My Story of Grief and Recovery

In the summer of 2013 my mother died at the age of 83. Some friends and even family members told me that she was at peace now, that she had a full life, that she was lucky that she didn't had to suffer and that I should be grateful for all of it. 

What my heart heard was: No need to grieve, no need to be sad, and just get on with your life.

Although I had helped many people navigate through difficult life challenges and had experienced dramatic loses in the past nothing prepared me for the sadness that accompanied the days, weeks, and months after my mother's death. 

All of a sudden I felt like I had forgotten who I was and with my mother gone, no one was there anymore to remind me from time to time. 

Since I had no support to find my way through this difficult terrain, I turned to what I already knew. I created little rituals to honour my mother, I painted a lot as a way to express and transform what I was feeling, and I shared my sad feelings only with people who I trusted to listen and not shy away from them. 

By taking actions such as these, I discovered that my pain and sadness moved into a new direction. I was able to release the ifs and should-haves and felt a much greater sense of peace and balance. Rather than feeling consumed by grief whenever I thought of my mother, I was able once again to think of her with a gentle smile on my face. 

Having guided myself through this intense grieving process, I became clear about my life's purpose and realized that I felt called to help others navigate through their grieving process. 
This video is a homage to my mother. 
She taught me resilience, love, and
​a great sense of humour.

The Healing For Grieving Hearts Program gathers my own personal experiences and expertise with grief, the therapeutic art interventions I have used for decades as an Art Therapist, and clear action steps, then weaves them together within an honest, compassionate, cushion of care. 

It is lovingly designed to help you heal the very natural grief your heart is feeling, to cherish fond memories without having them precipitate painful feelings of regret or remorse, and to emerge feeling re-energized, recommitted to your own life, and open to stepping into the next expression of your life's purpose.  


I will guide you through your personal grieving process with compassion and honesty.

Jacqueline Steudler 
Art Therapist, Grief Recovery Specialist®, Creative Grief Coach
Jacqueline’s Healing for Grieving Hearts program was an oasis in my life at a time when I was grieving two losses: the loss of a beloved pet, and the loss of a significant relationship (through conflict, not death). Jacqueline’s caring presence and guidance, together with the exercises she created for me, created a very safe space to voice and explore my difficult feelings. I loved how the exercises helped me get out of my head, and into the truth in my heart. Through the program I found peace and clarity, and a renewed sense of direction in my own life. 
                                                                                                                                                                           - K, Nova Scotia