welcome to a2z healing toolbox®
Navigating grief and trauma with practical tools and resources
Group Support
Why consider group support?
Becoming involved in a grief or trauma support group can provide an invaluable network of other community members who have experienced similar life-changing events. In a supportive group environment with others who are traveling the same path, all feelings can be shared and released. Once feelings and experiences are acknowledged and validated by others, positive change can begin to occur. Support groups are offered worldwide for just about every life experience, transition, and challenge.
How does group support promote healing?
By providing permission to grieve openly and freely in a safe, structured environment
By allowing the opportunity to receive emotional, social, and spiritual support
By using the group process to facilitate positive changes in behavior
By offering support and camaraderie throughout the personal growth and healing journey
Bi·o·feed·back [bahy-oh-feed-bak] noun
1. Biofeedback is a mind-body technique that teaches how to bring the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) under conscious control. The ANS manages many bodily functions that we generally do not think about (heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, breathing). During a Biofeedback session, the therapist attaches electrical sensors to various parts of the body to track heart rate and breathing, while a computer gives feedback on the ANS. Biofeedback sessions are non-invasive and covered by some health insurance providers.
Resources
Websites & Apps
- Widowed Village (spousal loss) – A program of Soaring Spirits International created by widowed people for widowed people.
- Beginning Experience (widowed, separated, divorced loss) – The purpose of the Beginning Experience ministry is to facilitate the grief resolution process for separated, divorced and widowed persons, and children of these losses, thereby enabling them to again love themselves, others and God.
- Compassionate Friends – Provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) (military loss) – Offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a military loved one.
- Wounded Warrior Project (military loss) – Provide a variety of veteran programs and services to help you take the steps that are right for you. What’s more, thanks to the tremendous support of our donors, you never pay a penny to get the help you need to build the future you deserve.
Organizations
- The Grief Recovery Institute – Twelve-week group support program run worldwide. Also see The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith by John James and Russell Friedman
- GriefShare – Thirteen-week Christian-based grief support group facilitated at churches
worldwide. - Soaring Spirits International – Support groups for the widowed community: online, regional groups, and conferences.
- The Compassionate Friends – Support groups for child-loss community: online, regional groups, and conferences.
- The Dougy Center: The National Center for Grieving Children and Families – Support groups, programs, and education for children, youth, and families.
- Jewish Family Services – Jewish Family Services offers various support groups in the community.