Tapestry of Healing Bereavement Services

 Certified Grief Counselor                   

FAQs

What is a group session and how is it conducted? 

A group session consists of members sharing their grief story.  It is important to tell and retell your story to heal.  It is conducted weekly.

How many people are in a group?

The ideal group has 6-8 participants but can be very effective with as few as 3 people and a maximum of 10.

How often does a typical group meet?

Depending on the subject and the needs of the individuals a group can meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. The most effective groups meet weekly.

What subjects can be covered in a group?

There are no specific subjects that are better suited to a group. The services offered address grief and loss both pro-actively and after the fact. Group subjects and participation are based on the need of the individual.

How do I decide whether I need a group or individual session?

One of the main reasons for the Individual Assessment is to determine a treatment plan. I will work with you to decide on a course that is the best for you. The final choice is yours. You have already taken the first step by deciding to face your problem.

I heard that failure to deal with grief can cause physical and mental health problems for survivors, can you be more specific?

Failure to deal with grief can lead to depression, anxiety disorder, social phobia and Post-traumatic stress disorder.  Potential problems are difficultly sleeping, loss of appetite, and a compromised immune system.

Why are my friends pulling away from me since my loss?

It is not uncommon for friends to pull away.  Often times, it is difficult for people to respond to a person with a loss.  Frankly, people do not know what to say.

Is guilt a common emotion?

Yes, guilt is an emotion indicative of the anger stage of grief. Guilt feelings are very prevalent and part of the anger stage of grief.  Sometimes, people suffer for “survivor’s guilt.”  Survivor’s guilt is manifested from being left behind.

What are the stages of grief?

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are the accepted stages of grief.  However, they are not necessarily in this order.  Some can move directly from denial to acceptance. There is no way to predict an individual’s reaction.

What are some normal grief reactions?

Preoccupation, guilt, anger, restlessness, panic, short attention span, mood changes, indecisiveness, need to remember our loved one, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping.

There are several community organizations that offer counseling at no cost, what is the advantage of private counseling?

Many people have been helped by groups that are open to the public. However, not all group sessions are lead by professionally trained counselors and many in fact are lead by untrained volunteers or by the participants themselves.

Does health insurance cover the sessions?