Close-Up Talk Radio spotlights Bereavement Life Coaching by Shirley

Topeka, KS – We will all lose a loved one at some point in our lives, and yet we’re never truly prepared for it. Bereavement, the period of grief and mourning after the death of a loved one, can be a transformative experience. Unfortunately, many people struggle with bereavement because our cultural training is to ignore, deny, and avoid whatever is unpleasant. We live in a society that has sought to protect us from sadness. 

Shirley Bradley is the founder of Bereavement Life Coaching by Shirley, which offers compassionate companioning for individuals struggling with the loss of a loved one.

“The first thing a client does when they come to see me is that they apologize for their emotions,” says Shirley. "I allow my clients to be authentically emotional by creating a safe environment for them to to express their sorrow. It’s essential to be able to honor their story and validate their emotions."

According to Shirley, grief is not a mental health problem; it’s something everyone experiences, but they don’t have to do it alone. Having experienced grief herself, she has developed a more spiritual approach to recovery.

“I went deeply into my sorrow and I allowed the healing to happen on its own,” recalls Shirley. “So my focus is to allow my clients to grieve so we can work toward a new beginning, a new life, a new hope and a new joy.”

You have to create a new life in order to heal and recover. Shirley’s clients learn to utilize new skills and new ways of coping. They’re not trying to get over the pain, but rather learning how to work through the pain.

“My hope is that I empower and inspire my clients to live their highest vision and create a joyful, fulfilling life,” says Shirley. “I give as much of myself as I can because we’re walking a very sacred journey together."