KELLY

Daugherty

A smiling woman (Kelly Daugherty) with curly blonde hair wearing a blue dress.

CELEBRATE THEIR LIFE

Support for Those Grieving. Training for professionals. Compassion for all.

Logo for the 2024 International Book Awards celebrating 17 years in the publishing industry with a stylized flame on the left and text on the right
Logo of the Coalition of Visinary Resources (COVR) for the Covid-19 pandemic, with a stylized globe, and text indicating it was awarded by COVR in 2025.

Hi, I’m Kelly.

I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE.

With more than two decades of experience, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Grief Counselor, and Fellow in Thanatology (the study of death, dying, and bereavement), and have been providing individual and group grief counseling since 2002.

As one of the leading authorities on grief and healing, I help people make a pivotal shift, from being consumed by the pain of loss to embracing life with renewed purpose. Whether you’re navigating a loss yourself or trying to support others in grief, my work helps you shift from silence and confusion to clarity, connection, and compassion.

With a fresh, accessible approach, I offer a universal path forward—one rooted in hope, growth, and the power of honoring life, even in the midst of grief.

Learn more
A stylized illustration of a purple butterfly with white accents and a swirling line extending from its tail against a black background.
A woman (Kelly Daugherty) with curly blonde hair smiling, wearing a tan blazer over a black shirt and a necklace.
A woman (Kelly Daugherty) with curly gray hair smiling while standing in a sunflower field during daytime.

The Center for Informed Grief

Professionals need better grief tools. I’ve got them.

Through the Center for Informed Grief, I help professionals who work with grieving individuals deepen their understanding of grief beyond outdated models. I equip them with the latest research, practical techniques, and assessment tools to support clients effectively.

My approach includes exploring grief in both children and adults, discussing the complexities of diagnoses like prolonged grief disorder, and incorporating meaningful rituals—such as shamanic practices—to foster healing.

Through my work, professionals gain the skills and confidence to provide compassionate, informed support that truly meets the needs of those they serve.

Explore Trainings

What They Say

  • "That time with you made such a difference to me. I wish every grieving person could get to this place. I still have tears, and sometimes at awkward moments (like last week when a little town band in northern Vermont played 'Somewhere Out There' from the children’s movie An American Tail), but I am so much more settled and peaceful."

  • "I loved hearing about the different models, different tools (Ripples of Grief, Grief Timeline), learning about creative interventions, learning about assessment tools, and talking about how to ask questions about spirituality with patients. This was all fantastic."

  • "Amazing job by the speaker. Really loved the section looking at our own grief and how it relates to our practice."

  • "Kelly's passion and knowledge are inspiring and tremendously helpful. She is always generous with her knowledge and resources."

  • "I really enjoyed this training. Kelly kept me interested and I really appreciated the examples and resources she shared."

  • "Kelly was very knowledgeable, helpful, and informative on new therapy methods to treat those who are grieving."

  • "Loved Kelly! She was excellent and extremely knowledgeable in grief."

Two women sitting on wooden chairs outdoors, smiling. One woman has blonde hair, wears a white cardigan and green top, the other has curly gray hair, wears a blue sweater. They are at a gathering, with trees and blue sky in the background.

Grief Retreat

A Retreat for Connection and Peace

Our 3-day After-Death Connection Retreat offers a safe and supportive space to reconnect with your loved one has died. Through the Induced After-Death Communication (IADC), evidence-based practices, and restorative rituals, you’ll be guided to process grief, address unfinished emotions, and strengthen the enduring bond you hold. Held in the peaceful Adirondack Mountains at Silver Bay YMCA Retreat Center, this intimate retreat includes private accommodations, nourishing meals, and a compassionate community.

How This Retreat May Support You

While every experience is unique, many people who attend this retreat notice:

  • a softening of the sadness

  • greater comfort with memories and reminders

  • a stronger sense of connection to the person who died

  • greater clarity about their grief

  • feeling less emotionally overwhelmed

These shifts don’t change the love — they change how the grief feels inside you.

Explore Grief Therapy Services

Podcast

GRIEF Ladies: A Guide to What Comes Next

Join Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold on The GRIEF Ladies: A Guide to What Comes Next, a podcast that makes room for the real experience of grief. The parts that are messy, meaningful, confusing, and deeply human.

Whether someone you love has died or you’re supporting someone who is grieving, this podcast offers validation, perspective, and practical steps you can actually use as you figure out how to move forward with love rather than pain.

Available on all major podcast platforms and on YouTube.

If you’re looking for more support and connection, consider joining the GRIEF Ladies Community on Facebook — a free, private space to learn, share, and be understood.

Listen Now
Book cover titled 'The Grief Experience' featuring a blue lotus flower and subtitle 'Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection' by Kelly Daugherty.

A powerful collection of personal narratives

From 25 authors sharing their unique experiences with grief. The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection aims to offer solace, understanding, and 25 valuable tools for those navigating the intricate landscape of grief.

Order Now
Browse Kelly’s Books

Whether you’re grieving or guiding, I’m here to help.

I’ll support you with counseling, resources, and training designed to bring clarity, compassion, and connection to grief.

Contact Kelly