About Author
Dr. Alan D. Harris
For the past twenty years, Dr. Alan Harris has served as a healthcare chaplain in hospitals, hospices, and long-term care. An Associate of the Order of the Holy Cross (Episcopal), he holds a certificate in spiritual companionship. He has earned master’s degrees in counseling and business, and a doctorate in theology.
Dr. Harris is also certified as a grief specialist who has conducted hundreds of funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life. Not once has he ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer at a funeral or a graveside service. In addition, Dr. Harris writes of what he knows personally, as he has managed his parents’ and siblings’ possessions after their deaths, and has since benefitted from doing his own pre-death cleaning.
Degrees & Certifications
- D.Th. in Theology from Capstone University
- M.B.A. in Management & Leadership from Rockhurst University
- M.Ed., in Counseling & Personnel Services from the University of Missouri-Columbia
- Board Certified as a Clinical Chaplain with the Center for Spiritual Care Association
- Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Souljourners Program
- Certified Grief Recovery Specialist with the Grief Recovery Institute
- Certificate in Mediation from the Center for Conflict Resolution
- Board Certified Life Coach; member, Spiritual Directors International
300+
Over 300 Grief Recovery Method sessions facilitated.
2,000+
Bereaved caregivers counseled on a One on One and group format post-loss through the grieving process.
400+
One on One end-of-life planning conversations held with patients and caregivers.