Karen Gurian, MD | Certified Life Coach & Grief Educator

As a life coach, I support people through grief and loss.

Sometimes I get looks of confusion when I tell people what I do, as if life and grief are polar opposites

But grief and loss are a universal part of life.

Why I Became A Grief Coach:

I became a motherless daughter at the age of 10.

That early loss has shaped me - teaching me what it means to carry absence,
to be curious about grief over time, and to find ways
to live with meaning and joy alongside it.

My approach is grounded in both professional training and personal experience.
Becoming a grief coach is my way of honoring those I’ve loved and lost.
It’s my way of saying: their stories matter. Yours does too.

I offer the kind of support I wish I’d had after my mother died.

This work is my way of honoring the pain, the love, the longing, the resilience.

My work with Clients:

I believe the pain of grief lessens when shared and validated. Learning about grief
can open our hearts and help us continue our connection with those we have lost.

I offer a quiet, steady space for you to share your story. No fixing. No rushing.
Just room to grieve in your own time, your own way.

Here, there’s no expectation to “move on” or fit grief into stages. Grief simply isn’t linear. 

Each session is client-led, compassionate, and a safe place for difficult emotions.
Together, grief is honored, witnessed, and met with care.


Grief is not a detour from life; it’s part of how we live it.

Although grief is a normal response, it is not an easy path.
We can all benefit from support along the way.

Ready to Begin?

I invite you to connect with me - let’s get started with a no cost exploration call.

Schedule a free consultation

My Education & Training

  • Mayo Medical School, Doctor of Medicine

  • Mayo Clinic, Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology

  • Certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach

  • International Coaching Federation Certified Coach

  • Grief education training with both David Kessler; Megan Devine

  • Certified Mother Loss/Motherless Daughters Grief Provider
    with Hope Edelman and Claire Bidwell Smith

  • Certificate from the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care

  • Certificate from the Mindful Coach Method

  • End of Life Doula training, University of Vermont

Testimonials

Karen was able to help me explore an experience with grief that I had not fully processed; it was deeply healing. Through being able to just talk and have someone who is listening deeply, I was able to gain a different perspective on issues that had been causing suffering.

~MH

Karen has many strengths as a coach but her ability to "meet you where you are" really stands out. She is extremely knowledgeable on many topics but lets you (as client) lead the conversation. She is empathetic and kind, but also willing to really take a hard look at issues. If you are looking for coaching with a thought partner to help you process, Karen is a great choice.

~FC

Karen's warmth and instinct are so wonderful. She challenged me, pretty strongly at times, yet I always felt cared for and very much seen as I worked through the very important pattern she challenged.

~M