Description
This group does not have a set time limit. This group will help support individuals struggling with grief. The group will provide education about grief and provide skills to help clients manage emotions. In addition, the participants will identify challenges that made it difficult to move forward. The bereavement groups allow those who have lost a loved one to share their struggles with others who have experienced a similar loss.
What can I expect during the grief support group?
* A safe environment where one can tell his or her story and express feelings freely, knowing that others will be understanding, non-judgmental, and supportive.
* A place for establishing a connection with others to decrease the isolation that grief brings.
* A forum for understanding common myths about grief and typical grief patterns.
* A place for people of all faiths to learn from each other through sharing their grief stories in a non-judgmental way.
* A community that validates and normalizes one’s emotional reactions.
* A place for learning that there are many ways to grieve, all of which are natural and acceptable.
* A resource for gathering articles, poetry, and reading lists to further one’s awareness of the many aspects of grief. Discussion of articles can serve as a springboard for identifying important meanings in one’s loss and learning from examples of how others have faced their losses.
* A place for learning new coping skills, relaxation techniques, stress management skills, and daily survival skills that others in the group have found effective. The opportunity for members to help each other brings strength, confidence, and a new sense of purpose and value.
* An opportunity for personal writing and/or journaling that promotes self-examination and encourages exploration of the many aspects of loss over time. It is healthy to re-examine the loss at different times in the life cycle, (such as young, middle age, or older adulthood), to recognize self-change and growth, and feel good about these changes.
* A sounding board where members can present ongoing or new concerns, report on progress or challenges, and safely come back for help when they experience setbacks or backslides in their grief journeys.
Group Therapist
Nicole is a Licensed Master Social Worker based in Rochester, New York. Nicole specializes in Trauma-Informed Care, DBT, Grief Counseling, and Christian Counseling. Prior to being in private practice, she worked in chemical dependency and mental health outpatient settings with adults and adolescents.
Nicole is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: She takes a holistic approach to help clients get to the genesis of the challenges faced. Nicole believes we cannot control what happens to us, but we can choose to change the things that prevent us from being the people we want to be. As a trauma-informed therapist, Nicole is sensitive to the influence of past experiences and present challenges. She works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence, self-acceptance and compassion. Nicole's therapeutic approach ranges from Emotions Focused Therapy (EFT) or Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, or Prayer.
The ideal client for Nicole is ready to break free of unhealthy cycles or patterns. Her client is ready to do the work to become the best version of themselves by facing and healing the areas that cause stagnation.
Nicole services the state of New York virtually and provides in-person sessions in Rochester, New York. Her office is located at 250 Mills street, suite 501A, Rochester, NY, 14620.
