DISCLAIMER

Terms of Use & Community Guidelines

Effective Date: May 11, 2026
Company: The Naked Grief, LLC (“The Naked Grief,” “Company,” “We,” “Us”)
Website: thenakedgrief.com

By accessing our services, participating in our communities (including but not limited to Circle, MemberSpace, or Wix-hosted forums), or purchasing our products, you (“User,” “Member,” “You”) agree to be bound by these Master Terms of Use and Community Guidelines.

1. CREDENTIALS, COACHING, & CLINICAL BOUNDARIES (IMPORTANT)

The Naked Grief is not a clinical mental health provider, and its services are not a substitute for clinical care.

1.1 Professional Background & Credentials
Our founder, Karen Mathison, holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness (emphasis on grief and bereavement) and a post-graduate certificate in Life Coaching from a major university. These represent high-value, university-level academic credentials that are distinct in rigor and scope from standard or low-cost 'certification' programs. Her extensive training also includes specialized certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Art Therapy for Grief Healing, Trauma-Informed Somatics, and Psychotherapy.

1.2 Coaching vs. Psychotherapy
While these credentials reflect significant academic and practical expertise in the field of mental health and wellness, they are utilized within a coaching and peer-support framework only.

Non-Clinical Role: Karen Mathison and our facilitators act as Grief Coaches, not as licensed clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, or medical doctors.
Not Therapy: Our services (including the RAW Experience, Grief Skills Lab, and Wisdom Circles) do not constitute clinical psychotherapy, medical diagnosis, or medical treatment.
No Client-Therapist Relationship: Participation in our programs does not establish a clinical therapist-client relationship. If you require clinical intervention, therapeutic treatment, or are in a mental health crisis, you must seek professional medical care from a licensed provider. In an emergency, dial 911 or text/call 988 (in the U.S.).

2. SUBSCRIPTION & THE 21-DAY TRIAL

The Trial Period: New members may be offered a 21-day trial period to experience our community.
Automatic Transition: At the end of the 21-day trial, your account will automatically transition to a paid monthly subscription.
Billing: The credit card provided at sign-up will be charged the current monthly membership rate immediately upon the expiration of the trial unless you cancel via your account settings before the 21st day.

3. FIRM "NO REFUND" POLICY

All sales are final.

The Entry Value: Much like a session with a therapist or a physical workshop, the value of The Naked Grief begins the moment you enter our "Grief Garden" or community space. We provide immediate access to proprietary resources, digital tools, and peer support.
No Exceptions: Because access is granted instantly, we do not offer refunds for any reason—including forgotten cancellations, partial months, or "buyer’s remorse." You may cancel at any time to prevent future billing, but no prorated refunds will be issued for the current cycle.

4. R.E.A.C.H. PARTNER DISCLOSURE & DATA SHARING

If you were referred to The Naked Grief through a funeral home or corporate partner via our R.E.A.C.H. (Real Emotional Aftercare Community Help) program:

Data Sharing: You acknowledge and agree that we may share your name, email address, and enrollment status back with the referring funeral home/partner.
Purpose: This allows the partner to confirm their aftercare obligations are being met and to facilitate any physical materials (like "The Bracing 13" workbook) included in your package. We do not share the private details of your community posts or coaching sessions.

4.3 Acute Grief & Self-Care Responsibility
If you have been referred to us shortly after a loss (often through our R.E.A.C.H. partner program), you may be in an 'acute' stage of grief.

Support, Not Crisis Management: While our communities offer a 'safety net' and routing via the Grief Guage intake, we are not a crisis center. If you feel overwhelmed, unable to function, or are experiencing intense psychological distress, you must supplement our peer support with professional clinical care.
Personal Stability: You acknowledge that participating in a 'raw' grief community involves exposure to others' stories and emotional content which may be triggering. You accept full responsibility for your emotional well-being and for opting out of discussions or programs that you feel are not suitable for your current state of stability.

5. COMMUNITY STANDARDS (THE "RAW" RULES)

5.1 Protecting Your Privacy & Identity (Username Policy)
We prioritize the safety and privacy of our members.

Public Display Name: Be aware that the first portion of your email address (before the @ symbol) may be used as your default display name/username within our community platforms.
Identity Protection: To prevent unwanted contact or 'widow hunting' outside of this community, you are encouraged to choose a username or use an email address that protects your full identity if you do not wish to be searchable on social media.
Safe Space: Your public-facing display name can be private (a username/nickname) and does not need to be your full legal name. We recommend avoiding the use of your full first and last name together if you value high levels of privacy.
Verified, Authentic Account: While your display name may be private, your underlying account must be real and authentic. You agree to (i) provide a valid email address for account verification, and (ii) not create fake personas, impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your identity or relationship to others. We may request additional verification if needed to protect the community.

To keep this a safe, "no-sugarcoating" zone, you agree to:

Real Identities (Authenticity Rule): No fake personas, impersonation, or deceptive accounts. We heal better when we can trust who we are talking to—even if you use a private username for safety.
Confidentiality: "What happens here stays here." Do not screenshot or share other members' stories outside the platform.
No Platitudes: Avoid clichés. We honor the raw, messy reality of grief.
Zero Tolerance: Harassment, judgment, or solicitation of other members will result in immediate removal without a refund.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All materials—including "The Bracing 13," "Grief Garden stories, videos, and worksheets—are the proprietary intellectual property of The Naked Grief, LLC. You are granted a personal license for your own healing; you may not redistribute, sell, or record these materials.

7. THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS & SCALABILITY

As The Naked Grief scales its community services, we utilize third-party platforms (e.g., Circle.so, MemberSpace, Wix).

Platform Terms: Your use of these areas is also subject to the terms and privacy policies of these third-party providers.
No Liability for Outages: The Naked Grief is not liable for technical issues, data breaches on third-party servers, or service interruptions beyond our direct control.

BY CHECKING THE BOX AT CHECKOUT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO THESE TERMS.