Transform Your Loss: Your Guide to Strength and Hope

by Ligia M. Houben

A self-help book that helps people deal with losses or difficult life transitions such as the death of a loved one, loss of health, loss of a job, or divorce-romantic break-ups. "In a well-organized and engagingly written book, Ligia Houben offers a map to guide people through the grieving process. The personal anecdotes make it much more real than books that describe situations of loss in merely abstract terms, and the interactive exercises throughout encourage the reader to explore personal reactions to loss. The author conveys genuine empathy as she talks to readers about what they are feeling, and I found myself trusting her completely as a caring guide who wants to provide grieving people a positive approach to help them move ahead toward finding the strength and hope truly to transform their lives". -Stephen Sapp, AB, MDiv, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Miami.

Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2012

About the author

Ligia M. Houben, MA, FT, FAAGC, CPC, ChT, is a pioneering grief and loss expert, educator, and author who has helped thousands find strength and hope through her compassionate guidance and unique methods. Known as "The Go-To Coach for Grief and Loss," Ligia combines her training as a Fellow in Thanatology with her rich experience in psychology, gerontology, and religious studies to bring a holistic approach to grief recovery.

She is best known for her “11 Principles of Transformation®,” a grief model introduced in her book "Transform Your Loss: Your Guide to Strength and Hope." It is designed to guide individuals from emotional pain to personal growth.

Ligia has appeared as a grief expert on CNN Español, Univisión, NPR, and NBC, and her book "Counseling Hispanics through Loss, Grief, and Bereavement" has become a key resource in hospitals and mental health clinics, particularly for those working with the Hispanic community. Her most recent book, "Déjame Vivir Mi Duelo… de adentro hacia fuera", available in print and audio, offers a compassionate approach to grief recovery for Spanish speakers.
On November 19, 2024, this book will be offered in English,
"Allow Me to Live My Grief...and Heal from the Inside Out."

With a background that spans over a decade of teaching courses on Death and Dying at Kaplan University and Florida International University, Ligia brings academic rigor to her work when needed. She has also led seminars across the U.S., presented for PESI for mental health professionals, and conducted over 100 presentations in English addressing grief and loss transformation.

Reviews

[Arun Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

All humans at a certain point in life experience the overwhelming nature of grief following the death of a loved one. Pain of loss can feel overwhelming and coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s biggest challenges.

The purpose of this book is to help you, through the stories within these pages and the principles and suggested activities, to transform your loss, and therefore, change your life.

The author encourages you to understand that whatever bad experiences we have, it can be transformed to make us stronger. She encourages you to find the power that resides within yourself to transform your life in the way you react to the pain that has created your loss.

The book presents stories to inspire you and help you in the grieving process. These stories show how people going through painful losses and difficult times have been transformed by them.

If you’ve faced loss of any kind and finding it difficult to come out of it, then this book can be your friend in need in your grieving process.

[Dale Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ligia describes the journey of grief with passion and professionalism. She guides the bereaved reader with skill and compassion. Ligia understands that grief is powerful, but resilience and hope are transformative. She is a trustworthy guide through the journey of loss.