A Different Season: A Practical Guide for Growth While Grieving A Death - Softcover

Joseph Robert Pfeiffer, LCSW, is a licensed clinical therapist, nature photographer, writer, multimedia producer and grief therapist with over 25 years of grief and trauma counseling experience. He is also ordained clergy within the UCC-- United Church of Christ--Congregational Denomination. Joe is a speaker and consultant in the fields of clinical social work and human development. His deep passion for the earth inspired him to develop the theme of his book. he is also the author of Bereavement Handouts: Reproducible Educational Handouts for Clients.

A Different Season has been a great consolation and guide for individuals in our congregation. Written in an accessible, easy-to-read style, this book offers practical wisdom and support so that the experience of grief might become the very material from which renewed faith and emotional health might grow. --Reverend Cheryl Cornish

It's perhaps one of the best approaches to dealing with loss/death I've seen in sometime. As a counselor, I find the book helpful, because it raises issues in grief work individuals might not even consider: how sexuality is affected, what to do with possessions, and other social matters of new roles, depression, secondary losses, family & friends, etc. I am not a religious person but do have an empowered spirituality. The meditations in the book compliment the practical information which I find useful, appealing and attractively arranged. --Dr. Philip Williams

This is a remarkable book that offers an innovative approach to grief walking and grief working that, most especially, helps us claim the innovation that we need to accompany our own journey. It balances traditional language and definitions with current clinical practice and insights with the timelessness of spiritual care. Following seasons (we understand the images and pictures), but rearranged to better express the journey through loss, each section offers a meditation (very first person and, quite frankly, equally honest and useful for those who wonder if God is useful!), a question and a saying statement; (yes, you say it aloud), a brief reflection (that's a gift in this book, everything is brief). Grief is complicated enough without our becoming a burden to them, a Healing Thought verse (a measure of hope that is honest and realistic) and the energy to nudge forward the next page. A very good book for the bereaved who will allow themselves to measure their own needs as they read what they feel helps them at the moment. Also, the spiritual aspect, without hitting us over the head, is very helpful to counselors and caregivers who may not be comfortable (and thus avoid) these issues and dynamics, enabling the client to bring his/her spirituality into the discussion is desired. A Different Season is an outstanding gift item and very helpful for support groups. --Rev. Richard B. Gilbert