The WGEC also offers consulting in the area of grief and trauma, providing public speaking, keynote addresses, workshops and educational services to business, support groups, funeral homes, and other organizations nationwide. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please send an email to Patrick Dean or call 262-534-2904.
In addition to working with people who have found help through this website, the Wisconsin Grief Education Center is currently accepting clients from mental health professionals, hospitals, hospices, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and community agencies, as well as referrals from past and current clients.

Since 1988, the Wisconsin Grief Education Center (WGEC) was the first center of it's kind in Wisconsin focussed exclusively on meeting the needs of people experiencing grief. For the past twenty years, I have worked with thousands of individuals and many organizations including police departments, public and private schools, and Boys and Girls Clubs around the country. The Wisconsin Grief Education Center is currently accepting clients from mental health professionals, hospitals, hospice, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and community agencies, as well as referrals from our past and current clients, in addition to working with people who have found us through this website.
Thank you for your interest in our services. We are devoted to helping individuals and families with grief-related issues and challenges.
Both grief education and specialized support can be used in conjunction with traditional methods of talk therapy. Working with the WGEC is not necessarily meant as a substitute for other mental health care. When in doubt, always consult with your doctor.
The services offered are considered "supportive care", meaning they work well with the advice and treatment of your doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat physical and emotional disorders and illnesses, but a person trained and certified in a specialized field of health care (thanatology; death, dying, and bereavement) can be a wonderful addition to any on-going physical/emotional care you may already be receiving.
Together we will take some time to explore new, authentic ways to live with your necessary grief. The goal is not "recovery" but rather a search for meaning and context that define a "new normal." Working together as a team, you may find the path through the chaos of your grief towards a healing that now seems elusive - maybe even impossible from your current perspective.
I wish you a newfound hope and healing on all levels affected by your losses; emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.
Day and evening appointments are available. All sessions are by appointment.

The Stories of Grief
Complex grief following a sudden unexpected loss (also known as complicated grief or trauma) never really goes away forever; instead - by actively engaging in the work of grief - it softens and changes into something that you can learn to live with, not against. Through conversation, creative healing processes and education, we problem solve your current and future life challenges following the death (or other losses) of someone in your life.
The Wisconsin Grief Education Center guides individuals and families through education, creative and experienced support, and training for issues and challenges related to grief. Grief is
viewed as normal, natural, and necessary, and is not thought of in terms of pathology or mental disorder. The WGEC provides grief education and support; we do not provide psychological testing, therapy, or assessments of any kind. We do network with recognized experts in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and medicine, and can make referrals to grief resources anywhere in the country.
The WGEC is mindful of the impact of grief on the mind, body, heart and soul of the bereaved. As such, it is always recommended that your self care plan include a physical and mental health checkup in the first year following a major loss. We continue working with Dr. Russ Brethauer, Psy.D for assessments, therapy, and referrals here in southeastern Wisconsin. A peer review in a recent issue of Milwaukee Magazine named Dr. Brethauer as one of the top psychologists practicing here. We are honored to be associated with Russ. And he's a nice guy, too. That helps.