Groups Family Loss Group |
Parent Loss Group
A bereavement group for siblings, parents and other close relatives who have lost a loved one. Tuesdays 7-8:30pm Valley Beth Shalom *One Time Registration Fee - $35.00 Please call ahead for information before attending.
A bereavement group for Adults who have lost a parent.
First two years of mourning. Two groups meet every week for the first two years of mourning, led by licensed therapists.
First two years of mourning. Four groups meet every week led by licensed therapists Thursdays Valley Beth Shalom Please call ahead for information before attending. First two years of mourning. Two groups meet every week for the first two years of mourning, led by licensed therapists. Tuesdays Wilshire Blvd Temple One Time Registration Fee - $35.00 Please call ahead for information before attending.
Offered twice a month for anyone who is beyond 2 years of grieving. Led by a licensed therapist, this group helps to explore and find answers to your questions about how to redefine life after 2 years of grieving and loss of your spouse. Tuesdays 7:30-9PM Thursdays 7:30-9PM If you attended the HOPE ALumni Groups during the first 2 years of loss, you are invited to attend the Alumni Groups. The cost is $27.00 per group. For additional information or if you are interested, please contact
I am the Executive Director of H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation. H.O.P.E. is a non-profit organization, whose name is an acronym for Hope, Opportunity, Participation, and Education. Its mission is to help people whose lives have been touched by loss. The repercussions of these life changes associated with bereavement and cancer are alleviated through group support, educational input, and the therapeutic processing of feelings and emotions associated with the grieving process. What makes H.O.P.E.’s program unique is its model of graduated groups, distinguished by the months of mourning, which I will expand on in this article. The weekly bereavement and cancer support groups are facilitated by licensed therapists. They utilize Yalom’s stages of group process as outlined in his book entitled, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. These stages include the following: First, orientation, hesitant participation, search for meaning and testing. The members look toward the leader for structure. Secondly is conflict crisis and conflict resolution. Thirdly is cohesiveness, common goals, group spirit, cooperation, mutual support and group integration. Increased mutual trust and self-disclosure are noted in this stage. Each H.O.P.E. bereavement group is mixed in age, with a common theme of loss, for example, Widow/Widower Group, and Family Loss Group. Each group has the opportunity to process the five stages of loss (Shock, Denial, Anger, Depression, and Acceptance) in a manner that is suitable to the individual member. H.O.P.E. has adopted a model that assigns members to a group according to their month of mourning. Ideally, the model encompasses a 2 year commitment by the individual (Widow/Widower’s Group) beginning with the first month of mourning. The mourner graduates from one level to the next according to their month of mourning as well as their progress in the bereavement process. New members starting at more advanced months of mourning are screened and assigned to an appropriate group level. Each group level has its hallmark features including an array of issues, behaviors, and feelings. The group levels include the following: Group One (0-4 months of mourning): Issues processed are related to early loss, such as shock and denial where members often describe themselves being on “automatic pilot”. They are often irritable, impatient, have trouble concentrating and sleeping and cry very easily. Furthermore, they experience memory loss and loss of self-esteem. Typical questions might include, “Will the pain ever go away?”, “Will I ever feel better?”, “When should I take off my wedding ring, discard their clothes or write thank-you notes?” Another concern is that participants often cannot tolerate staying home alone. Group Two (5-8 months of mourning): The common feeling is one of feeling out of control. They ruminate over why they could not have prevented their loved one’s death and they feel awkward in their new roles, taking on new tasks thrust upon them. The new anger merges with the old anger as “Why did they have to die” fuses with “Why did this have to happen to me?” They are now coming out of their shock and denial stage (frozen state) as they “defrost” and the feelings are being experienced with even greater intensity. Many firsts come up such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays and the anticipation is often much worse than the actual event, as verified by the group. Typical comments or questions might include, “I feel like a fifth wheel when I go out with my couple friends”, or “My friends do not know what to say to me”, or “I find myself breaking down in embarrassing places”. Group Three (9-12 months of mourning): The numbness of shock has worn off and the deep dark, sadness pervades their lives. The pain of loss is truly felt, endless memories triggered by seemingly trivial events. Typical questions and concerns begin to evolve around thoughts of their futures, even dating. “How will I know when I am ready?” “Am I forgetting my spouse if I begin dating?” Their future begins to emerge from the changing perceptions of themselves. Other issues might reflect the conflict of going to events of celebration while still mourning and handling discussion or lack of discussion about their loved one. Good days and bad days are more clearly defined. This is clearly a transition time. Group Four (13 – 24 months): Certain themes emerge at this stage as for many, the second year is more painful than the first. Sadness is revisited and experienced at the deepest level, replacing the initial impact of loss and devastation. There is usually significant growth in a forward movement and people begin to adapt to being alone and redefining who they are. The move toward acceptance (transition, integration and adjustment) has begun, albeit with much trepidation. The H.O.P.E. program helps people express their feelings in a safe, warm, accepting atmosphere, where people are taught to listen to and support each other, healing each other. We strongly feel that grief shared is grief diminished. For more information about the Bereavement and Cancer Support groups H.O.P.E. has to offer in the Valley and on the Westside, please contact Dr. Stolzman at (818) 788-HOPE (4673). Return to TopThe H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation groups are currently offered and facilitated in West Los Angeles and Encino, California. If you are in another area of California or another state, we are sorry that at this time we do not have support groups in other places. We recognize your need to heal during this difficult time. We would suggest that you contact your your local Psychological Associations, Universities, Hospitals, Sliding Scale Clinics, Churches/Temple and/or Hospices to check for grief groups being offered. Many of your local Psychologists and or other Mental Health Professions may offer grief counseling and groups, as well. We wish you a healing journey through your grief. |
Inroads
by Stephan David, Dragonfly Music
www.stephandavidhewitt.com
A CD that contains the soothing music, "The Goodbye" that you hear
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Contact Us:
Phone: 818-788-HOPE
H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation
P.O. Box 8034
Calabasas, CA 91372-8034
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"The Goodbye"
When one door closes.another door opens; But we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door That we do not see the ones which open for us.
-Alexander Graham Bell