Never the Same - by Donna Schuurman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For those who experienced the death of parent during their childhood or teen years, a guide to understanding and working through the impact this loss continues to have on their adult lives

Children and teens who experience the death of a parent are never the same. Only in the last decade have counselors acknowledged that children grieve too, and that unresolved issues can negatively impact children into adulthood. Unaddressed grief can lead to depression, substance abuse, and relationship difficulties. For at least three generations of adults, these issues have been largely ignored.

Having worked with thousands of families as Executive Director of the Dougy Center for Grieving Children, Donna Schuurman understands the dangers of unresolved grief better than anyone else. In Never the Same, Schuurman offers expert advice and encouragement to empower readers to reflect on their unique situation, come to terms with the influence of their parent's death, and live more healthful, peaceful lives.

The only book of its kind, Never the Same is an essential companion for those still struggling with the early loss of a parent.

Review Quotes

"A remarkably jargon-free book that is filled with practical advice and worksheets." --Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"If you, or anyone you know, had a parent die in childhood, drop everything and read this book. Dr. Schuurman's wisdom, humor and conversational style engages the reader with thought-provoking insight and practical suggestions. This is not 'just another' self-help book: it could, quite literally, change lives." --Lynne Ann DeSpelder, coauthor of Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying

About the Author

Donna Schuurman speaks regularly in national venues in her role as Executive Director of The Dougy Center for Grieving Children (Portland, OR), the first peer grief support program in the world for children, teens, and families. She has directed The Dougy Center for seven years, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the largest professional association of educators, counselors, and thanatologists in the country. She received her doctorate in counseling from Northern Illinois University in 1990, and has a masters in communication from Wheaton Graduate School.