Grief support group set for July 12

A free grief group therapy session courtesy of LifeTouch Hospice will be held on Tuesday, July 12, and is intended to help those in the community dealing with grief.

LifeTouch Counseling Services Coordinator Abby Alphin is organizing the group and said the meeting is a new start for a service previously offered by the hospice.

“There were many different group therapy sessions hosted by LifeTouch Hospice in the past that had specific focuses such as child loss or parent loss, but this is the first one to be held in a few years. We are going to start hosting these group therapy sessions quarterly.” Alphin said.

Although LifeTouch staff members will be present to assist in the therapy, much of the focus will revolve around allowing grieving people to talk in a safe and understanding environment.

“People who attend should expect to be able to meet and converse with other people in this area who are grieving a loss. Our hope is that relationships are built, friendships are made, but most importantly people feel comfortable freely expressing themselves and their emotions to the point that when they leave here that day they feel encouraged that they will be able to cope with their grief and still feel happiness in their future,” Alphin said.

LifeTouch will make both licensed social workers and chaplaincy staff members available for the therapy session. This variety, Alphin said, will help address a range of needs depending on which each person needs for support during a time of grief.

“Our goal is not for us to lead the group, but to guide the group and answer any questions. We hope that people begin talking on their own because this makes the meeting less formal; how we want it, comfortable. I’ve seen this happen often,” Alphin said.

The meeting is set to take place from 5:30 to 6:30 on July 12 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House. No sign-up is necessary; anyone interested can simply show up for the meeting.

“I believe that people who have experienced any kind of loss or anticipate a loss of a loved one in the near future due to a terminal illness or something similar would benefit from this. I believe that community leaders or church leaders who are often faced with the challenge of talking with families or friends of people of have experienced the loss of a loved one would benefit to better understand their feelings and how to better go about comforting them,” Alphin said.

LifeTouch also offers one-on-one community bereavement therapy. For more information, LifeTouch can be reached at (870) 862-0337.