Have you experienced a loss in your life and feel that you are struggling to surround yourself with others who understand your pain and your journey? Group counseling can be a powerful microcosm in which one is able to connect, relate, and process with others who are able to meet them where they are in their healing journey. Grief is a challenging process and one that many try to navigate on their own, but it can be powerfully healing when done in a safe and nurturing community. Everyone’s grief journey is different and it is important to remember that grief is nonlinear and can ebb and flow (Bruce, 2002).
The Importance of Grief Counseling
At Heritage Counseling, we understand that grief is a deeply personal and unique experience. Our upcoming Group Grief Counseling sessions are designed to offer a supportive environment where individuals can come together to share their experiences, process their emotions, and find solace in the company of others who are navigating similar journeys. Group therapy provides a sense of community and understanding that can be incredibly therapeutic for those dealing with loss (Cortez, 2020). Individuals will receive guidance and psychoeducation on the stages of grief as well as how it may impact their relationship with themselves and those around them.
Who Can Join?
Our Group Grief Counseling is open to clients currently attending therapeutic services at Heritage Counseling as well as those who may be seeking individual counseling services outside of Heritage Counseling. This inclusivity ensures that anyone in need of support can benefit from our group sessions. Whether you are already part of our community or looking to join, you are welcome to participate. We want to encourage a community that fosters support and connectivity as we conduct our groups, inviting all who feel safe to join.
About the Group Sessions
The grief groups will be led by Emma Hawkins, M.A., LPC. Emma brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her role, providing a safe space for participants to explore their grief and begin the healing process. Emma has an extensive clinical background focusing on grief and understands the journey firsthand. Emma has worked at an inpatient facility as well as a domestic violence and abuse shelter walking with individuals who have experienced immense grief, guiding them to a place of peace where they had been told in the past to grieve and move on. Emma comes from a CBT and a person-focused perspective where she places each of her clients first, analyzing the needs of each individual, in order to provide them with the best personalized care. Emma clinically focuses on grief, anxiety, and self-image and has been seen by all as a safe and comforting individual to walk the journey of grief alongside. Emma has experience leading groups as she presents as a collaborative group leader, allowing the clients to share space as she guides discussions, and conversations and maintains a comforting and open environment.
Session Details:
Adult Grief Group: Tuesday evenings
Adolescent Grief Group: Thursday evenings
Duration: 6 weeks, followed by a 2-week break, then resuming for another 6 weeks
Group Size: 4-14 individuals
Focus Areas of the Group
The group sessions will cover various aspects of the grieving process, offering psychoeducation and opportunities for personal reflection and shared experiences. Each week allows the group members to process, observe, and connect their pain with the pain of others in the group. Here’s a breakdown of the curriculum:
Week 1: Feelings and Emotions (Introduction to Group)
Introduction to the group and establishing a safe environment for sharing.
Exploring the range of emotions associated with grief.
Week 2: Loss
Discussing the impact of loss and the different forms it can take.
Sharing personal experiences and recognizing the universality of grief.
Week 3: Living with Grief
Understanding how to integrate grief into daily life.
Learning coping mechanisms and strategies to manage ongoing grief.
Week 4: Ways to Remember
Finding meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones.
Encouraging creative expression as a form of remembrance.
Week 5: Grief Changes
Recognizing that grief evolves over time.
Discussing the concept of post-traumatic growth and finding new meaning.
Week 6: Celebrate Life and Growth (Possible Termination of Group)
Reflecting on the progress made during the group sessions.
Celebrating personal growth and setting intentions for the future.
Why Join a Grief Group?
Joining a grief group can be a transformative experience. Groups as a whole can be extensively healing as they provide one with the opportunity to see others' viewpoints through a new lens from a safe environment. Groups allow members to feel seen and heard in a space where others recognize and are able to resonate with one’s journey. Grief groups can be a special place to see that one does not need to walk alone. Here are some of the benefits:
Shared Understanding: Connect with others who truly understand what you are going through. Being surrounded by individuals who see your pain and instead of feeling that people will show you sympathy, you will be shown understanding as you walk through your grief journey.
Emotional Support: Gain support from peers and a professional facilitator. Emotions can be high as one is experiencing grief and it is important for individuals to have a safe person or people to help walk them through their emotions. To do so in a therapeutic setting as well as a group setting allows one to feel safe and allows for guidance as feelings may arise that are seen as foreign or terrifying (Näppä et al., 2016).
Coping Strategies: One will learn effective ways to cope with grief and integrate it into your life. Individuals can hear opinions left and right and it can be challenging to listen to those opinions who may not have experienced grief
Healing Environment: Experience a safe, non-judgmental space to express your feelings.
Get Involved
If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, consider joining our Group Grief Counseling sessions at Heritage Counseling. It’s an opportunity to find support, understanding, and healing in a community setting. To get more information or to sign up, please call 214-363-2345.
At Heritage Counseling, we are dedicated to helping you navigate your grief journey and find a path towards healing. Don’t face your grief alone—join our supportive community and begin the process of healing together.
Sources:
Bruce, C. (2002). The grief process for patient, family, and physician. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 102(s9), 28-28. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2002.20013
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2002.20013/html
Cortez, Omar I., "Importance of Grief and Loss Support" (2020). Capstone Projects and Master's Theses. 790. https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/caps_thes_all/790
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1814&context=caps_thes_all
Näppä et al., 2016. The effect of bereavement groups on grief, anxiety, and depression, a controlled prospective intervention study. BMC Palliative Care (2016) 15:58 DOI 10.1186/s12904-016-0129-0. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12904-016-0129-0.pdf
