Bounce Back Women-Guest Elizabeth Berrien

Elizabeth Berrien, Published Author, Speaker, Co-founder of The Respite: A Centre for Grief & Hope, Founder of Soul Widows

Elizabeth Berrien is a published author who co-founded the non-profit The Respite: A Centre for Grief & Hope and also founded the organization Soul Widows, for young widows age 60 and under. Her personal journey through grief began at the age of 27 when she lost her son to stillbirth in 2008, followed by the death of her late husband, a Special Forces soldier, in 2009. These two consecutive losses catalyzed her to create a space for other women suffering heartache and upheaval. As she sought community and healing, she began Soul Widows in 2010, only seven months after the death of her husband. She currently facilitates monthly Soul Widows support groups and retreats for other women who have lost their spouse or partner. In 2011, she met two incredible women with their own stories of loss, and together they founded The Respite: A Centre for Grief & Hope, which provides a variety of integrative services for people coping with all types of loss. She continues to inspire and provide hope to others grieving by sharing her story and through her writing.

Her most recent projects include the publishing of her book, "Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick's Path from Loss to Hope" (available July 2013) as well as being a co-author in the book "In the Spirit of Abundance" (Hayhouse, available summer 2013.)

 Websites:

 www.CreativeGrieving.com

 www.TheRespite.org

 www.SoulWidows.org