About Vanessa
I know that grief can change everything
I'm a holistic grief coach and certified grief educator, as well as a BANT registered nutritional therapist, wellbeing coach and spiritual life coach. I've also written three books about grief and how to survive it.
But before I became a grief coach and author, I became a bereaved mother. My son died, changing my life forever. Then two years later during the pandemic, I lost my husband and father during the same three-week period and I found myself having to navigate multiple traumatic losses.
Why I became a holistic grief coach
I personally struggled to find effective grief support, so now I aim to offer what I needed but was unable to find.
I understand the devastation of life-changing loss because I've lived it and my experience of profound grief and trauma means I'm able to guide others who are going through a similar experience with true understanding, as well as being in a position to provide professional advice. I offer a unique type of bereavement support, looking at all aspects of the grieving process with a mind, body, spirit approach.
I can't take your grief away, but I can help you learn to carry it.
lived experience + professional support + holistic approach
"Vanessa's book ‘Love Untethered’ was a lifeline for me, and then reaching out to her for grief coaching was the best decision I ever made."
"Vanessa helped me to make sense of everything and offered pearls of wisdom and advice which really supported me."
"An inspirational grief coach"
You don't need to go through this alone
Holistic grief coaching provides a compassionate space for you to find ways to navigate the physical, emotional and spiritual impact of your grief. If you'd like to find out more, I'd love to hear from you. Please use the contact page to get in touch with me, or find more information about how you can work with me here
What people are saying about Vanessa's book 'Love Untethered'
'This is the best book I have ever read on the loss of a child. I have read numerous books to help understand my grief but this is most validating and accurate. It is the book I often revisit.'
'I thoroughly recommend this book. The honest and immediate way Vanessa tells her story makes it easy to connect with someone who knows what it feels like to grieve for a child. Add to that her really useful advice and this book is excellent.'
'Love Untethered enables a deeper discussion about bereavement and PTSD'
'This should be a text every bereavement counsellor has to read.'
What people are saying about Vanessa's book 'When Grief Takes Everything'
"Vanessa May is the friend we ALL need while we sit at our kitchen table, head in our hands, our lives blown open. She has walked the path and forged a REALISTIC way to “do” this life within our unfathomable loss.
"When Grief Takes Everything offers beautifully relatable AND reliable methods to help you adapt to living in your new life while holding space to investigate and integrate your loved ones and what has come before."
"I couldn't put the book down. Vanessa writes with a raw truth and honesty that really speaks to anyone that is grieving or wants to support someone that has suffered unimaginable loss. She has walked a path through utter devastation but importantly she has dug her way out with her bare hands."
"I read 'Love Untethered' just after I lost my daughter and do not think I would have survived without it. In 'When Grief Takes Everything' Vanessa has expanded on this and the resources are invaluable."
What people are saying about Vanessa's book 'Supporting Your Grieving Client'
‘Vanessa’s courageous survival of personal bereavement, combines with extensive professional experience to make this a deeply insightful guide into working sensitively and confidently with clients affected by grief.'
'Fantastic read, highly recommend to any healthcare professional wanting to deepen their understanding of how best to support a grieving client/patient. I have come away with some new tools which I will use in my own clinic.'
'A vital missing link in practitioner education.'
Go to Books page to find out where to buy Vanessa's books