New Directions Counseling Center

09/29/2026

www.alcoholdrugtreatment1.com

Enrollment Steps For Outpatient Alcohol or Drug Counseling Programs, Information About Types of Programs For Adults and Youths

09/27/2026

09/27/2026

Every once in a while, I think it's probably good for me to step out from behind the words I write and tell you a little about the person who's actually sitting here writing them.

My name is Gary, and long before I ever wrote a book about grief, I spent more than 30 years working in banking. I never imagined that one day I would be writing about loss, facilitating grief groups, working in hospice, or sharing my thoughts with hundreds of thousands of people.

That part of my life began because of something I never wanted to happen.

In 2014, my husband Rob died from metastatic melanoma. I cared for him at home through the final part of his illness, and I was there when he died. I was 50 years old and suddenly had to figure out who I was when the life I thought I was going to have was gone.

Eventually, I found myself wanting to help other grieving people feel a little less alone. I trained in hospice and bereavement work, became a grief coach, began facilitating support groups, and started writing. Not because I had grief figured out, but because I knew what it was like to live it.

And somewhere along the way, those writings became books and this community.

Today, I live near the coast in Massachusetts. I love to read and the beach is my happy place. I have a little dog named Zoe who I adore. And I find so much joy in supporting this Surviving Grief community because it allows me the opportunity to meet so many compassionate and kind people. It seems strange to say I find joy in writing about grief, but I do. And that joy comes from knowing that maybe somewhere in the world something I write is helping to make someone feel less alone.

I'm still a pretty ordinary guy. I worry about my family. I love being near the ocean. I have good days and bad days. I still think about Rob. I still say good morning and goodnight to him. And even after all these years of writing about grief, sometimes I sit down to write and have absolutely no idea what I'm going to say until the words start coming.

Most of what I write begins with something one of you has said to me. A comment. An email. A question. Something that makes me think, "We need to talk about this."

So if you've ever wondered who's on the other side of these posts, that's a little bit about me.

But I'd also like to know a little more about you.

Where are you reading this from, and who’s the person you carry with you?

I truly believe we're all just walking each other home, and I feel so blessed to have you walking alongside me on this journey we never wanted to go on.

-Gary

09/14/2026

08/03/2026

Happy Monday! Use this time to remember that you don’t have to do it all, and you definitely don’t have to do it all at once.

08/03/2026

https://fb.watch/IMG515rma8/

07/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100044003913416/posts/1574911553985627/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Everyone can play a role in su***de prevention. Some warning signs may help you determine if someone in your life is at risk for su***de.

💚 Know the warning signs
💚 Seek help by calling or texting 988 or chatting online 988lifeline.org

06/09/2026

Evaluations and counseling services play a crucial role in mental health and well-being. They provide individuals with the tools necessary to navigate personal challenges and foster growth. Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of mental health support for their employees, highlighting the need for effective evaluation methods to tailor counseling approaches. By investing in these services, companies can enhance workplace wellness and improve overall productivity.

04/21/2026

https://www.dea.gov/takebackday

The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications fro...