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Jan Mitchell is a grief coach, author, speaker, caregiver, and mom who juggles life with a smile. Mitchell, who lives in Lawrence, is a proud parent to three daughters, two affectionate “grand” cats, Asher & Blu, and a “grand” dog named Sunflower.
Her journey into grief began in 2017, following the loss of her spouse when she was just a “young” 38. She found that while there are many excellent resources for grief support, few catered to those in her shoes—young, actively raising children, and juggling a full-time job. Most support groups met at lunchtime which is prime time for active, working parents.
So, she took the leap and founded She Moves Forward, Inc. which provides grief wellness support in non-traditional, creative ways. Ever heard of “scream & throw paint” therapy? It’s as liberating as it sounds! She Moves Forward. also specializes in laugh-and-cry therapy for groups and individuals, plus personalized grief coaching sessions to help people “heal forward” from their loss.
And it’s not just about bereavement loss. She Moves Forward understands grief comes in many forms—be it from divorce, breakups, separation, losing a pet, and all the other ways grief shows up uninvited.
“If you’re looking for a place that gets you, where you can scream, laugh, cry, and heal in your own unique way, I’m your person,” Mitchell says. “Let’s navigate this journey together and find that light at the end of the tunnel. And remember, it’s okay to not have all the answers —sometimes, the best therapy is a good old paint-splattered scream!”
My Maven Superpower is …
A blend of kindness and laughter. I find immense joy and healing in both.
Best book I’ve read lately is …
“The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel.
Self-care habit I swear by …
Dreamy slumbers and “me-cations”—solo adventures to rest and reset!
My first job was …
As a secretary for my Dad’s former construction company.
The best career advice I can offer is …
“Embrace and value small beginnings.” Utilize quieter periods as opportunities to refine your skills and deepen your knowledge in your field. Aim to become a true expert in your area of work.
A purchase I’ve been loving lately is …
My first pair of Christian Louboutins—scaling up two sizes for the perfect fit—because, contrary to popular belief, beauty isn’t pain. Beauty is healthy and painless baby toes..lol). And let’s not forget my signature accessory—the ever-stylish Zeelool eyewear!
I feel most confident when …
I’m standing in front of an audience, ready to speak.
My favorite local restaurant dish is …
Shrimp and grits at Oceanaire.
The thing I’ve been binging lately is …
Family time!
A fun fact about me is …
I am a fraternal twin. I am a percussionist, and I love to network.
The skill I most want to learn is …
Craniosacral therapy and playing the bass and lead guitars.
A Maven you should know is … *
Lynice and Britteny Weathers from A Breath of Life—CPR instruction company.
My favorite nonprofit to support is …
What have you achieved recently that you’d like to celebrate with our community?
I recently graduated from the Indiana Black Expo Business Training Institute Cohort and have been blessed with numerous opportunities to collaborate with organizations like CICOA AGING and In-Home Solutions, Indiana Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research Center, and New Covenant Church Indy. Together, we’ve been building caregiver support teams and providing education on caregiver Grief.
Alongside my best friend Brandy Doss, a licensed mental health clinician and holistic coach, we successfully launched our first major event under our Christian internet talk show, “Well, Hades!!”. This event offered unique, non-medicinal therapeutic activities for the grief community to navigate the holiday season, including “scream and throw paint” and dance therapy sessions. The event was not only a blast but also well-received with a great turnout!
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