Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services

07/21/2026

https://www.griefcounselor.org/2026/07/14/letter-to-the-editor-grief-is-a-beast/

By David Fireman, LCSW The Tribune’s article, “Grief is a beast”: Interventional care, palliative care. It’s time to consider bereavement care, speaks to something American society has overlooked for far too long. From the article: ‘Grief is a beast’ “The American Psychological Associa...

06/18/2026

https://www.griefcounselor.org/2026/06/16/the-afterimage-remains-what-the-rock-band-rush-teaches-us-about-grief-creativity-and-beginning-again/

By David Fireman, LCSW I have been thinking a lot about the Canadian rock band Rush—not only for their musical brilliance or the warmth and complexity of their sound, but also for their connection to grief and their ability to keep creating through devastation. As a grief counselor, I spend a grea...

02/04/2026

https://www.griefcounselor.org/2026/02/04/when-the-world-stops-making-sense-parkes-assumptive-world-and-the-polycrisis-were-living-in-part-ii/

by David Fireman, LCSW I decided to apply Parkes’ ideas to our current world situation. Therapy has always been a “space” for examining and working on personal problems. But it also has always been a container for world tension and weariness. These days the convulsions erupting in our world ar...

01/27/2026

https://www.griefcounselor.org/2026/01/27/grief-as-transition-rethinking-loss-through-colin-murray-parkes/

by David Fireman, LCSW When I think about grief in my work as a psychotherapist and social worker I sometimes return to the ideas of Colin Murray Parkes. His way of understanding loss feels grounded in what I see every day with clients. He does not treat grief as merely an emotional breakdown or a [...

01/03/2026

https://www.griefcounselor.org/2026/01/01/paradox-enigma-mystery-grief-as-the-ultimate-diy/

by David Fireman, LCSW   Grief is not a moral lesson. It is not a test. It is not a blessing in disguise, or a path chosen by a wiser universe. Grief is what happens when someone who mattered is no longer here, and the world strangely keeps going along anyway. Any examination of grief […]

12/03/2025

https://www.compassionatefriends.org/wcl/?state=il

The World-wide Candle lighting Memorial Service is held in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. Search by state to browse available WCL events.

12/02/2025

Dear Friends,

For 40 years, the Center for Grief Recovery has provided compassionate, expert support to individuals, couples, families, and groups facing loss. From our humble beginnings, we have grown into a trusted resource—passionate and stable in our mission, and deeply committed to ensuring that no one grieves alone.

Alongside our counseling services, we offer specialized professional development programs that train therapists, healthcare workers, clergy, educators, and other helpers in the skills of bereavement therapy. These programs allow us to extend our impact far beyond our own clinical work.

As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of supporters who believe in our mission: to empower individuals to heal their own lives. Your gift helps keep our services affordable, sustains our programs, and allows us to meet the growing needs of our community.

Please consider supporting us so we can continue this work for the next 40 years.

Make your donation here:

Home | The Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services

With gratitude,
David Fireman, LCSW
Director
The Center for Grief Recovery

Welcome to the Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services. Grief is a normal response to losing our loved ones, and it is not permanent. We can help you integrate feelings and experiences to move beyond helplessness and hopelessness into a life of new possibilities.

10/28/2025

How do you anticipate and want to move through winter and the holidays in a way that honours both your grieving and your loved one?

Grieving and Honoring Your Loved One Amidst Holidays and Celebrations: Workshop on Living with Grief With Jim Manzardo, LPC How do you anticipate and want to move through winter and the holidays in a way that honours both your grieving and your loved one? Where presently do you find strength, unders...

10/24/2025

Dear colleagues,

I’m excited to share that I’ll be leading a professional development workshop on November 21 in our center’s 1261 Space—a beautiful, brick-and-tin-ceiling venue at 1261 W Loyola Ave—perfect for gatherings of 25–30 people.

As I’ve been planning, it struck me how well 1261 works for others too—ideal for workshops, seminars, yoga or dance classes, etc. It’s warm, flexible, and designed to foster real connection—something I myself and I believe others have been missing since the pandemic.

I have put together rental guidelines and rates for those interested in using the space. If you’d like to host your own event here—or know someone whose work fits our mission—I’d love to hear from you.

If you’re interested in renting 1261 feel free to contact me at 773-274-4600 or email at
[email protected].

Warmly,
David

Here is the link to the upcoming workshop:

https://www.griefcounselor.org/ce-courses/attuned-accompaniment-empathic-responsiveness-in-grief-counseling/

10/24/2025

https://www.griefcounselor.org/ce-courses/attuned-accompaniment-empathic-responsiveness-in-grief-counseling/

Attuned Accompaniment: Empathic Responsiveness in Grief Counseling November 21, 20258:30am – noon As in psychotherapy, so too in grief counseling, the therapist/counselor and client engage in a process which explores/expands the client’s subjective experience but with an increased focus on react...