What’s Your Grief Support Style? Take This Free Quiz to Find Out

Grieving woman taking the grief support style quiz on her laptop

You’ve heard it before: Grief is not one-size-fits-all—and neither is grief support!

What works for one person might feel overwhelming, rushed, or even boring for another. Some people thrive in group settings, while others prefer self-guided support. Some want deep, introspective exploration, while others need clear, actionable steps to move forward.

So, how do you know what kind of grief support will actually help you?

That’s exactly what my Grief Support Style Quiz is designed to uncover.

In just seven quick questions, you'll get insight into how you naturally navigate grief and get matched with support tools that align with your needs, preferences, and personality.

Man sitting on a ledge taking the free grief support style quiz

Everyone Grieves, But Not All Grief Support Is for Everyone

If you’ve ever tried grief support that just didn’t work for you—whether it was 1:1 therapy, a support group, a book, a podcast, or an online course—you’re not alone. The truth is, there are so many ways to receive support after loss, and finding what actually helps can feel overwhelming.

I remember “auditioning” multiple therapists after my mom died and wondering what was wrong with me for not finding one that clicked right away. None of these therapists (or their methods) was inherently bad; I just realized that the format of therapy was the best fit for me. Imagine how relieved I was to discover books and online courses that helped me move through grief in a more clearly defined way—just what my brain needed in the midst of chaos and disorientation!

Finding the best support for you after loss is sort of like knowing “a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square situation”—but with MUCH more grief involved!

In other words, everyone grieves but not all grief support is for everyone.

That’s where knowing your grief support style can really help.

Much like personality types or learning styles, we each have a unique way of approaching grief support. Some of us need structure and the feeling that we’re “making progress”, while others crave flexibility and the freedom to choose their own path. Some of us prefer to process alone, while others heal through connecting and sharing stories with others.

Understanding your own style can help you stop wasting time on support that doesn’t fit—and start engaging with support that actually works for you!

Introducing: The Four Grief Support Styles

While everyone’s grief journey is unique, I’ve discovered—through more than eight years of working with grievers—that most people fall into one of four general styles of grief support:

Self-Checkout Style: Fast Results, Self-Guided

You’re independent and practical, preferring grief support that’s quick, actionable, and to the point. You want resources you can access on your own time, without long commitments or drawn-out discussions.

Road Trip Style: Longer Journey, Self-Guided

You see grief as an ongoing process and prefer to explore at your own pace. You love deep dives and self-study prompts that allow you to gather knowledge and insights along the way.

Teammate Style: Fast Results, Group-Oriented

You thrive in structured group settings where learning and healing happen together. You’re energized by shared experiences and appreciate the motivation and accountability of a community.

Classroom Style: Longer Journey, Group-Oriented

You’re a lifelong student who values rich discussions, in-depth exploration, and ongoing connection. You prefer grief support that evolves over time, allowing you to continuously grow and reflect on what you’ve learned.

Do any of these sound familiar? Maybe you see yourself in more than one!

Woman smiling while finding out her grief support style thanks to Shelby Forsythia's free quiz

Find Out Your Grief Support Style Now

Rather than guessing (or spending your precious energy trying every grief support option under the sun), take the quiz and discover what actually works for you:

Click here to take my free Grief Support Style Quiz!

After you get your results, I’ll send you a few personalized recommendations for grief support tools that match your style, so you can start getting comfort and relief in a way that truly fits you.

It’s Okay to Do Your Grief, Your Way

No matter what your grief support style is, remember that there’s no “right” way to grieve. Just like the title of my second book states, it’s okay to do your grief your way.

I need you to know: If something hasn’t worked for you in the past, that doesn’t mean you’re doing grief wrong—it just means you haven’t discovered the style of grief support that’s best for you yet.

There’s a world of options at your fingertips (it’s one good thing about grieving in the age of the Internet and social media!).

So go ahead. Take the quiz, get your results, and start finding support that actually helps.

Discover your grief support style today.

Shelby Forsythia

Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief coach, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major life transitions.

Following her mother’s death in 2013, Shelby began calling herself a “student of grief” and now devotes her days to reading, writing, and speaking about loss. Through a combination of mindfulness tools and intuitive, open-ended questions, she guides her clients to welcome grief as a teacher and create meaningful lives that honor and include the heartbreaks they’ve faced. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine.

https://www.shelbyforsythia.com
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