Meet the Writers!

NITA AASEN, author
St. Peter, MN
GIVING GRIEF A VOICE
Author of Living Still, Loving Always Nita has worked as a nurse in rural and urban hospitals and as a nursing instructor for the last 17 years in public health. Nita Aasen earned her undergraduate nursing degree from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and a master's in Health Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Working in the obstetrical unit, medical surgical areas, and the emergency room brought a myriad of contacts with those confronting death and dying, loss and grief. As a nursing instructor at a small private liberal arts college, she brought these educational and clinical experiences to the classroom. Years later, when her two young adult sons, Erik and David, were killed in a freak car accident, she learned how little she truly knew about grief. Nita has been a contributor to Bereavement Magazine and Living With Loss Magazine since 2003. Her column, GIVING GRIEF A VOICE, explores the many issues associated with a catastrophic loss and parental grief.
Visit www.wilsonpublishinghouse.com

MITCH CARMODY, author - speaker - workshop presenter
Hastings, MN
THE COLORS OF GRIEF
Author of Letters to My Son: A Journey Through Grief Mitch Carmody is a prolific writer, sought after speaker and intuitive artist. A popular presenter at bereaved parent conferences and general bereavement programs, Mitch believes we must be proactive in our grieving. Since the death of his son 20 years ago, Mitch has dedicated his life to helping the bereaved navigate the uncharted territory of death, dying and the bereavement process. Through his compassionate insight and gentle spirit he will touch your heart and give you tools to aid you on your journey. Mitch has developed a new forum for the bereaved titled: Proactive Grieving™… a paradigm shift in processing loss. His newest workshop, "Proactive Grieving" and the website named for it explore the many faces of grief through art, music and writing. Mitch and his wife Barb live in rural Minnesota and are the proud grandparents of their first grandchild.
Visit www.heartlightstudios.net. www.proactivegrieving.com.

LINDA GOLDMAN, author - grief therapist - presenter
Chevy Chase, MD
HELPING CHILDREN & TEENS WITH TRAUMATIC GRIEF
Linda is a Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement with an MS degree in counseling and Master’s Equivalency in early childhood education. Linda is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and National Board Certified Counselor. She was a teacher and counselor in the school system for 20 years and has a private grief therapy practice in Chevy Chase, MD working with children, teenagers, families with prenatal loss and adults. Linda Goldman is the author of Life and Loss: A Guide to Help Grieving Children, Coming Out , Coming In and Children Also Grieve. Visit www.childrensgrief.net.

SANDY GOODMAN, author - speaker - workshop presenter
Riverton, WY
GRIEVING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Sandy is the author of Love Never Dies: A Mother’s Journey from Loss to Love,, a speaker, workshop presenter. Sandy became a bereaved mother in 1996 when her 18-year-old son, Jason, died in an electrical accident. Four years later, she realized she had survived the unthinkable and she began writing and speaking about her journey and the gifts she found along the way. Sandy's column is eclectic, humorous, insightful and free-flowing – if you’ve scoffed at the concept of ‘finding closure’ and you often find yourself coloring outside the lines, then watch Sandy’s column. Sandy has presented workshops at the Compassionate Friends National Conferences and Bereaved Parents of the USA. Her chat room, Love Never Dies 4 U is an innovative and receptive alternative to the "norm" of grief support and education. Visit www.loveneverdies4U.org. www.loveneverdies.net.

J. SHEP JEFFREYS, Ed.D., F.T., grief psychologist - author - presenter
Columbia, MD
GRIEF PSYCHOLOGIST CORNER
Shep Jeffreys is a licensed psychologist and a Fellow in Thanatology. Following his son Steven’s death, his work focused on helping grieving people. In addition to clinical practice, Shep is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and an affiliate assistant professor of pastoral counseling at Loyola College, Maryland. He has served as a trainer with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross nationally and internationally and as a consulting psychologist for the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service. Shep is the author of Helping Grieving People-When Tears Are Not Enough: A Handbook for Care Providers. Listen to his audio series at
www.Griefcast.com. or visit www.GriefCareProvider.com

RACHEL BLYTHE KODANAZ, Executive Director of Heartlight Grief and Loss Center
Denver, CO
SINGLE AGAIN GRIEVING THE LOSS OF YOUR SOUL MATE
Rachel Blythe Kodanaz entered the grief world in 1992 when her husband died suddenly leaving her with a two-year-old daughter. She spent several years trying to find her path through grief and as a part of her recovery became active in supporting others who were suffering loss. Currently, Rachel is the Executive Director of Heartlight Grief and Loss Center located in Denver, Colorado. She facilitates numerous groups including a Baby Boomer Widow Support Group, multi-day workshops, keynote addresses and training classes. In addition, her experience working in large corporations led her to develop and publish material to support the workplace when dealing with a grieving employee or workgroup, with an emphasis on educating managers and co-workers. Rachel authored "Grief in the Workplace" a bereavement resource booklet published by Bereavement Publications, Inc. Rachel presents to corporations, communities, not-for-profit organizations, funeral directors and conferences. Rachel has been a contributor to Bereavement Magazine and Living With Loss Magazine since 2003. Visit www.griefintheworkplace.com www.heartlightcenter.org

HARRY MCDONALD, retired school counselor – spiritual director ACIM
Grand Junction, CO
HEALING EXPRESSIONS
Harry McDonald is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor and school guidance counselor. He was Spiritual Director at United Church of Christ and has led and taught spiritually-centered workshops and classes in A Course in Miracles for over 20 years. His first novel, Touched by Love: A Parable for Today, contrasts the path of listening to Divine love with the actions produced by blind belief. Helping others with loss and the personal losses in Harry’s life have contributed to learning about the power of love, acceptance and forgiveness. “Finding life and love in the anguish of loss is part of the story about the some of the most incredible people I know.” Harry’s column will highlight how touching Love generates transformation and healing.

HAROLD IVAN SMITH, author - teacher - speaker - counselor - certified funeral celebrant
Kansas City, MO
Grief Stories
Harold Ivan Smith is an exceptional wordsmith and storyteller with a talent for helping people view information from a new perspective. Through his stories listeners and readers say, “I never quite thought of it that way before.” Harold Ivan leads “Grief Gatherings” – innovative storytelling groups at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO, and at workshops and trainings across the country for hospice and pastoral leadership conferences. Harold Ivan is a Fellow in Thanantology, recognized by the Association for Death Education and Counseling, a board member of ADEC, a faculty member of the American Academy of Grief and an adjunct professor in the doctoral program at Northern Baptist Seminary. Author of GriefKeeping: Learning How Long Grief Takes, The ABC’s of Grief and many more.

DR. ROBERT R. THOMPSON, MD
Zumbrota, MN
HEALING THE BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
Dr. Thompson received his medical education at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School in Philadelphia, PA and additional training in psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic. He served two years in the USPHS stationed in a remote Alaskan village on the Yukon River where his interest in rural medicine was kindled. During his 35 years of rural medical practice, Dr. Thompson served as a community hospital hospice consultant and worked as a medical officer in a federal medical prison where he started a hospice program. Dr. Thompson is the author of numerous articles on medical and medical-social topics, and the author of Remembering: The Death of a Child, a poignant story about the loss of his son 18-year-old son, Paul Leslie Thompson. Visit www.sugarloafpublishing.com

DR. ALAN D. WOLFELT, Ph.D, C.T., grief counselor - educator – presenter – author
Ft. Collins, CO
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR THE GRIEVING SOUL
Dr. Wolfelt is an internationally noted author, educator and grief counselor. He serves as Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and is on the faculty at the University of Colorado Medical School’s Department of Family Medicine. Recipient of the Association of Death Education and Counseling’s Death Educator Award, Alan is committed to helping people mourn well so they can live well and love well. Among his many books on healing in grief are Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart, and The Journey through Grief: Reflections on Healing. Dr. Wolfelt has been a contributor to Living With Loss™ Magazine for more than 15 years. For more information about Dr. Wolfelt, his books and seminars visit: www.centerforloss.com