“From Gutted to Glorious” is a compelling book for genetic counselors seeking to add support resources around grief and loss to their toolkit. Written by Jennifer J. Hacker, a grief coach whose journey was profoundly shaped by the loss of her infant son to SIDS, the book offers insight into the grief process and actionable steps to heal when grieving. The author shares an engaging blend of raw, personal narrative, journal entries, and structured coaching advice.
Genetic counselors are trained to support families experiencing grief; this book provides a touching personal perspective about the grieving process that will foster deeper insight and empathy and also serves as a resource for hopeful, actionable steps for those actively navigating profound loss. The author sets the stage by sharing her experience of losing her son and addresses common misbeliefs about the grieving process based on her personal experience.

In one section, Hacker presents a criticism of the classic Kubler-Ross model, arguing that this model often leads to the misunderstanding that grief is a linear process, discussing how that can be problematic for those who are grieving. Her criticism, based on her own lived experience and years of deep thinking on the subject, offers a perspective that challenges genetic counselors to examine the mainstream understanding of the Kubler-Ross model and how that understanding impacts families experiencing grief. 

As an alternative, Hacker offers her own “Grief Transformation Model.” This model, developed through insights from her own personal grief journey, frames grief as a cyclical and repetitive journey with six distinct periods that the griever moves through in a nonlinear, overlapping way. It is interesting to note that Hacker’s lived experience of grief as a cyclical, nonlinear process closely aligns with our profession’s understanding of Kubler-Ross. Although genetic counselors will see the similarities between Kubler-Ross and Hacker’s model, Hacker’s discussion of the impact of the misinterpretation of the progression of the Kubler-Ross model is illuminating.

Hacker’s Grief Transformation Model both illustrates the cyclical process of grief and focuses on actionable steps through the process. In comparison to the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance that Kubler-Ross describes, which largely focus on the various emotional phases that one will move through, the Grief Transformation Model describes moving through different periods of life as one slowly transforms through their grief; the periods are described as gutted, grinding, gaining momentum, growing in hope, grateful, and glorious. The book systematically lays out each period of this model, providing readers with practical and sage insight to begin moving through their grief journey.

Hacker presents this information in an authentic voice that is moving and engaging. She draws the reader in with her personal narrative; she fearlessly shows the reader the experience of her grief with her honest and raw words. The reader can’t help but connect with her story and gain understanding, empathy, and wisdom. While she openly shares her personal experiences, she consistently acknowledges that every reader's journey is unique and leaves space for others. This book helped me think differently about how our society and medical systems can exacerbate grief through isolation and creating an unrealistic narrative about recovering from loss. Ultimately, it reminded me of the importance of continuing to remain present with those in mourning and to continue to acknowledge their loss regardless of where they are in their journey. “From Gutted to Glorious” is a valuable resource that I would recommend to both friends and patients to help them find actionable steps forward through grief. It is a recommended read for genetic counselors seeking to increase their understanding of the grieving process and how to support families experiencing grief related to genetic diagnoses or reproductive loss, as well as for all those personally experiencing grief and loss.

Mary Pritzlaff, MS, CGC (she/her)

A veteran genetic counselor with experience in the prenatal and oncology clinical settings, Pritzlaff is currently the manager of the Ambry Oncology Reporting team. She holds a BS in Genetics from Texas A&M University and a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati Genetic Counseling Program. Pritzlaff is a past NSGC Cancer SIG Secretary and RQO RI Co-Chair and has authored several peer-reviewed publications. She knows Jennifer Hacker personally.