Grief Processing Group

Service Description

Grief Processing Group Objective: To educate and assist participants in expressing their grief as well as bonding and growing with other participants. Get a better understanding of authentic living and cultivating hope as they move to incorporating their loss in their life. Session 1 The “Mess” of Grief -Introductions, sharing of the loss and differentiating grief vs bereavement -Grief Cycle-education about the “stages” and how messy they are and out of order (activity of “the tangled ball of emotions”) -Secondary losses “The Ripple Effect” -15 min TedTalk shown from Nora McInerny (We don’t “move on” from grief. We move forward.) Open discussion until the close of session. Session 2 Your Grief is Unique -Types of Grief (complicated, chronic, delayed, etc) -Grief Symptoms-physical and emotional manifestation and how to manage with self care -Examining your relationship with grief and expression (culturally, familial, etc) -Examining your relationship with the deceased (“Pieces of the Bye” activity) Session 3 The Concept of Hope -What does it mean to have it? -Partner activity; the connection between hope and grieving -Group activity: why we have hope, ways to bring more hope into our lives -What I hope for you (group members will share what their hopes are for one another) Session 4 Growing Around Your Grief -Opening activity: Sketch or write about how you expected your grief to progress with how it is actually unfolding for you. Discussion to follow. -The year of “firsts” and why this feels the most painful in our journey -Self affirmation and compassion tips -The Subject of Forgiveness -Honoring our loss and the deceased (rituals, observances, etc) Participants may bring a photo, memento, song, etc to share with the group. If time permits, a brief activity of creating a beaded bracelet of remembrance in honor of their loved one that they can take home. Feedback forms provided for participants at the end of the group cycle.