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You are here :     Programs/Services   »   Center for Grief and Loss Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Childrens Services

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A support and counseling program for grieving children and their adult caregivers
 
NEW LOCATION!
Support Groups NOW being offered at our Brentwood location. Please call (925) 887-5681 for more information.
The Center for Grief and Loss


Grieving the death of a loved one can be a painful and lonely experience. It can change our world by altering our relationships with others, and our own sense of identity. Our daily habits are disrupted, activities associated with specific roles are lost, and life plans are derailed in the wake of significant loss. Frequently, it is difficult for us to know if the feelings and reactions we are experiencing are normal ones.

Our society encourages us to  “get over it and get on with life.” This leads to further pain and isolation. Grief is the natural response to profound loss and is the expression of the strong bond you had with the person who died. No two people grieve in exactly the same way. The way we express our grief is influenced by many things, such as:

  • the circumstances of the death
  • the relationship with the deceased
  • one’s culture, religion and personal beliefs
  • how we have dealt with previous losses


Grief, the natural response to a loss, is actually a whole array of feelings that deserve attention and care.  Some normal grief responses include:
Physical Responses
  • Tightness in the throat
  • Heaviness in the chest
  • Changes in appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Altered sleep patterns

 
Mental Responses
  • Forgetfulness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty believing the death occurred
  • Inability to complete previously simple tasks
Emotional Responses
  • Depression
  • Guilt
  • Anger
  • Sense of abandonment
  • Mood swings
  • Shock or numbness
Other Common Responses
  • Expecting the loved one to call
  • Sensing the loved one’s presence, seeing him or hearing her voice
  • Intense preoccupation with the deceased or how he or she died

The period of grieving is a natural part of the process of healing after a loss. Healing is possible when we allow ourselves to identify and understand our feelings as they arise. Participating in grief education classes and individual or group counseling can:

  • enhance the healing process.
  • reduce the sense of isolation
  • provide the opportunity to share experiences, thoughts and feelings
    with others who are in similar situations
  • lead to personal growth.
Some other ways to aid healing
  • Visit your physician to make sure physical symptoms do not indicate an illness.
  • Get plenty of rest. Nap if you aren’t sleeping well at night.
  • Spend time out of doors.
  • Exercise. Take a daily walk or go for a short bike ride.
  • Try to establish a daily routine.
  • Eat a nourishing diet and drink plenty of water.
  • Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.
  • Use prescribed sleeping aides or other medications only as prescribed.
  • Give voice to your feelings.
  • Talk to people who give you permission to have your thoughts and feelings without judging you.
  • Write about your experience.
  • Write to your loved one.
  • Give yourself permission to not participate in social activities if you do not feel like it.
  • Ask for help.
  • Participate in support groups or grief education classes.
OUR SERVICES

FOR OUR HOSPICE FAMILIES:

 

Informational Mailings:  Information about the grief process, and invitations to our support groups and classes, is sent to bereaved families and friends for a year following the death of their loved one.

 

Volunteer Bereavement Counselors:  Caring men and women that volunteer for our agency participate in an intensive training program.  This training prepares them to provide education about the grief process and to listen carefully to the people they visit in person or by phone.  Our volunteers are available to offer their support on a regular basis for one year following the death of your loved one.

 

Counseling: Professional counselors are available for individual or family sessions, which provide personalized support and education.  Referrals to other professionals in the community are available as needed.

 

Commemorative Service:  Each year, in November, we host the Evening of Remembrance, a special candle-lit ceremony at which family and friends gather to celebrate the lives of loved ones.  The evening offers companionship and comfort as guests visit wiht one another and with our staff members who cared for them and their loved ones.

 

OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY:

 

The power of group support can help to transform the pain of loss into growth, healing, and inspiration for the future.  With the support and assistance of the group facilitator, members can develop a sense of ease and acceptance in daily living while they learn to live with loss.

 

Support Groups:  Groups, which meet once a week for eight weeks,  are available throughout the year and are open to anyone.  Each group is lead by trained, experienced professionals who specialize in understanding and managing grief.  These groups provide comfort and information that will help to assure you that you are progressing normally and that your pain will ease.  There are groups for:

  • Widow and Widowers
  • Adults Who Have Lost a Parent

Classes:  Grief education classes are held to provide information about the normal grieving process and to present effective coping strategies for dealing with grief and loss.  Currently, we are offering classes in:

  • Understanding Grief
  • Coping with the Holidays

Please check the schedule to choose a group or class, and then call (925) 887-5681.
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