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Restored: A Self-Paced Grief Workbook for Your Journey from Loss to Life
Are you suffering from a heartbreaking loss? In your grief are you experiencing yearning, longing, disbelief, extreme sadness, confusion, numbness, overwhelm, exhaustion, insomnia, anger, inability to focus, agitation, or anxiety? Do you feel you have lost a part of yourself? After working with hundreds of grieving clients over the course of twenty years, Licensed Counselor, Marilyn Willis developed this proven step by step process to help you navigate through a heartbreaking loss to the restoration of your life. This workbook is beneficial for survivors of loss, and those who desire to provide comfort. Discover how to: GOLD MEDAL WINNER 2020 Grief/Hardship Category by Readers Favorite
GOLD MEDAL WINNER 2021 Aging/Death & Dying Category by Elit Awards
ENDORSED by Grief Experts: ★★★★★ "An excellent resource to rely on over and over as one moves through grief...offers a brilliant framework to assist the mourner in a step by step process to the restoration of body, mind, and spirit." - Susie Kuszmar , LMFT, Creator and Director of nationally awarded FOOTSTEPS Hospital Bereavement program ★★★★★ "Being a mother who lost her son to cancer, and has been through grief counseling and grief groups, this particular grief workbook goes deeper into the pit of emotional and spiritual pain and shines a bright light on the path-way out of that dark place." - Lacene Downing , former Manager of international funeral services company and grief group facilitator ★★★★★ "It brings the grief group experience, that so many in our hospice and community have benefited from, directly to your home and heart." - Mary Wall, RNC , the President of the Board for Kauai Hospice ★★★★★ "What a masterpiece... thorough, practical, tender, and personal! There is so much honoring of the deceased in the healing process. This could be used privately, but also it would be powerful to walk through with either a counselor, or small group." - Leah Green , Navigators Marriage Getaway Co-Director
GOLD MEDAL WINNER 2021 Aging/Death & Dying Category by Elit Awards
ENDORSED by Grief Experts: ★★★★★ "An excellent resource to rely on over and over as one moves through grief...offers a brilliant framework to assist the mourner in a step by step process to the restoration of body, mind, and spirit." - Susie Kuszmar , LMFT, Creator and Director of nationally awarded FOOTSTEPS Hospital Bereavement program ★★★★★ "Being a mother who lost her son to cancer, and has been through grief counseling and grief groups, this particular grief workbook goes deeper into the pit of emotional and spiritual pain and shines a bright light on the path-way out of that dark place." - Lacene Downing , former Manager of international funeral services company and grief group facilitator ★★★★★ "It brings the grief group experience, that so many in our hospice and community have benefited from, directly to your home and heart." - Mary Wall, RNC , the President of the Board for Kauai Hospice ★★★★★ "What a masterpiece... thorough, practical, tender, and personal! There is so much honoring of the deceased in the healing process. This could be used privately, but also it would be powerful to walk through with either a counselor, or small group." - Leah Green , Navigators Marriage Getaway Co-Director
274 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2020
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Willis
3 books2 followersEvery grief journey starts with a first step. Author, Marilyn Willis, took her first step at fifteen years old after her mother died from cancer. Her healing began in high school when she joined a grief group. Recognizing the healing power of community, Marilyn has been leading grief groups ever since and has seen the content, dialogues and exercises found in the RESTORED workbook restore lives.
Mary Wall, RNC, the President of the Board for Kauai Hospice stated, "Marilyn was hired as our bereavement coordinator and quickly became the best bereavement coordinator I have worked with. Marilyn was most well known in the community for the impactful grief groups she led for Gentiva Hospice families and the community. All her members felt accepted, understood and more at peace after completing the group. In RESTORED, Marilyn has been able to bring the grief group experience, that so many in our hospice and community have benefited from, directly to your home and heart. Sharing the stories of many survivors of loss, this workbook gives you a place to process your loss, learn about common reactions to grief and engage in practices that help you reflect on the changes taking place in your life."
Marilyn Willis is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, who graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Master of Arts in Counseling. Over the past twenty years, Marilyn has been leading grief groups at churches, nursing homes, and as a hospice bereavement coordinator.
Mary Wall, RNC, the President of the Board for Kauai Hospice stated, "Marilyn was hired as our bereavement coordinator and quickly became the best bereavement coordinator I have worked with. Marilyn was most well known in the community for the impactful grief groups she led for Gentiva Hospice families and the community. All her members felt accepted, understood and more at peace after completing the group. In RESTORED, Marilyn has been able to bring the grief group experience, that so many in our hospice and community have benefited from, directly to your home and heart. Sharing the stories of many survivors of loss, this workbook gives you a place to process your loss, learn about common reactions to grief and engage in practices that help you reflect on the changes taking place in your life."
Marilyn Willis is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, who graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Master of Arts in Counseling. Over the past twenty years, Marilyn has been leading grief groups at churches, nursing homes, and as a hospice bereavement coordinator.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 5, 2021
Wonderful Grief Workbook for Christians
This book is written by a woman who's been a bereavement coordinator for a hospice organization, so she understands loss and grieving. The workbook is divided into sections that are guided by five principles: re-establish order, reset expectations, remember your loved one, renew your identity, and restore life after loss. Each of these is broken down further, giving you many things to think about as you build a new life after the death of a loved one. I have to say, though, that I wish it was more General. Lots of Bible quotes are scattered throughout as well as other references to Christianity. Not everyone who grieves, of course, is Christian. Perhaps the author will consider making a book for those who do not adhere to those faiths. But for Christians facing loss, this could be a helpful book as they work through grief and come to a new normal.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
This book is written by a woman who's been a bereavement coordinator for a hospice organization, so she understands loss and grieving. The workbook is divided into sections that are guided by five principles: re-establish order, reset expectations, remember your loved one, renew your identity, and restore life after loss. Each of these is broken down further, giving you many things to think about as you build a new life after the death of a loved one. I have to say, though, that I wish it was more General. Lots of Bible quotes are scattered throughout as well as other references to Christianity. Not everyone who grieves, of course, is Christian. Perhaps the author will consider making a book for those who do not adhere to those faiths. But for Christians facing loss, this could be a helpful book as they work through grief and come to a new normal.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
March 21, 2021
Being a Christian woman and reviewer of nonfiction Christian books that I’ve become, I reviewed/reviewed the 6-day devotional version of this book. Ms. Willis, in her devotional desires, to take her readers out of the abyss and chaos caused by the death of a loved one back to living again by seeing how the Lord hasn’t abandoned them in their grief and there to comfort them during their anguish and to learn how to apply scripture to their loss.
While Ms. Willis did a marvelous job writing this book for Christians to get over their loss, she realized there’s a lot more for individuals to restore themselves to their former selves besides the support found in reading scripture. In addition, recognizing the need for everyone, especially those who are not Christians or who do not read scripture, to overcome their tragic loss, Ms. Wilis using her twenty years of counseling experience, created this detailed workbook for readers to work through and regain their former well-being, using a systematic, step-by-step process to steer themselves through the maze emotions of restoration that exists.
Grief is debilitating to different extents depending on the individual involved, which is why this workbook can be highly advantageous for not only any sufferer of the loss of a dear departed individual, it can serve as a vast array of information for anyone who desires to provide comfort and support to a grieving individual. This workbook provides the necessary steps required for an individual to regain the clearness of their mental thought processes, strength in their emotional status, and restore an individual’s interest in doing things and associating socially with other individuals.
The interweaving of scripture adds a spiritual quality to what this workbook is offering. For wanting to restore the daily existence to the lives of grieving individuals in a straight-forward, easy to comprehend and follow manner, I’ve given Ms. Willis 5 STARS for her commitment in achieving this goal through the pages of her endeavor here.
I received a PDF.file copy of this book and the above has been my honest opinion.
While Ms. Willis did a marvelous job writing this book for Christians to get over their loss, she realized there’s a lot more for individuals to restore themselves to their former selves besides the support found in reading scripture. In addition, recognizing the need for everyone, especially those who are not Christians or who do not read scripture, to overcome their tragic loss, Ms. Wilis using her twenty years of counseling experience, created this detailed workbook for readers to work through and regain their former well-being, using a systematic, step-by-step process to steer themselves through the maze emotions of restoration that exists.
Grief is debilitating to different extents depending on the individual involved, which is why this workbook can be highly advantageous for not only any sufferer of the loss of a dear departed individual, it can serve as a vast array of information for anyone who desires to provide comfort and support to a grieving individual. This workbook provides the necessary steps required for an individual to regain the clearness of their mental thought processes, strength in their emotional status, and restore an individual’s interest in doing things and associating socially with other individuals.
The interweaving of scripture adds a spiritual quality to what this workbook is offering. For wanting to restore the daily existence to the lives of grieving individuals in a straight-forward, easy to comprehend and follow manner, I’ve given Ms. Willis 5 STARS for her commitment in achieving this goal through the pages of her endeavor here.
I received a PDF.file copy of this book and the above has been my honest opinion.
November 15, 2020
Insightful
"RESTORED" is a self-paced grief workbook with step by step principles towards deeper healing.
This book will empower the readers to release the painful, energetic vibration of grief and step into the higher version of themselves. The author walks the reader through a well-outlined application of energy psychology, tapping into the body's ability to self-heal, and release painful emotional blocks that keep us in a state of suffering. Within these pages of the book, you will find peace, comfort, community, compassion, and the path you are seeking.
Apt illustrations, tables, and thoughtful reflections explained in a clear and simpler way as an attempt to put the pieces of life back together.
Marilyn's genuine enthusiasm for helping people by sharing her personal experiences, many resilient survivor’s stories, suggested exercises, and reflection questions to attain their highest self comes through magnificently in this book.
A healing read with a glimmer of hope that you can ease your pain for good.
"RESTORED" is a self-paced grief workbook with step by step principles towards deeper healing.
This book will empower the readers to release the painful, energetic vibration of grief and step into the higher version of themselves. The author walks the reader through a well-outlined application of energy psychology, tapping into the body's ability to self-heal, and release painful emotional blocks that keep us in a state of suffering. Within these pages of the book, you will find peace, comfort, community, compassion, and the path you are seeking.
Apt illustrations, tables, and thoughtful reflections explained in a clear and simpler way as an attempt to put the pieces of life back together.
Marilyn's genuine enthusiasm for helping people by sharing her personal experiences, many resilient survivor’s stories, suggested exercises, and reflection questions to attain their highest self comes through magnificently in this book.
A healing read with a glimmer of hope that you can ease your pain for good.
October 13, 2020
A hands-on, personal workbook for anyone living in the wake of grief, loss, suicide, and emotional trauma. If you’ve ever lost someone, and most of us have, then you will relate to this book right away.
Grief can manifest itself in various ways, from depression, to denial, to reckless behavior, substance use, and anything in between. This accomplished and experienced author hopes to guide you through your feelings so that you can come to an understanding of grief, what it means in your life, and how you can manage it. Yes, healing from grief is possible, and Willis shows you how, with clinical anecdotes, images, and her own expertise. Since each person’s journey through grief is unique, this workbook asks you to personalize the material and use the practical advice, recommended exercises, and personal questions in an honest way.
Not only is this book a valuable resource for professionals, it’s a thinking, feeling, and behavior tool for the person struggling with grief. One thing I like–and there are many–is that Willis uses a body/mind/spirit approach, taking the whole person into consideration during the healing journey. Another thing I like about the book is that it doesn’t let you wallow in grief. It asks you to examine it, and then work your way out of it and into the sunlight again. Willis doesn’t ask you to minimize your grief or forget about your lost loved one.
This workbook is perfect for grief and bereavement support groups, but if you don’t feel comfortable sharing in one at this time, this book can be a bridge to opening up about it. It will help you deal with your loss in a private way. If you feel yourself being confused or consumed by grief, allow “RESTORED: A Self-Paced Grief Workbook for Your Journey from Loss to Life,” by Marilyn Willis, to lead you out of the wilderness.
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Grief can manifest itself in various ways, from depression, to denial, to reckless behavior, substance use, and anything in between. This accomplished and experienced author hopes to guide you through your feelings so that you can come to an understanding of grief, what it means in your life, and how you can manage it. Yes, healing from grief is possible, and Willis shows you how, with clinical anecdotes, images, and her own expertise. Since each person’s journey through grief is unique, this workbook asks you to personalize the material and use the practical advice, recommended exercises, and personal questions in an honest way.
Not only is this book a valuable resource for professionals, it’s a thinking, feeling, and behavior tool for the person struggling with grief. One thing I like–and there are many–is that Willis uses a body/mind/spirit approach, taking the whole person into consideration during the healing journey. Another thing I like about the book is that it doesn’t let you wallow in grief. It asks you to examine it, and then work your way out of it and into the sunlight again. Willis doesn’t ask you to minimize your grief or forget about your lost loved one.
This workbook is perfect for grief and bereavement support groups, but if you don’t feel comfortable sharing in one at this time, this book can be a bridge to opening up about it. It will help you deal with your loss in a private way. If you feel yourself being confused or consumed by grief, allow “RESTORED: A Self-Paced Grief Workbook for Your Journey from Loss to Life,” by Marilyn Willis, to lead you out of the wilderness.
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December 15, 2020
This is an interactive practical workbook that includes a detailed step by step approach and guidance on how to handle grief after loosing a loved one.
The workbook is packed with thoughtful suggested exercises and reflected questions, description of practices, examples and stories that are vital and invaluable in our journey towards handling our grief. It even has different approaches depending on who we lost and figures/graphics attached throughout the book to better illustrate the various concepts she writes about.
In my opinion this is the best book of its kind and I would highly recommend it to all those who have lost a loved one and are not sure how to handle it and recover.
Note that the author in some cases writes some quotes from the bible, but apart from this I believe that the book can be read by anyone irrespective of religion (you can just skip the quotes if they don’t resonate with you).
I received a free copy of this book but that did not affect my review in any way.
The workbook is packed with thoughtful suggested exercises and reflected questions, description of practices, examples and stories that are vital and invaluable in our journey towards handling our grief. It even has different approaches depending on who we lost and figures/graphics attached throughout the book to better illustrate the various concepts she writes about.
In my opinion this is the best book of its kind and I would highly recommend it to all those who have lost a loved one and are not sure how to handle it and recover.
Note that the author in some cases writes some quotes from the bible, but apart from this I believe that the book can be read by anyone irrespective of religion (you can just skip the quotes if they don’t resonate with you).
I received a free copy of this book but that did not affect my review in any way.
November 29, 2021
Wise, comforting and realist exercise choices, based on the experience of people who have faced and overcome the pain of a loss. The author, without meddling or imposing herself, helps to recognize, confront and restore oneself, with practices that are easy to follow, step by step, until it's easy to let go the weight of sadness and discouragement to return to live fully and in peace.
__________
Opciones de ejercicio sabias, reconfortantes y realistas, basadas en la experiencia de personas que han enfrentado y superado el dolor de una pérdida. La autora, sin entrometerse ni imponerse, ayuda a reconocerse, confrontarse y restaurarse, con prácticas fáciles de seguir, paso a paso, hasta que es fácil soltar el peso de la tristeza y el desánimo, para volver a vivir en plenitud y en paz.
__________
Opciones de ejercicio sabias, reconfortantes y realistas, basadas en la experiencia de personas que han enfrentado y superado el dolor de una pérdida. La autora, sin entrometerse ni imponerse, ayuda a reconocerse, confrontarse y restaurarse, con prácticas fáciles de seguir, paso a paso, hasta que es fácil soltar el peso de la tristeza y el desánimo, para volver a vivir en plenitud y en paz.
February 26, 2020
Speaking from the heart...
Marilyn has dealt personally with loss. She is a well-educated expert in her field but more importantly she has navigated loss successfully herself and she speaks about it from the heart. She understands the deep hurts that a loss brings and she teaches her readers the needed skills to work through their feelings. In addition to her own story and insights the book highlights several people sharing their own loss experiences - it makes you realize we are not alone, that loss and grief are a part of life that we all face, and that with help and the right skills we can find joy again.
Marilyn has dealt personally with loss. She is a well-educated expert in her field but more importantly she has navigated loss successfully herself and she speaks about it from the heart. She understands the deep hurts that a loss brings and she teaches her readers the needed skills to work through their feelings. In addition to her own story and insights the book highlights several people sharing their own loss experiences - it makes you realize we are not alone, that loss and grief are a part of life that we all face, and that with help and the right skills we can find joy again.
February 28, 2020
Restored is a comprehensive workbook that helps to normalize the grief journey that we all have to navigate when we lose our loved ones. Working through our intense emotions is so important so that we may eventually enjoy restoration and find our new normal. Grief is patient. It hangs around until we finally deal with it. Marilyn takes her readers through this complex journey in a loving and focused manner. This workbook isn’t a quick fix. It requires readers to get real with their thoughts and feelings. It’s WORK, but time well spent. This is also a wonderful resource for counselors and clergy who deal with families experiencing loss.
December 20, 2020
Marilyn has written an excellent resource for grief and loss. The exercises within the workbook are both practical and helpful. The personal stories shared lend an authenticity and depth to the material that is both insightful and profound. The flow chart to help make sense of the process of grieving and bereavement is extremely normalizing and reorienting to anyone who feels afloat on the seas of sadness. A very worthwhile read!
October 11, 2021
Good Book for Grief Loss for Christians, Would Need Adaptation for Non-Christians
Grief is a very specific field and RESTORED: A Self-Paced Grief Workbook for Your Journey from Loss to Life gives a good start with one caveat: it is really just for Christians. To a certain extent, I wish that Ms. Willis had added to the book options and paths for those who are not Christian, as they can benefit from the five principles and 15 practices listed in the book. The overview of the 5 R principles as listed in the illustration by Rachelle Walker is clear, very helpful, and direct. This one cartoon-like illustration sums up the entire book for those who are in the early stages and just not ready to read the entire work.
In my work with families of the dying or those who are grieving after a loss, these tenets are excellent; however, 99% of my clients are non-Christian, so giving them this book in this form would offend them. Overall, I found that the questions and examples given are appropriate for anyone in the grieving process or for those who are assisting or guiding others through the healing process. Many of these points are ones that are helpful to remember for those who are not able to participate in a grief support group, or during this pandemic, those who cannot gather easily with others who willingly would understand or share the journey of grief. A note in the introduction and a supplement would go a long way to help those who wish to use this book, but who do not follow a Christian path.
Again, this would be an excellent work for Christian religious based clinicians. For non-Christian clinicians, while the basic points are more than valid, it would be helpful to replace with verses and scripture from a text of the non-Christian religious tradition. The best part of the book would be the various reference sections after the chapters which can help to deepen the reader's understanding of the grief process and journey. Personal stories throughout the book give the overall text a feel that the reader is not alone in the process of a self-paced working through grief. The title truly reflects what this book does.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Grief is a very specific field and RESTORED: A Self-Paced Grief Workbook for Your Journey from Loss to Life gives a good start with one caveat: it is really just for Christians. To a certain extent, I wish that Ms. Willis had added to the book options and paths for those who are not Christian, as they can benefit from the five principles and 15 practices listed in the book. The overview of the 5 R principles as listed in the illustration by Rachelle Walker is clear, very helpful, and direct. This one cartoon-like illustration sums up the entire book for those who are in the early stages and just not ready to read the entire work.
In my work with families of the dying or those who are grieving after a loss, these tenets are excellent; however, 99% of my clients are non-Christian, so giving them this book in this form would offend them. Overall, I found that the questions and examples given are appropriate for anyone in the grieving process or for those who are assisting or guiding others through the healing process. Many of these points are ones that are helpful to remember for those who are not able to participate in a grief support group, or during this pandemic, those who cannot gather easily with others who willingly would understand or share the journey of grief. A note in the introduction and a supplement would go a long way to help those who wish to use this book, but who do not follow a Christian path.
Again, this would be an excellent work for Christian religious based clinicians. For non-Christian clinicians, while the basic points are more than valid, it would be helpful to replace with verses and scripture from a text of the non-Christian religious tradition. The best part of the book would be the various reference sections after the chapters which can help to deepen the reader's understanding of the grief process and journey. Personal stories throughout the book give the overall text a feel that the reader is not alone in the process of a self-paced working through grief. The title truly reflects what this book does.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2021
Must read for those working through grief
This is a powerful and helpful book. The author has spent time in grief and counseling many others in their grief. I experienced a lot of loss in a short amount of time and this book helped me tremendously. I enjoyed how the author gave space for notes and to jot down thoughts and prayers. I would recommend this highly to any believer going through grieving a loved one. Also the spiritual aspect was very biblically sound yet anyone would benefit from going through this book.
This is a powerful and helpful book. The author has spent time in grief and counseling many others in their grief. I experienced a lot of loss in a short amount of time and this book helped me tremendously. I enjoyed how the author gave space for notes and to jot down thoughts and prayers. I would recommend this highly to any believer going through grieving a loved one. Also the spiritual aspect was very biblically sound yet anyone would benefit from going through this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews