The Understanding Your Grief Support Group Guide

by Alan D. Wolfelt

When we’re grieving the death of someone loved, we need the support and compassion of our fellow human beings. Grief support groups provide a wonderful opportunity for this very healing kind of support. This book is for professional or lay caregivers who want to start and lead an effective grief support group for adults. It explains how to get a group started and how to keep it running smoothly once it’s underway. The group leader’s roles and responsibilities are explored in detail, including communication skills, trust building, handling problems, and more. This Guide also includes twelve meeting plans that interface with the second editions of Understanding Your Grief and The Understanding Your Grief Journal. Each week group members read a chapter in the main text, complete a chapter in the journal, and come to group ready for you to guide them through an exploration of the content. Meeting plans include suggestions for how to open each session as well as engaging exercises and activities. A Certificate of Completion you can photocopy and give to group members in the final meeting is provided.

Genres: Grief, Psychology

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Bernie Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have facilitated bereavement groups for a number a of years and learned many new ideas from this book. It also served as a refresher for some points that I had forgotten. I highly recommend it for anyone considering beginning in bereavement support.

[Abdulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides practical strategies for a safe and supportive environment for mourners. I especially appreciated the tips for establishing ground rules and the balanced discussion on the pros and cons of structured versus unstructured meetings.

[Alex Arias · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book!

This book appeared when I was trying to plan a group therapy. It is so good and easy to follow

[Glenda Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtfully written and presented - Wolfelt is careful to identify the difference between discussion group facilitation and support group facilitation. And though the information on being a facilitator is through, he does not overemphasize nuts and bolts at expense of content.

[Tanja Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might have been more helpful reading this in conjunction with the other two books in the series. Still some good tips on leading grief support groups.