‘A truly helpful, honest, and important trail map for the journey we all eventually must take through grief’ – Steve Leder, New York Times bestselling author of The Beauty of What Remains
‘An immense amount of knowledge and science around grief and the grieving process’ – Colin Campbell, author of Finding the Words
When social worker Lisa Keefauver became a widow in 2011, she was alarmed to discover that even though 100 percent of us experience loss, we’re living in a grief illiterate world. In her work as a therapist, and in her search for help in the wake of her own loss, Keefauver began to see how the misguided stories we consume about grief lead to unnecessary suffering.
Responding to the problematic narratives that grief is something to move on from after completing the five stages like some sort of to-do list, Keefauver became a grief activist. Through this book and her hit podcast of the same title, she creates a safe place to be inside the messiness of it all, to discover the full spectrum of grief, and to find the tools that help grievers move forward, not on.
Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is a comprehensive guide-both a manual full of insights and skills and, even more importantly, a thoughtful companion that helps readers feel seen and held.
Keefauver shares her personal and professional wisdom alongside the lessons she’s learned from clinicians, authors, poets, and friends. In place of rigid instructions and must-do checklists, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch invites reflection, encourages self-compassion and explores the therapeutic power of humour with, yes, a bit of profanity.
‘An immense amount of knowledge and science around grief and the grieving process’ – Colin Campbell, author of Finding the Words
When social worker Lisa Keefauver became a widow in 2011, she was alarmed to discover that even though 100 percent of us experience loss, we’re living in a grief illiterate world. In her work as a therapist, and in her search for help in the wake of her own loss, Keefauver began to see how the misguided stories we consume about grief lead to unnecessary suffering.
Responding to the problematic narratives that grief is something to move on from after completing the five stages like some sort of to-do list, Keefauver became a grief activist. Through this book and her hit podcast of the same title, she creates a safe place to be inside the messiness of it all, to discover the full spectrum of grief, and to find the tools that help grievers move forward, not on.
Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is a comprehensive guide-both a manual full of insights and skills and, even more importantly, a thoughtful companion that helps readers feel seen and held.
Keefauver shares her personal and professional wisdom alongside the lessons she’s learned from clinicians, authors, poets, and friends. In place of rigid instructions and must-do checklists, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch invites reflection, encourages self-compassion and explores the therapeutic power of humour with, yes, a bit of profanity.
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Reviews
Lisa Keefauver has crafted a warm, irreverent, and powerful guide for those of us who are either navigating grief, or supporting the bereaved. She manages the extraordinary feat of being inviting and accessible while at the same time packing in an immense amount of knowledge and science around grief and the grieving process. Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is an extraordinary, must-read companion for anyone struggling with any form of grief or loss. - Colin Campbell, author of Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose
A truly helpful, honest, and important trail map for the journey we all eventually must take through grief. In easy-to-remember, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always truthful ways, Lisa is a superb guide. - Steve Leder, New York Times bestselling author of The Beauty of What Remains: How Our Greatest Fear Becomes our Greatest Gift
Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is wise, accessible, safe, practical, and ultimately life-enhancing. Lisa's capacity to capture so many types of grief experiences, while honouring each and every one of them, astounds and comforts. This book is a true companion that each of us should always have close by. - Myra Sack, founder of E-Motion, Inc., author of Fifty-seven Fridays: Losing Our Daughter, Finding Our Way
This must-read companion guide for those who are grieving has captured the heartbreak of grief with compassion, insight and humour. Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is the book we have been missing! - Melissa Gould, author of Widowish
'Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is a candid, direct, and at times humorous exploration of the life-changing tides of loss. Keefauver expertly combines her clinical background and personal experiences to provide us with a compassionate and practical guide for navigating all forms of grief. Whether your loss was long ago or last week, this book will help you find your own way of living with it.' - Marisa Renee Lee, author of Grief Is Love: Living with Loss
When we lose a loved one, Lisa Keefauver reminds us in Grief is a Sneaky Bitch, grief becomes a part of our story. But the good news is that it will never be our whole story. What could be more hopeful than that? Barbara Becker, author of Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind
Lisa Keefauver has done something miraculous in this book in that she has taken the griever into account. She knows that her readers will need short, easy-to-digest material while also providing them with depth, profundity, and step-by-step invitations to process grief. Grief is a Sneaky Bitch reads like a witty, truth-telling best friend mixed with the most supportive grief counselor you'll ever meet. A beautiful companion for anyone moving through loss. Steph Jagger, author of Everything Left to Remember: My Mother, Our Memories, and a Journey Through the Rocky Mountains
An indispensable purchase...[Grief is a Sneaky Bitch] reassures readers that all their feelings and reactions are okay and dispels the myth that there is a singular "right" way to grieve...Keefauver's warm conversational tone, along with a "judicious use of cussing," permeates,exploring the physical and psychological effects of grieving and our cultural grief illiteracy... absolutely essential, highly recommended...- maybe buy two. Booklist
After becoming a widow, social worker Lisa Keefauver was shocked to discover how woefully ill-equipped our society was to deal with grief, despite it being an unavoidable part of life. This book is her empathetic yet candid guidebook-both a skills-building manual and a supportive companion validating the rawest emotions. Integrating wisdom from clinicians, authors, and hard-won personal experience, Keefauver upends reductive, traditional narratives about grief. ― Tertulia
Through her work as a counselor and an activist, and now in her book, which takes its title from the podcast she launched in 2019, Keefauver uses humor and profanity to describe the disorientation that accompanies the ebb and flow of the grieving process. Publishers Weekly
With her trademark warmth and humor, Lisa demonstrates how we can hold both sorrow and wonder at the same time, not as a Pollyanna illusion but as a way to turn towards our darkest experiences. She shares profound insights on speaking up for our grief, finding community and ritual to make it suck less, and tools we can use to nourish our mind and spirit for the road ahead. Whether you're personally grieving or want to support someone who is, Lisa provides actionable advice on how we can all hold space for the bereaved and bear witness to the profound experience of loss. ― I Don't Know How You Do It podcast
Written in the tone of your "wise best friend", this book will keep you company, teach you, and support you as you navigate loss. Grief Is My Side Hustle podcast
Lisa Keefauver shares insights and compassion along with humor. She talks about the importance of sharing her husband's life, not just his death. She encourages grief supporters to keep showing up for our grievers and to remember it's not anyone's job to fix them. Grievers aren't broken. There's nothing to fix. Her fabulous book Grief is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss is one to own and gift. We love it as a grief resource. Coffee, Grief & Gratitude podcast