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People also ask
What is a grief support group?
What is group Grief Counseling?
What to expect from grief support groups?
Should you check out a grief support group?
Why do people turn to grief support groups?
Should you join a grief support group?
A grief support group is a dedicated space for you to be honest about how you’re coping. You don’t need to worry about putting on a brave face or feeling judged. You can be angry, upset, happy, or not know how you feel.
- Overwhelming
- Discouraging
- Therapeutic Expectations
- Incorrect Information/Bad Advice
- Judgment
- People
- Culture
- Potential Positives
- Instillation of Hope
- Universality
It can be helpful to be in the presence of someone else's emotions, but sometimes it can be too much. When you're feeling vulnerable yourself, you might not be in a good place to experience another person's anger, sadness, regret, guilt, etc. Keep an eye on how you're feeling in response to others; maybe you'll find it's too soon for you or maybe y...
It is common for people to attend support groups looking for guidance, hope, and reassurance. Those early on in their grief especially may be looking for evidence that things get easier. Attending a group with this expectation may lead to feelings of hopelessness when others in the group, especially those further along in their grief, are still exp...
It's important to remember that support groups are not the same as therapy. Although group leaders are sometimes mental health professionals, often they are not. If you're looking for a more formal therapeutic approach, you may want to consider talking to a mental health professional.
If it happens at the grocery store, why wouldn't it happen in a group where everyoneis grieving? Although you'll see there is a benefit in the wisdom of others, there can also be a lot of bad information about what is normal, what to expect, and how to cope. Alcoholics Anonymous has a good solution to this problem, in that they emphasize their coll...
I think most people attend support groups with the expectation that it will be a safe, judgment-free zone. In reality, even amongst people with similar types of losses, there can be a lot of negativity, insensitivity, judgment, and comparing. Negative comments and judgments can be especially damaging when there isn't a strong leader to make sure th...
This sounds really harsh, but sometimes all it takes is one person to derail an entire group. The monopolizer, the know-it-all, the interrupter, the inconsiderate, and the excessively negative person can easily reduce a groups chances of ever being seen as a safe, open, non-judgmental, supportive and constructive environment. Unfortunately, all I h...
Lastly, it does happen from time to time that a support group takes on a certain identity or chooses to identify with certain beliefs. New members may feel subtle pressure to identify with ways of thinking such as, "ours is the worst kind of loss", "life will never be normal", or"no one else understands." Although there is a benefit in having a gro...
Alright, now that that's out of the way let's talk about the positives related to grief support groups. As with my discussion of potential pitfalls, it's impossible for me to present an exhaustive list of all the reasons why support groups can help. As we've noted, support groups are all so unique and different and so are the people in them. For th...
In a support group, people in the acute phase of grief have contact with those who are much further along in their healing. In fact, groups are often led by people who have been through a loss themselves. Group members who are doing well and finding new ways to heal can provide hope to those who are new to grief and show that it's possible to feel ...
One of the best things about attending a grief support group is the reminder that you are not alone. Grief can feel very lonely and isolating, especially when no one else around you seems to be grieving. Although no two people experience grief in the exact same way, by attending a support group you may find that other people have experiences, feeli...
Grief support groups are organized gatherings of individuals who have experienced a similar type of loss. They are typically facilitated by a trained professional, such as a counselor or therapist, and provide a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and feelings.
Apr 27, 2024 · A grief support group is to help someone who is grieving. True. But there are many different kinds of grief groups, such as for death, divorce, suicide, children/teens, death of a pet,...
Nov 9, 2023 · Group grief counseling connects you with others who are grieving the loss of a loved one. A grief support group might reduce the mental and physical effects of grief.
- Claire Gillespie
Most people experience grief when they lose something or someone important to them. If these feelings are affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help. Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with stress, anxiety or depression.
A grief or bereavement support group can help. These groups provide a safe space to talk about how you feel, within a support system that connects you to others who have experienced loss and can provide emotional support, validation and education about grief.
