My name is Tammy, and I am the founder of Companion Through Grief, LLC. More than likely, if you are here, you have lost a loved one or know someone who has. I am sorry for your loss that has brought you here. I am here for you as a companion through your journey of grieving or comforting someone who is.
When I was younger I lost several of my family members in a very short time. This included cancer, suicide, auto accident and a family member dying of a heart attack at the cemetery during one of the funerals. I have also lost one of my twins before birth.
Through this horrible experience, my high school boyfriend, now husband of 40 years, joined the military. I found myself overseas in Europe in the 1980’s with no support and living in a German village that did not speak English. I was very isolated due to my husband being gone training for months at a time. I attempted to navigate my grief by myself, but that did not work out very well at all. It is through the many lonely years of grief as we traveled the world and lack of resources, that I decided to make a change and help others who struggle and feel alone in their journey through grief.
I have worked hard on my personal grief journey and learned how I could provide the most exceptional, top-notch, high quality services to others, so I am able to witness their pain soften and hope emerge.
I worked for the Department of Defense under military casualty with active duty service members of all branches, Gold Star Families, survivors of 9/11 and civilians for more than 15 years. I provided counseling, worldwide resources, children and teen grief camps, social events and facilitated support groups. I continue to work with this population in private practice through Companion Through Grief, LLC.
I hold a Bachelors of Social Work and a Masters of Social Work from Spalding University, and I am a Licensed Social Worker. I hold a Child Development Associates Degree through St. Catherine College, Certification in Thanatology and am a Fellow in Thanatology through the Association for Death Education and Counseling and hold three Certifications in Military Casualty. Additionally, I hold a Death & Grief Studies Certification graduating after personally studying under Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Dr. Wolfelt is recognized as one of North America’s leading death educators and grief counselors.
I specialize in working with children, teens, adults and families navigating the complex path of grief. I work diligently to meet the specific and unique needs of each individual in an environment which provides comfort, trust, compassion, and validation. Through counseling, strength-based, and culturally sensitive approaches, my goal is to ensure that each person feels heard, supported, and empowered to recognize their best approach, skills and tools for them to navigate their painful loss.
