Navigating Grief with Purpose
Grief in later life is complex. Whether it stems from the loss of a spouse, a close friend, declining health, or transitions in identity and independence, grief in older adulthood can impact every dimension of well-being—emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical. As a grief-informed coach, I use the HEALING assessment protocol to support older adults with empathy, structure, and respect for their unique journey.
What Is the HEALING Assessment?
HEALING is a trauma-informed, integrative assessment model designed to guide grief coaching with older adults. It helps identify where each client is within their grief experience and tailors interventions to meet them with compassion and care. Each letter in HEALING represents a vital coaching checkpoint:
H – History of the Loss: Exploring the story of the loss and how it's shaped the client’s current experience.
E – Emotional Landscape: Identifying dominant emotions (e.g., sadness, guilt, numbness) and recognizing emotional triggers.
A – Adaptive Capacity: Assessing how the client is coping and functioning in daily life.
L – Layers of Grief: Uncovering multiple grief sources—ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, or cumulative losses.
I – Identity Shifts: Understanding how grief has affected the client's roles, purpose, and sense of self.
N – Needs for Support: Clarifying what support systems are in place and what might be missing.
G – Goals for Healing: Collaboratively setting intentions for growth, meaning-making, and future-oriented well-being.
Why It Matters
Unlike a clinical diagnostic approach, the HEALING model is strengths-based and person-centered. It provides a structured yet compassionate roadmap that honors each person’s resilience, allowing grief to be witnessed—not fixed. For older adults, this model supports dignity, autonomy, and emotional validation at a time when loss often intersects with other life transitions.
How Coaching Helps
As your coach, I don’t offer therapy—I offer a space for healing conversations, reflective insight, and future-focused planning. The HEALING protocol ensures our sessions are intentional and responsive, meeting you exactly where you are, whether you're just beginning to process loss or searching for new meaning in the wake of it.
If you or a loved one is navigating grief in later life, I invite you to reach out. Healing is possible—and it begins with being seen, heard, and supported.
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Healing?
If you or someone you love is navigating grief in later life, you don’t have to walk through it alone. Coaching can provide the compassionate support and structured guidance needed to process loss and rediscover meaning. Together, we’ll create a safe space to honor your story, build resilience, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn how the HEALING assessment protocol can support your journey.
