Hi, I'm Janice Lodato.
I'm a grief coach, Reiki master, and the heart behind The Grief Gardener. I walk with people in the tender seasons of loss and transition, offering gentle support, creative practices, and grounded presence.
Work With Me
Why grief work chose me
I came to grief work not through a single dramatic moment, but through a lifetime of noticing how loss rearranges us, how love continues after someone is gone, and how often the people around us simply don't know what to say.
Before I became The Grief Gardener, I spent years learning how to hold space: as a certified creative grief support practitioner, a Reiki master teacher, and a fellow human who has walked through her own seasons of letting go.
My work is not about fixing you or hurrying you toward closure. It's about giving you permission to grieve in your own way, in your own time, with someone steady beside you.
Certifications & training
- Certified Creative Grief Support Practitioner
- Reiki Master & Teacher
- Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher (CYT-200)
Reflections from those I've walked with.
“Janice Lodato is a conscientious Reiki teacher who leads by example. Her respectful approach honors tradition and affirms the highest good of each individual. I enjoy her quiet, humble spirit and gentle style.”
“Doing Reiki on myself each morning has helped me get through an extremely stressful time at work and seems to contribute positively to my well-being, including relationships with family members and co-workers.”
“Janice was very well informed, interesting, and exuded a sense of kindness that draws the student into active participation. The course was very enriching and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet her.”
“Janice Lodato made a presentation and demonstration of the possible uses of Reiki in terms of sports performance. My players were eager to try it on their own as a means to concentrate and focus more productively.”
My approach
I believe grief is a natural, creative response to love. It deserves space, ritual, and witness, not a timeline. Whether we meet in a private coaching session, a grief support circle, or a Reiki session, my role is to walk beside you with curiosity, warmth, and no judgment.
Gentle
No pushing, no forcing. We move at the pace your nervous system can hold.
Creative
Writing, ritual, movement, and nature-based practices to express what words cannot.
Grounded
Practical tools and steady presence for the days when grief feels too big to carry alone.
Curious about working together? I'd love to hear from you.
Book a free compatibility call. We'll explore what you need and whether my support is the right fit.
Book a Free Compatibility Call