Born and raised in New York, Ellen grew up wanting her classmates to share in her joy of reading. At a young age, she decided to train to become an English teacher and attempt to instill in her students a love for the written word.

Of course, master plans such as hers are oftentimes altered as life proceeds, and one calling lost is another found. Although she did receive a degree in English Secondary Education, she decided to use her teaching and writing skills in a less formal atmosphere than originally planned. However, Ellen remains a teacher in her every endeavor.

Quite a researcher and still a library lover, every time Ellen encountered questions or issues, she would head to the stacks. What she found was that she was able to digest enormous amounts of information and succinctly write a short essay on a topic and come to a well thought out conclusion. She became the "go-to" person for her friends, for they all knew that she investigated all issues thoroughly before deciding on how to proceed.

When Ellen became a young widow at the age of 39, this investigative trait and her love of writing served her well. 

To move through her grief, she often jotted down her feelings. Additionally, having been married at the age of twenty, there were lots of things she had never done by herself about which she needed to learn. Thus,  A Practical Guide to Widow/erhood was born. The book is a combination of the practical and the inspirational journey of grief.

After working on her grief for many years, which included training as a Certified  Grief Recovery Specialist, she decided it was time to start living again. She started to date via the Internet. Having met her first husband when she was fifteen, dating was a unique and new experience for her. Surprisingly, what she found was that most everyone was in the same boat as she -- they didn't have a clue either!  A good many were also doubly handicapped by also not understanding what it took to forge a healthy and long lasting relationship. So, of course, she felt obligated to write a "how-to" book: Surfing For Love In All The Right Ways. Matter of fact, she would give it to prospective dates as a primer on herself! Ellen did find her happy ending, and you can read about it in an excerpt from Surfing For Love.

Ellen continues to write, focusing on events in her life that move her deeply  and putting words to her heartfelt emotions. Currently, she is again in collaboration with Melinda Vail, as they work on looking at suicide from a unique vantage point, as well as working on a book on custody arrangements in a divorce from the viewpoint of a child and an informational booklet on options for pregnant teens.

A Practical Guide to Widow/erhood

"Having been a psychiatrist for over twenty years, I have had numerous occasions to work with people who have experienced the death of a loved one. I have seen people try to work through their grief in many different ways. I am particularly impressed by the method Ellen Gerst chose in her book, A Practical Guide to Widow/ erhood. She has written a straightforward and straight-shooting compendium of knowledge that validates and educates about every part of the grief process. When someone dies most of us are totally unprepared to face things such as the funeral service or how to explain to children what has happened. If one is widowed, the whole prospect of reestablishing norms in the family and dating become an issue. There are so many changes including how to deal with money, writing a will, dealing with holidays, perhaps buying a home. Ms. Gerst deals with all of these issues and more. She even includes a discussion on safe sex. Despite years in the counseling field, I feel that I gained some terrific ideas from reading her book, and I highly recommend it as a "Bible" to guide a new widow or widower through the process of their grief to not only survive their loss, but thrive in their life. Her book is a treasure."

      --Judith C. Engleman, M.D., Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; National "Top Doc"

"As a marriage and family therapist and relationship coach, I frequently encounter men and women who have experienced the loss of a spouse or a cherished loved one in the breakup of a long term relationship. The thought of dating or connecting with someone new is often frightening and overwhelming. By generously sharing her journey, Ellen Gerst provides helpful advice, words of wisdom and practical tips on re-entry into the dating world. Surfing For Love In All the Right Ways is insightful and full of encouragement. Ellen's experiences, perspective and clarity offer her readers heartfelt and supportive guidance through one of life's most difficult transitions."

        --Vicki Carpel Miller, BSN, MS, CMFT, Marriage and Family Therapist and Relationship Coach