MY STORY OF GRIEF & PERSONAL GROWTH
In 2018, I faced one of the darkest chapters of my life when I experienced the death of multiple loved ones. I lost my father after a brave battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. Just four months later, tragedy struck again when my husband died after experiencing a sudden accident. As if that wasn't enough heartache, I experienced a miscarriage shortly after, grieving the loss of our second child.
These profound losses transformed my life in ways I could never have anticipated. They challenged me to confront my pain head-on. Through the guidance of grief support resources, including the research and insights I now share, I found that navigating through deep grief was not only about loss, pain, and sorrow; it was also about discovering strength and a path forward while honoring the memories of my loved ones and embracing personal growth.
Inspired by my journey...
I decided to channel my experiences into something positive, leading me to write "The Magical Soul," a heartfelt book for young children that aims to offer hope, solace, and comfort in the face of grief. I wanted to help children understand that even in the most challenging times, love and connection still exist. This was followed by my second book, "I Love You Always & Forever," which reminds children that they are still loved, even when there is a form of separation in their life.
To deepen my understanding of grief support and personal growth after loss, I earned a Ph.D. in psychology, focusing on the intricate journey of grief, personal and post-traumatic growth. Through my research, along with both professional and personal experiences, I’ve come to realize that while the pain of loss can be overwhelming, it often has the potential to catalyze profound personal growth and transformation. This process honors our pain while acknowledging the depth of our experiences and the significance of what we have lost. I’ve learned that, although the journey through grief is challenging, it can lead us to unexpected places that we may never have thought possible, as Dr. Mari Marquez emphasizes.
As a Researcher and a Personal Growth Educator ...
My mission as Dr. Mari Marquez is to inspire hope and open up possibilities for you by sharing research-backed tools and educational resources. These can facilitate positive changes in your life, particularly in the journey of personal growth after losing a loved one. I do this through the Growth After Loss Podcast and Growth After Loss workshops. My professional background is rooted in personal development principles, post-traumatic growth, and academic research. With specialized training in post-traumatic growth, grief support, and prolonged grief disorder, I provide a compassionate and knowledgeable perspective in my work.
I am proud to be a member of PSI CHI, the International Honor Society in Psychology, which reflects my commitment to excellence in the field. I currently serve as a facilitator for the Resilient Parenting Program at Arizona State University and as a Support Group Facilitator for Spanish-speaking widows through the Modern Widows Club. In my previous roles, I have supported individuals who have experienced the death of loved ones in traumatic losses by facilitating grief groups. In addition to pursuing my Ph.D., I hold an MBA with an emphasis in Leadership.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN ME ON:
Strategies for Emotional Processing & Adaptation After Loss
Join Dr. Mari's New Emotional Processing Workshop!
Led by Dr. Mari this workshop combines research and practical tools to help you navigate emotional regulation and adaptation after loss, empowering you to cultivate resilient grieving in a personalized way.
Download Your Helpful Guides
Finding Comfort Through Words: A Gentle Guide to Journaling
This compassionate guide offers a step-by-step process to help you with emotional processing after losing a loved one.
Navigating the "Grief Fog" with Science-Backed Tools
The Gentle Reset Guide provides you with practical, evidence-based techniques to support your adaptation process and enhance your emotional regulation.
Unlock Your Weekly Dose of Personal Growth Insights!
The "Unlock Your Weekly Dose of Personal Growth Insights" newsletter, created by Dr. Mari Marquez, is designed to support you as you navigate life after losing a loved one. Each week, you will receive comforting insights, grief support tools, and strategies that will assist you on your personal growth journey. This compassionate resource aims to guide you through your process of development, growth, and remembrance after the loss of a loved one(s).