I don’t cry much? Does that mean I’m not grieving “right”?
There’s no “right” way to grieve. Analytical minds often process through thinking first, feeling later—or sometimes thinking instead of feeling, at least initially. That’s completely valid. You’re grieving in your way.
I have a faith tradition. Will you push me away from it or toward it?
Neither. Your faith is yours. If it’s important to you, we honor it. If you’re questioning it, we honor that too. Grief coaching isn’t about belief—it’s about your journey, as you define it.
How long does grief coaching take?
It depends on your loss, your needs, and your pace. Some people work with me for 8 weeks; others for several months. There’s no rush. We move at a pace that fits your life and your grief.
I’m worried I’ll break down during coaching. Is that okay?
Yes. Emotions are welcome here. But you’re not required to cry or emote. If feelings come up, we work with them. If they don’t, we work with what you are experiencing.
What if grief coaching isn’t a good match for me?
I’ll be honest about whether we’re a good match. And if you need therapy instead, I’ll help you find the right therapist. This is about you getting the support you actually need.
Still have questions?
In our 30-minute call, we’ll talk about your loss, your experience, and what you’re looking for. You’ll get a sense of whether this approach fits you. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just conversation.
What People Say
“Desiree is a coach that leads with her heart, and uses her mind to provide a supportive space where you can navigate and come through whatever you’re moving through with grace. You’ll be taken care of.” – M.L.
“I feel much more at peace now, and like i will be able to trust myself and work through problems better in the future” – H
“Meeting with Desi is a judgment-free space. She approaches coaching with an openness and humility that is refreshing. She listens well and therefore is able to ask questions that get you to think and tap into what’s going on in your life or mind or what’s holding you back. Desi is very knowledgeable about resources and tools that might help you move forward and is more than willing to share them. She always makes sure you know she’s available for you.” – G
Ready to Understand Your Grief?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. And you don’t have to process grief in a way that doesn’t fit how your mind actually works.
Not ready to talk yet? Let’s stay in touch
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Important Note
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call or text, available 24/7).
Grief coaching is not a substitute for therapy. If you’re experiencing complex trauma, severe depression, or other mental health concerns, professional counseling may be the right first step.
© The Good Grief Girl • Desiree Doucet — Grief Coach & Certified Grief Expert