Gary Roe’s Healing Journey in Grief and Writing

Gary Roe, award-winning author and grief specialist, offers compassionate guidance to those navigating loss through his books and counseling.

Offering Compassion and Wisdom for Those Navigating Loss

Gary Roe, a grief specialist and award-winning author, shares his journey of healing, the power of writing, and his commitment to helping others navigate grief.

Gary Roe’s journey from personal loss to becoming a leading grief specialist is both moving and transformative. With nearly 40 years of experience in grief recovery, Gary has dedicated his life to helping others navigate the turbulent waters of grief. His extensive background as a former missionary, pastor, and hospice chaplain has allowed him to touch lives across various stages of grief and faith, offering empathy, wisdom, and spiritual insight.

A multiple award-winning author of over 20 books, Gary has crafted works that address the complex realities of grief while offering practical tools for healing. Among his most impactful works is Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child, which provides a lifeline to grieving parents, and Grieving the Write Way Journal and Workbook, a testament to the therapeutic power of writing. Through his books, speaking engagements, and online courses, Gary empowers individuals to embrace healing and ultimately find hope amidst the pain.

In a recent interview, Gary opened up about how his own personal experiences of loss and pain shaped his approach to grief counseling and writing. He shared, “I was raised in an environment of mixed messages and sexual abuse. I experienced massive losses in childhood and during my teen years. As I experienced healing in my life, I found myself wanting to help other wounded hearts heal and grow. This has been my mission since my late teens.”

“Gary Roe’s profound empathy, wisdom, and commitment to healing others make him a true beacon of hope for those grieving.”

Gary’s use of writing as a tool for healing began at the age of 15, shortly after the sudden death of his father. He began writing poetry, using it as a way to process and release his emotions. He emphasizes the power of writing in his book Grieving the Write Way Journal and Workbook, explaining, “Writing steadies our hearts enough to express our emotions in a healthy and productive way. It slows our spinning minds down enough to get our thoughts on paper and begin to process them.”

In Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child, Gary tackled one of the most difficult topics in grief—the loss of a child. He shared that writing the book was challenging, as he sought to meet grieving parents where they were and offer them hope amidst their overwhelming loss. “Grieving parents write to me all the time, saying how transformative and helpful Shattered was for them,” he said. “It continues to be my best-selling book.”

Gary’s holistic approach to grief also addresses the spiritual aspects of loss. As someone who has served in various roles within the church, he believes in meeting individuals where they are in their grief journey, including their spiritual lives. “I believe that Jesus Christ is the ultimate grief expert. In the Bible, He is called a ‘man of sorrows, one well-acquainted with grief.’ He empowers me to love people where they are, as they are, which brings a sense of safety and healing.”

Balancing the demands of his writing, speaking, and grief counseling work is no easy task. Gary emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries while staying flexible to meet the needs of those he serves. He credits his wife and mentors for helping him stay grounded and aware of when he needs to recalibrate.

Looking ahead, Gary is excited about his upcoming projects, including new courses for his online school, Overcoming Grief. These courses will tackle issues such as anxiety, depression, guilt, forgiveness, and how to walk with God in times of suffering. Additionally, he’s writing his life story, with plans for publication in the near future. “If I can recover, heal, and grow, anyone can,” he said.

Gary Roe’s unwavering dedication to helping others heal from grief is a gift to all who encounter his work. His books, courses, and speaking engagements continue to provide solace and practical guidance to those navigating the difficult journey of loss.