The Addictions Academy launches national grief coach certification led by Jenna James

The Addictions Academy has launched a Nationally Certified Grief Coach program led by Jenna James, a recovery advocate who turned the loss of her son to fentanyl into a training mission. The certification is designed to prepare helping professionals to support grief, loss, and trauma with evidence-informed, trauma-aware coaching.

Why it matters: - Grief touches families across addiction, overdose, suicide, illness, divorce, caregiving, and other major life changes. - The new certification aims to fill a training gap for professionals who support people through loss. - The program is designed to prepare coaches and helping professionals to respond with practical, compassionate support instead of trying to “fix” grief.

What happened: - The Addictions Academy launched its Nationally Certified Grief Coach certification nationwide. - Jenna James leads the certification. - James is a recovery advocate, educator, speaker, and grief educator. - James launched the program after her son, Branden “Bam” Mazzeo, died from fentanyl poisoning in 2021. - The program is open to coaches, recovery professionals, healthcare providers, clergy, peer specialists, and other helping professionals.

The details: - The curriculum covers modern grief science, trauma-informed care, ethical coaching practices, communication skills, and practical intervention strategies. - Students learn how grief affects the brain and body. - The training includes support methods for different types of loss. - The certification addresses loss tied to addiction, overdose, suicide, chronic illness, miscarriage, divorce, caregiving, career changes, and other major life events. - Graduates are prepared to serve individuals, families, organizations, schools, treatment centers, and communities. - The program emphasizes whole-person healing across emotional, physical, cognitive, spiritual, and relational well-being. - The Addictions Academy says graduates receive evidence-based coaching techniques and practical application. - The academy’s website is www.TheAddictionsAcademy.com.

Between the lines: - The launch blends professional training with personal advocacy, which gives the certification a grief-informed credibility that comes from lived experience. - Dr. Cali Estes, founder of The Addictions Academy, said grief is one of the most overlooked areas in behavioral healthcare. - Estes said James brings lived experience, compassion, and purpose that cannot be taught from a textbook. - The rollout also reflects a broader push in behavioral health toward specialized, trauma-informed education.

What's next: - The Addictions Academy plans to continue expanding specialized education for addiction, mental health, and healthcare professionals. - The certification is intended to help more professionals meet demand for compassionate grief support in clinics, schools, treatment centers, and community settings. - James said she wants Bam’s legacy to continue through every coach trained and every family supported.

The bottom line: - The Addictions Academy is turning a personal loss into a national grief-training program aimed at improving how professionals support people through the hardest moments of life.