Renewed hope there is life after death, with Bereavement Therapist Alison Yendell [INTERVIEW]

I am constantly surprised how my clients are some of my greatest teachers and without fail I receive as much healing from them as they do from my work. – Alison Yendell

Grief touches everyone differently. “Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, grief also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual and philosophical dimensions.”  Bereavement Therapist Alison Yendell helps her clients work through their grief and while helping others, she continues heal. She has turned her personal loss, into something that inspires and helps others move forward and ease their pain. Ms. Yendell shares with us a bit about her journey as a Grief Coach, in this interview. 

“While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement refers to the state of loss, while grief is the reaction to that loss.“

About Alison Yendell

To be honest, I hadn’t intended to become a Grief Coach. But after the loss of my beautiful 25-year old daughter Maya Rose, to a heroin overdose, it was something that reluctantly found me. Yet, this deep and powerful work seems to be a destination that I have been traveling toward my whole life.

I worked with heroin addicts in Hong Kong. I distributed relief supplies to third world islands in the Caribbean. And I did extensive grief and trauma work on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana.

I have also known the joy and challenges of raising four children as a single mother, while doing intuitive healing work and therapeutic massage.

These days, I live in California with my Italian Mastiff, Blu. You’ll often find us hiking and meditating in Nature (which I consider the greatest healer of all.)

Speaking of healing, my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one. But especially the parents of a child who has transitioned.

It is my mission and my honor to help bring wholeness to the hopeless. And help those who are lost find their way.

What motivated you to become a wellness coach? 

I have always been in some kind of service, either distributing relief supplies to third world countries or taking in teenagers who had nowhere to sleep. It is who I am and I don’t see it as something separate. My motivation for wellness comes from seeing my life evolve from depression and addiction to a journey of wholeness and a love for life.

How do you work with clients? 

Nature is one of our greatest teachers and healers. I love to help my clients reconnect back into nature and incorporate other natural healing modalities into my work. 

What is your communication style?

I come with an open heart and share my vulnerabilities very openly so my clients can feel immediately safe to share their deepest pain. I believe when someone feels safe it gives room for healing to begin

How do you motivate your clients?

I motivate my clients by helping them uncover their deepest passions and buried desires and find a way to bring them back to life.

How do you integrate technology in your coaching?

Technology can be used as a great tool in keeping my clients connected with each other and creating a community of support for one another.

What are the benefits of attending one of your retreats? 

My clients will come away with a renewed hope that there is life after death. They will leave with an excavated heart bringing to life new opportunities for their future and many modalities and tools to keep moving forward. My next retreat is Bringing Light to Grief at Hidden Leaf Baja.

 

What type of support system do you have to keep your coaching practice moving forward?

I have many like minded friends and a business partner with another business that keep me motivated and moving forward.

Do you collaborate with other wellness coaches? 

Yes and I also facilitate Psilocybin retreats in Mexico with another wellness coach. 

What are the health benefits of working with a wellness coach like yourself?

It can help bring in another perspective that one may have never seen and explored before.

Tell us something fun about you. 

I love to take adventures into very remote places and explore indigenous people and how they live. I also love to sail and be out at sea for days at a time.

Do you incorporate music into your coaching?

Yes absolutely, music is one of the great healing modalities I use.

What books are you reading?

Currently I’m reading 4 books. Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, DR Joe Dispenza, The Surrender Experiment, Michael Singer (second time reading this life changing book,) The Presence Process, Michael Brown, and Get your Shit Together, Amy Joy.

How do you define luxury?

I believe it’s in the smallest of details that define luxury.

Thank you Alison for sharing your story with us!

To learn more about Alison and her upcoming Bringing Light to Grief at Hidden Leaf Baja, click here.