ABOUT US

Why We’re Here

Grief is universal—and uniquely personal. Most people don’t need a speech. They need something to try in the next ten minutes. We built the G.R.I.E.F. framework to turn compassion into action for grievers and the practitioners who care for them.

Two women sitting outdoors on a sunny day, smiling at the camera. One has long blonde hair and the other has curly gray hair, and they are in a natural setting with trees and rocks.

G.R.I.E.F. grew from decades of clinical work, community building, and lived experience. It isn’t a checklist to “get over it.” It’s a path you can re-enter on the hardest days and the ordinary ones.

Kelly and Karyn first connected when Kelly was leading a collaborative grief book project and posted in a Facebook group looking for authors. Karyn responded, and from their very first conversation, the connection was instant. They discovered a shared passion for supporting grieving individuals and striking similarities in their approaches and professional paths. Both had worked in hospice, and both believed that there are practical tools that can truly help support someone on their grief journey.

That first book became The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection. From there, their collaboration grew naturally. What began with one project has blossomed into an ongoing partnership including building frameworks, workshops, and now the GRIEF Ladies Podcast to help others navigate life after loss with honesty and hope. Sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about their future ventures!

A woman with light brown, wavy hair smiling, sitting outdoors on a rocky surface, wearing a sleeveless gray patterned top and light-colored pants, with jewelry on her wrists and fingers, background of green trees and bright sunlight.

Karyn Arnold

Karyn Arnold has served grievers for 25+ years as a facilitator, educator, and the founder of Grief in Common, an online community that connects people by shared experiences of loss. With a background in psychology and mind–body work, Karyn blends evidence-informed practice with simple daily actions that help people steady themselves and find support.

She has guided thousands of grievers through groups, workshops, and online programs, and partners with clinicians and organizations to make grief resources easier to find and use.

A smiling woman with curly gray hair sitting outdoors, wearing a navy blue sleeveless blouse with lace details, beige pants, a black watch, a silver bracelet, and a necklace, with a natural background of trees and sunlight.

Kelly Daugherty

LCSW-R, FT, BCC is a clinician, educator, board certified coach and founder of Center for Informed Grief in Malta, NY. A Fellow in Thanatology, Kelly has worked with individuals and families across hospice, schools, and private practice for over two decades. Her commitment to grief work began after her mother’s death during Kelly’s teen years, shaping a career focused on practical, compassionate support.

Kelly develops trainings for educators and mental-health professionals, consults with schools on grief-informed practices, and leads community programs that normalize grief while teaching concrete skills. She believes accessible, plain-language tools can change how communities show up for one another.

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