About Pam Monjar

A Little About Me

I have a heart and passion for working with people in middle (40s) to older adulthood (65+ years of age). I love walking side-by-side them, and witnessing their capacity to grow and be transformed by their story of grief and loss. The most amazing part of our work together is discovering the art of adaptation. It is extraordinary. I believe the calling on my life is to help people navigate the losses experienced throughout their lifespan.

In May 2000, my mother-in-law passed away, she was in her 70s. On the day she died, our family experienced the deep and painful sadness of loss. We were overwhelmed with grief. As we were wiping tears and trying to stabilize a world that seemed to be spinning out of control – I heard laughter and joy. As our family moved into the elevators to leave the hospital, we witnessed the happiness of another group of people celebrating the birth of their new family member. On that day in May 2000, I began my journey to become a grief and loss therapist and started to learn about our capacity, as humans, to hold the sadness of grief and loss in one hand and the joy of life in the other.

When I have free time, I love to take long rides with my husband and precious pup, create memories with friends and family, hanging out at the bookstore (I LOVE books!), stopping at the local ice cream shop for some yummy treat, and continuing to do my own grief and loss work.

The Grief Journey

Grief is associated with any significant life-changing event. How we internalize the loss is where our journey begins. Grief and loss can leave us feeling depressed, anxious, lonely, vulnerable, and scared. You do not have to walk the path alone. We will start where you are and together, unpack your grief and loss story and discover what is needed to navigate the painful place you find yourself. Our work will be to integrate the loss into your life, reconnect to your heart, and heal the soul woundings of your grief and loss story.

Therapy Approach

As a grief counseling specialist, it is my experience that even in the midst of great loss we can still have hope and until we acknowledge the loss, we cannot heal our grief and loss story. The potential for transformation is nothing short of beautiful and remarkable. I use a variety of techniques to help you unpack your grief and loss story and assist with the integration of loss into your life. I work from an integrative, holistic (mind, body, soul), and relational perspective. First and foremost, I have a heart for sitting with those in the midst of some of the saddest moments in their lives. I use narrative and experiential therapies, therapeutic writing, metaphors, guided imagery, journaling, meditation, mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and hold space for you as you evolve through your grief and loss story.

My Education

  • Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling -Trevecca Nazarene University.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Management in Human Relations -Trevecca Nazarene University

My Memberships

  • American Counseling Association
  • Nashville Area Association Christian Counselors
  • Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association

My Certifications and Other Training

  • Certified Grief Counseling Specialist
  • Certified Grief Educator
  • Certified Grief Movement Guide
  • Licensed Professional Counselor — Mental Health Services Provider
  • Nationally Certified Counselor
  • Formally trained in Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapy – Level I
  • Formally trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Prepared/Enrich Certification (pre-martial counseling)
  • Reiki Levels 1&2
  • Trauma Competency for the 21st Century
  • Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR)
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)

About My Grief Educator Certification

A Certified Grief Educator is committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief. 

Certified Grief Educators completed a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler. They bring his unique methodology, tools, and decades of experience to help people navigate the challenges of grief.