Grief Counseling

[WEDWDW]

Have you ever used Grief Counseling for the passing of a loved one?

If so did you find it helpful?

 

[bettertheangel]

So I have been going to therapy since 2011. When my husband passed in 2020, I found that while my therapist was helpful, I needed something more. I attended group therapy that had a focus on grief and it was helpful to be around those who could understand my loss.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Id highly recommend Grief Share

 

[Kitty 34]

No I haven't but if you're in need for one, OP I certainly hope it's helpful.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Not sure if this is for you or someone you care about but if it is for you, my condolences.

My cousin passed at an early age from Pancreatic Cancer and his widow wasn't comfortable with one on one therapy but she did take great comfort from her Church based grief support group. Turns out many group meetings like this are group therapy and it helps people a lot even if they just show up and listen, its ok if a person doesn't share, there is benefit in listening as well. From what I saw the group helped her a lot as she moved through grief.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Have you ever used Grief Counseling for the passing of a loved one?

If do did you find it helpful?

I have not personally, but I know a couple of people who have, and they did find it helpful.

 

[Snowysmom]

I did grief therapy after my DH passed and it helped me. What really helped was going to a local grief group which was small but had a great grief counselor as the facilitator. She had several years experience at Hospices. I ended up talking with her several times one on one and it was amazing. She really helped me get through some issues that were keeping me stuck. Both worked for me.

 

[mommasita]

Have you ever used Grief Counseling for the passing of a loved one?

If do did you find it helpful?

I did try, but to be fair I should have tried harder, but just didn’t have it in me.
Sending you love

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Sending you prayers and a hug.

 

[kanne323]

I did try, but to be fair I should have tried harder, but just didn’t have it in me.
Sending you love

As a grief counselor, I'd like to gently say that there's no should or should not in grief counseling. It's helpful for some people, and not helpful for others, and can be overwhelming and too much when you're in acute grief. It sounds like it wasn't right for you at that time. Grief is chaotic and messy and really takes a toll on executive functioning skills and motivation, so participating in grief counseling/how hard one tries is something one doesn't often have all that much control over.

For the OP, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have from my side of things, though I do think other people's experiences are more of what you're looking for. There's nothing wrong with trying and it should always come without a required commitment- you can't fail grief counseling, so it's totally okay to try a session and then decide if it's a good fit or not. I would highly recommend checking local non-profit hospice organizations to see if they offer grief counseling or know of people who do, and just be aware that grief counseling is generally not typical therapy, as we do not diagnose or treat a condition, as grief is not pathological. Grief counseling should involve a safe, confidential space to process the loss, your grief, and everything that goes along with it, as well as psychoeducation and a whole lot of validation, and working on building coping mechanisms.

 

[ronandannette]

Id highly recommend Grief Share

I’ve been a Grief Share facilitator and supporter for a long time. It is a quality program that has the benefit of being easily accessible to most and free of charge (or very low cost).

Not sure if this is for you or someone you care about but if it is for you, my condolences.

My cousin passed at an early age from Pancreatic Cancer and his widow wasn't comfortable with one on one therapy but she did take great comfort from her Church based grief support group. Turns out many group meetings like this are group therapy and it helps people a lot even if they just show up and listen, its ok if a person doesn't share, there is benefit in listening as well. From what I saw the group helped her a lot as she moved through grief.

Yes, just so - what each person needs is a little different and there is no “failing” at the experience.

@kanne323 - I love what you said about grief not being pathological, or a disorder of any kind.

 

[lanejudy]

Grief is a strange thing -- some people deal with it ok, some deal with it OK for one situation but not another, others get kind of "stuck" and need some help getting through all the emotions. It's OK to ask for help.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Yes and yes. Sending love.

 

[sarahann77]

My family and I did go in the past. My dad went immediately but mom and I both didn't feel it was right at the time. After a year we then went back and my dad stopped going. We did find it helpful. Our facilitator was great. We didn't always shared and have a huge habit of hiding ourselves so we appeared happy when there were still points we were a mess. We went for a while and after maybe 6 months they decided we didn't need it anymore.
So finding out about the groups - ask how long are they expected folks to come or if they are stopping others coming to keep the group small etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I’ve been a Grief Share facilitator and supporter for a long time. It is a quality program that has the benefit of being easily accessible to most and free of charge (or very low cost).

Yes, just so - what each person needs is a little different and there is no “failing” at the experience.

@kanne323 - I love what you said about grief not being pathological, or a disorder of any kind.

Can you please explain what "Grief Share" is? This is the first time I've ever heard of it and would like to know more.

 

[kanne323]

Can you please explain what "Grief Share" is? This is the first time I've ever heard of it and would like to know more.

Grief Share is a faith-based (Christian) grief support group model that uses a set curriculum. It's often hosted by churches and can be found in many, many communities. Each particular group can set a cost, so some are free while others do cost money (usually for the materials, and it's usually fairly low.) I've had people who love Grief Share and others who really did not find it helpful. It's very dependent on each individual- if they are helped by the faith-based model, if they like the curriculum, etc., as well as on the volunteer facilitators. If you go on their website, you can search by location and find where it's offered near you. I can find probably 10-15 groups at any given time in my wider area (my area of my state and the state next door.)

 

[Simba's Mom]

Grief Share is a faith-based (Christian) grief support group model that uses a set curriculum. It's often hosted by churches and can be found in many, many communities. Each particular group can set a cost, so some are free while others do cost money (usually for the materials, and it's usually fairly low.) I've had people who love Grief Share and others who really did not find it helpful. It's very dependent on each individual- if they are helped by the faith-based model, if they like the curriculum, etc., as well as on the volunteer facilitators. If you go on their website, you can search by location and find where it's offered near you. I can find probably 10-15 groups at any given time in my wider area (my area of my state and the state next door.)

Thank you. I went to their website, and yes, it IS available at several churches around here, as well as many on-line. Some charge a fee (no more than $25 for the course), while some are free.