VIENNA, Va., June 14, 2010 – When those around us face tough times, we’re often at a loss for words. We may fear we’ll say the wrong thing and stay away or, we may hurt someone unintentionally by saying or doing something inappropriate. Loss is very isolating and when we stay away, we may compound the loss. Everyone needs support if they are to fully grieve and recover.

But what do you do when you’re truly at a loss for words?

Robbie Miller Kaplan, a contributing author for Open to Hope, provides the tools you’ll need in How to Say It When You Don’t Know What to Say: The Right Words for Difficult Times.

Her publications, now available in volumes on Illness & Death, Suicide, and Miscarriage, and e-books on Death of a Child, Death of a Stillborn or Newborn Baby, and Pet Loss show insight into the process of grief and detail specific things to say and do, sample sympathy letters, and words of wisdom to reach out to those dealing with these difficult issues.

“When speaking with someone going through a difficult experience,” Kaplan suggests, “communications need not be elaborate to make a difference.”

Robbie Miller Kaplan is an internationally recognized writer and speaker with an expertise in communications. Her blog and website are http://wordsthatcomfort.com.

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Robbie Kaplan

Robbie Miller Kaplan is a writer and trainer with an expertise in communications. She is the author of nine books, including How to Say It® When You Don't Know What to Say and How to Say It® In Your Job Search. In 1981, Robbie gave birth to two children; a son Aaron in January and a daughter Amy in December. Both babies died in infancy from the same congenital heart defect. It is her experiences with loss as well as a passion to make a difference with others grieving a loss that motivated her to write How to Say It® When You Don't Know What to Say. Her goal is to help readers communicate effectively when those they care about face difficult times. It is now available in individual volumes for Illness & Death, Suicide, and Miscarriage. Ms. Kaplan is a frequent guest with media outlets ranging from the CBS Early Show to the Washington Post. She has been quoted and recommended by syndicated columnists Amy Dickinson in her ASK AMY column and Joyce Lain Kennedy in her CAREERS NOW column. Her advice and books have appeared in national and regional publications, including: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Detroit Free Press, New Jersey Star Ledger, Dallas Morning News, Charlotte Observer, The State, The Indianapolis Star, LA Times, New York Daily News and web sites such as jobsinthemoney.com, abcNEWS.com, efinancialcareers.com, AuditNet.org, and USATodayCareers.com. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from George Mason University and is MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and Strong (Strong Interest Inventory) qualified. She has a management background with Xerox Corporation and Marriott International. Ms. Kaplan writes a monthly column for AuditNet.org and wrote an "Ask the Expert" column for jobsinthemoney.com and efinancialcareers.com. She is a contributing author to the Strong Interest Inventory Applications and Technical Guide and has been published in PM Network, Careerjournal.com, washingtonpost.com, the magazine, Woman's Day, Writer's Digest, The Executive Female, Internal Auditing Alert, Science and Engineering Horizons, and The Woman Engineer. Ms. Kaplan is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. To Listen to Robbie's Radio show

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