Karen Bulinski Mathison, MS, MHW

"12 Years in Death Care & Grief Education + 7 Years of Lived Experience = Your Guide Through the Unthinkable"

 

Karen Bulinski Mathison isn't your typical grief coach. With a Master's in Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University, plus more than12 years in death care and grief education, she brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to her practice. After navigating the devastating losses of her husband, father, and life partner, Karen discovered that real healing requires more than just "moving on" - it requires learning to carry grief without it weighing you down.

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That's why she created The Naked Grief approach: Raw Grief, Real Healing. No clinical BS, no toxic positivity - just honest, practical support for the messy reality of loss that creates lasting transformation.

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Karen's Journey

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Karen's path to grief expertise began in 2013 when she started writing bereavement books, never knowing she'd soon walk every word she wrote. Her 12-year professional journey included working in life insurance (2014), volunteering with Camp Erin at Roberta's House in Baltimore, networking with healing organizations like The Courage Lion Program, and working in cemetery services (2015-2018) - all while supporting families through their darkest moments.

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Then grief found her personally. The loss of her husband Scott in 2018, followed by her father in 2022, and the last man she loved, in 2024, didn't just change her life - they transformed her understanding of everything she thought she knew about grief. Her own journey through anticipatory grief, complex grief, and secondary losses taught her that sustainable healing requires both professional knowledge and authentic lived experience.

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But Karen's journey wasn't just about loss—it was about understanding the mental health crisis that grief can trigger. After losing her husband to a sudden brain aneurysm in 2018, Karen experienced not just grief, but depression, isolation, and moments where the pain felt unbearable. She learned firsthand that grief and mental health are inseparable. She also learned the difference between what coaching can offer and what requires licensed professional support. This understanding shapes everything she does.

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Why Karen's Approach Works

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✓ Educational Foundation: Master's in Mental Health & Wellness + Post-Graduate Life Coaching Certificate from Grand Canyon University
✓ 12 Years Professional Experience: Death care, life insurance, cemetery services, grief education
✓ 7 Years Personal Experience: Navigated husband's death, father's death, other close deaths, and all the secondary losses
✓ Comprehensive Certifications: Certified Death Doula, Art Therapy Coach, Emotional Trauma First Aid
✓ Proven Content Creation: Multiple published e-books and grief resources
✓ Raw Authenticity: Real talk, practical tools, sustainable healing that honors both pain and strength

✓She knows her lane AND knows when to refer out. Karen is a grief coach, not a therapist. She understands the difference and will tell you clearly if you need more support than coaching can provide. Your safety and wellbeing come first.

✓Mental health is part of the conversation. Grief often triggers depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Karen addresses this openly and connects you to crisis resources (988, prevention organizations, therapists) when needed.

✓She's building partnerships with mental health advocates. Through collaborations with organizations, and licensed professionals, Karen ensures you have access to the full spectrum of support.

✓ Featured In: Brainz Magazine https://www.brainzmagazine.com/executive-contributor/karen-bulinski-mathison

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My Purpose: Helping people recognize the root of their heartache and heal from the inside out, because every person I help reduce their heartache, in turn, helps heal mine."