Grief Certified Peer-to-Peer.

Experienced spiritual director, chaplain and bereavement professional

Individual support on zoom or in-person

Referrals to group support including in-person and virtual grief support programs

I offer grief healing retreats to widows and widowers who want an intensive immersive experience to experience their grief and its evolution.  I’m located in the Pacific Northwest and so these retreats will occur at some lovely wooded lakeside or peaceful oceanside venue so that nature can participate in the healing process.

Personalized 1:1 Grief Support

End-of-Life Support/Doula

Art Therapy, Memory/Processing Work

Farm Walks- Release and reconnect in a pastoral setting

Rita holds a Master Degree in Psychology-Counseling, a Certification in Bereavement from National University, a Certified Grief Educator from David Kessler, world renowned grief expert (#106028). She has been recognized and is the recipient of the: Susan B. Anthony Award, The Central Valley “Vida Del Valle” award and inducted into the Mexican-American Hall of Fame for her work in the field of healthcare.  

She has also attended several trainings offered by National Palliative and Hospice Care Organization.  Rita is bilingual in English/Spanish adding to her ability to able to provide comfort and solace to children and families and the elderly over the last 20+ years in communities throughout Central Valley communities of California.  

Rita has worked with families moving through various types of losses, from being diagnosed with long-term illness, Alzheimer’s Disease, suicide, sudden death and victims of crimes. She has been a guest speaker to a variety of Medical and Non-Medical groups, both onsite and via Zoom in both English and Spanish.   

Rita has always enjoyed counseling and working with individuals even at an early age. She found this would be her gift and path after the loss of her mother and then the diagnosis of her father with Dementia, where she learned that it is possible to lose a parent twice, first to Dementia and then to death. Then her most recent and painful loss was that of her spouse of 40 years. 

Rita is comfortable meeting and talking to people moving through difficult and painful situations that would make others uncomfortable. “I recall, in my early years sitting in a conference and when the talk about death and dying came up I noticed people leaving the class.” 

For many years, I have worked and volunteered with several care facilities, churches, and family friends and sat with patients as they took their last breaths. “I’ve always believed no one should die alone, as often times their last conversations have left an indelible mark on my path, I plan to continue to fulfill this gift.” 

I am a Certified Grief Educator, and I lead the Boston chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a support group for individuals who have experienced the death of a child, grandchild, or sibling.

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 have 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.