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"Friend of the Center"
You can help us serve low- and no-income families with your tax-deductible contribution.
We keep our administrative and overhead costs to a minimum making your contribution really count in the lives of those trying to heal from traumatic loss and grief. (more)
Volunteers Needed
We are always looking for individuals or groups to help with maintenance and projects around our "charming little house on Grand."
The Center is also adding to its volunteer base through helpers with fundraising events, clerical support, marketing, and fundraising. Please contact us with ways you can help.
Tom Ellis Awarded
Distinguished Service Award
The Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has awarded Tom Ellis the Distinguished Service Award. Tom Ellis is the Executive Director of the Center for Grief, a non-profit mental health organization offering therapy, counseling and education in the areas of complicated grief, trauma and general bereavement and loss.
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Tom Ellis, therapist, executive director, trainer extraordinaire, entertainer, cantor, hair product using, J Crew shopping, hip shoe wearing, furniture rearranging, rookie pheasant hunter, stogie smoking, grand poobah of grief, we present you with this award." |
Tom, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has worked in the area of grief and loss since 1983 with special emphasis on families and trauma. The Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy presented the award at its Annual Meeting, acknowledging Tom's "dedication and contributions to the professional organization and the field of Marriage and Family Therapy through his ongoing services and dedication to families."
The Center for Grief's Board of Directors, Staff, Therapists, Volunteers and Supporters joined in appreciating all the help and hope Tom has given to our community through his important work. The Program Director at the Center for Grief, Gayle Sherman Crandell, gave this Speech to Tom on behalf of the Center for Grief's Board of Directors, Staff, Therapists and volunteers.
"Tom is a gifted therapist in the area of grief and trauma; the best I've known in my 20+ years in the field. But he always reminds us that there are no experts. Our clients are the only experts in their particular loss. Tom is genuinely curious about the human experience, asks questions with the best of them, and doesn't generalize from one client to the next. He has the highest standards for the work of the Center and yet doesn't micro manage. He knows intuitively when to be "hands on" or "hands off" and always empowers each of us to develop to our potential. He often says, "Let's try it and see what happens."
Tom has the highest of integrity. He is who he is whether counseling, training, emceeing our annual benefit, working with the media, being a Dad or having an occasional cigar after work. He is able to honor tragic stories and journey with people into the depths of their despair, while remaining full of life himself and embracing the moment. It's not uncommon to hear laughter from our staff meetings; he encourages irreverence and we always appreciate his self-deprecating humor. When our community members face tragedy, they are able to access the very best services available thanks to Tom and his tireless work at the Center for Grief.
The Center is staffed by experienced pros with specialized education and training in the most current methods.
(meet the team)
Tom Ellis, MA
Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist,
Executive Director, and Clinical Supervisor
Tom is a marriage and family therapist at the Center with a special focus on trauma. He is also a clinical supervisor, consultant, writer, trainer and critical incident de-briefer. (more)
Sarah Logan, MA
Program Director
Grief Therapist
Sarah provides therapy to individuals, families, groups and children. She has worked in school settings and with young mothers, teenagers and children. (more)
Gayle Sherman Crandell, MA, LPC
Development Director
Therapist and Trainer
Gayle Sherman Crandell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Development Director at the Center for Grief. (more)