Healing Strides
Healing Strides combines walk/run-based therapy with a therapeutic grief group focusing on grief, resiliency, mindfulness, and healthy coping skills.
At-a-glance chips
For
Women experiencing the death of someone significant
Fitness
Beginner-friendly (walk / run-walk / run)
Fitness
(clean, consistent cohort details)
Cost
$55/session + race registration
Research of Healing Strides
Participants demonstrated:
Increased coping skills and help-seeking behaviors
Increased personal growth and meaning reconstruction
Stronger continuing bonds with the person who died
Improved social support and connection
Decreased grief-related impairment in daily life
These improvements were sustained at a three-month follow-up, suggesting lasting impact beyond the program itself.
Why it works
Mechanism (why this combo helps)
Guided grief processing (licensed clinician, group support)
Movement + nature (regulates stress, creates routine, builds resilience — say it plainly)
Goal completion (5K = tangible “I can do hard things again”)
Mentor/community scaffolding (you’re not doing this solo)
Proof (don’t overclaim)
Add 2–4 measured outcomes if they exist (best)
If numbers aren’t ready, use participant-reported outcomes + 1–2 short quotes (still proof, just labeled honestly)
Add one credibility line: “Program evaluation is being prepared for publication in 2026.” (or “submitted” if true)
Rationale:
What to Expect
Each week participants will spend 1 hour in a grief group
facilitated by Kelly Daugherty, LCSW-R, FT and the second hour will be spent training for a 5k race facilitated by Lisa Millis, MA, CHC, CRC. A 5k Race will be completed by all participants at the end of the 7-week program. This program is open to women of all fitness levels.
The training program is a beginning training program to help you be able to run, run/walk or run the 5k goal race.
When:
Every Monday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm beginning April 13, 2026
About:
Must attend the 1st session and attend 5 out of the 7 Sessions
Must be available and willing to participate in the 5k Race at the end of the Program
Who:
Women who have experienced the death of someone significant in their life.
Where:
100 Saratoga Village Blvd, Suite 21, Malta, NY
Why join Healing Strides?
Proven Benefits
Past participants have reported an increase in healthy coping skills, feeling less isolated in their grief, and the powerful impact of setting and achieving a tangible goal.
Goal Setting & Achievement
There’s something incredibly powerful about setting a goal for yourself and witnessing its fruition on race day.
Mentor Support
Our team of dedicated volunteer mentors will be by your side—during group sessions, throughout the training, and cheering you on during the race.
Private Facebook Group
Share your journey, seek support, and stay connected with members in a safe, online community.
Expert Support
The grief group is led by Kelly Daugherty, an expert in grief counseling with over 20 years of experience. The training component is led by Lisa Millis, a proven running coach with years of experience helping people complete their first 5k.
Healing Strides is not just a program—it's a community.
To Register or for More Information, Contact Kelly Daugherty at 518-219-8625 or kelly@healingstrides.org
About the Event
The goal Race is Saturday, May 30, 2026
$55 per session
Race Registration is $25
Healing Strides T-Shirt is Included
About Our Healing Strides Facilitators
Kelly Daugherty, LCSW-R, FT
Grief Group Facilitator- Certified Grief Counselor
Lisa Millis, MA, CHC, CRC
Run/Walk Coach
Lisa Millis
ABOUT OUR RUN/WALK COACH
Lisa Millis, M.A. in Psychology Counseling, is a Certified Health Coach and Wellness Counselor with American Council on Exercise and a Certified Running Coach. Her grief work spans 25 years and includes Hospice Bereavement & Spiritual Care Coordination, as well as Cindy’s Comfort Camp and Cindy’s Retreat with C.R. Wood Cancer Center through Glens Falls Hospital.
Lisa has always had a personal interest in fitness and health
but credits the “father” of run therapy, Dr. Thaddeus Kostrubala, for helping her find her passion in walk-run-based therapy. Coaching hundreds of individuals for their first 5k, 10k, half & full marathons, she created a private practice to merge moving in nature with healing the mind & body. Lisa understands firsthand that grief can be a difficult road to navigate, but she believes Healing Strides is the perfect balance of education and wellness to help people create a safe, supportive path forward. She provides support across a wide range of platforms and works full-time as a crisis clinician with Northern Rivers. She continues adding to her resume with Mindfulness of Mortality and End of Life Planning Certification.
She can be seen daily trail running with her dogs or negotiating the parent pick-up line for her twin boys.
We are beyond grateful for our dedicated group of mentors!
Our fantastic team including our volunteer mentors will be with you through the whole program and during the goal race to support, encourage and motivate you.
Check out Another Mother Podcast which featured co-founders of Healing Strides, Kelly Daugherty and Lisa Millis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Healing Strides
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Yes, this group welcomes participants of all fitness levels. Some participants choose to walk, while others walk and run or solely run. A mentor will be available to support you throughout your training.
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This group costs $55 per session- Insurance is not accepted for this group.
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You must attend the grief group support session and the training portion to participate in this group.
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Attending the goal race is an essential part of the group, and achieving this goal is seen as a significant part of your grief journey.
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Healing Strides is facilitated by two qualified professionals and a group of volunteer mentors to help support you throughout the group and are available outside the group for additional support. A private Facebook group is also utilized to help provide additional support and allow for opportunities of connection between the participants.