The primary purpose of the LIFE AFTER LOSS support group is to provide a confidential, safe, and supportive space, for people processing a loss, to share their story. There is healing to be found in sharing. Sharing provides a way to honor the loss as well as the myriad feelings around that loss. It is important for a grieving person to tell their story as they navigate their way through their loss, pain, and trauma.
Redefining a person’s ‘new normal’ happens only after the integration of the experience begins. There is often a feeling of aloneness after loss. As the world around them moves forward, a grieving person often feels that they are out of sync, and the bereft feeling is heightened when they don’t have someone around them who empathizes with their experience. This group will provide them a place to share their story as often as needed, recognize that they aren’t alone, have their feelings validated, and allow them to begin the process of redefining what their life will become.
Team members are encouraged to share their expertise in the ‘learning’ portion at the start of the 1-hour session. (5-15 minutes). Strategies for coping, growing, and supporting the bereaved client, are necessary to begin to help the clients move forward. The remainder of the session will be for sharing, and facilitated with curious questioning, when needed. Referrals to other team members will be made whenever appropriate. All clients attending will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement to support a safe sharing space as well as to ensure that no one’s details will be available for any other discussions. Donations will be encouraged, but no one will be turned away if they cannot pay to attend.
