Question 1

Do you provide counselling, therapy, or crisis services?

Accepted Answer

The Centre for Grief and Healing utilizes a peer support model. Our groups and one-to-ones are facilitated by adults who guide, listen and support each person while they express their thoughts, feelings and fears to help provide a new sense of normal and understanding. None of the services provided by the Centre for Grief and Healing are counseling, therapy, or crisis sessions.

Question 2

What is a "Peer Support" model?

Accepted Answer

Peer support is the help and support that is given to you by someone like you - we are the bereaved helping the bereaved. Our staff and volunteers are all trained grief facilitators with different educational backgrounds. We are not counsellors or therapists; we are people like you who have experienced a death in    our family/friend circle and have undergone a similar journey of learning to cope and live with our grief. We are survivors of our grief - we can provide you with experiential knowledge, educational information and support that was and is gained through our lived experience of being similarly bereaved. Self-disclosure is to be expected from the peer support worker and facilitators own experiences.   Our peer support provides hope, acceptance, real understanding, empathy, and freedom to express ideas. Peer supporters help to maintain and strengthen the continuing bond with your loved one as repeated conversations about them are allowed and encouraged. They provide information and share strategies to normalize grief experiences and give guidance (ex. how to cope with special days). Peer support is a great aid to clinical support such as therapy and/or counseling.  Clinical services such as counseling and/or therapy involves little to no self-disclosure from the helper; rather, they draw from objective knowledge. They support individuals and families who may have pre-existing challenges in social functioning or other areas (ex. marriage and relationship support, navigating family dynamics, trauma, domestic violence, mental health challenges, etc.). Additionally, they support those who have developed serious difficulties in their grief (ex. risk of suicide, homicide, prolonged effects on one's health, mental health, sleep, etc.). These helpers focus on the person's background, their history, family, belief systems, and so on. Please visit psychologytoday.com if you find clinical support is more suitable for you.

Question 3

How much do you charge for your services?

Accepted Answer

The Centre for Grief and Healing is a not-for-profit organization. All services provided and programs attended are free of charge. All donations (monetary and in-kind) are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible ($20.00 minimum for receipt). We operate thanks to the generous donations of corporations, community groups, academic institutes, funders and donors like you!

Question 4

Do you have wait times for your services?

Accepted Answer

Our individual support sessions and group sessions are free thanks to the donations received from our community. Since 2020, our organization has experienced fewer staff members and has seen an increased demand of 470% for our individual support sessions. These sessions are facilitated by 1 of 2 staff members or by a student. Clients can expect an 8-12+ week waiting period between individual support sessions due to these demands. We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this. Should you require immediate support, please click here for a list of crisis and immediate phone support lines.   For those wanting to attend our peer support groups only, you may expect a wait time less than 8-12+ weeks for your initial one-to-one session as there are no sequential one-to-one sessions provided. Only one session is mandatory to have in order to attend our groups (see FAQ) and it acts as an information session, lasting up to 15 minutes.  Our support groups are capped at 10 participants total to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share. Our groups sometimes fill fast so we recommend registering as early as possible. Registration opens Mondays at 9:00am and remains open until the day of the group at 4:00pm. We do not accept registrations earlier than this and we require those interested to register during the week the group of interest runs. There are no wait times for our support groups unless they reach capacity.

Question 5

I don't live in Halton or Peel region. Can I still utilize your services?

Accepted Answer

Our organization does not deny the bereaved community from receiving our services and supports, unless otherwise noted (e.g., age limits). We are here to support you!  However, due to our increased demands and limited staff, we provide earlier dates and times for those that do reside within our catchment areas (Halton/Peel) and wish to receive one-to-one/individual peer support sessions. If you are only interested in attending our support groups, we are able to provide earlier dates and times for your group information session as no sequential sessions are provided.  We highly encourage you to first seek support from one of our affiliates should they fall within your city/region. You can find the list of our affiliates here: https://bereavedfamilies.net/affiliates/. You can also find grief supports near you by filtering your region at this website: https://www.thehealthline.ca/ and searching "Grief and Bereavement Support". https://211ontario.ca/ is a 24/7 resource hotspot that provides real-time resources you are looking for within your area.

Question 6

What steps do I need to take before joining a group/receiving individual support?

Accepted Answer

Please also visit our 'Individual Peer Support Sessions' page under the 'SUPPORT' tab for more information.  Every person is required to complete a brief intake prior to utilizing our services. The intake process takes a minimum of 5 minutes to complete. During an intake, we will ask you for basic information such as your: Name, Date of Birth, Address, Phone Number, and Email. Afterward, we will ask you about the loved one you have lost. We will ask you for their: Name, Date of Birth and Death, Relationship with You, and How They Passed Away. These same questions can be found on our Online Intake Form which can be completed and received more quickly.   After completing the intake (whether it be completed by phone or online), we will book your initial one-to-one appointment or send tentative dates and times for your initial one-to-one session with you to meet with a Peer Support Worker during our operating hours. All incoming participants must have a one-to-one prior to attending a group (see below for more information). After your initial one-to-one, you are welcome to register for group/s (unlimited use), or, you may continue having one-to-one sessions (up to 8 sessions total for those ages 18+ and up to 12 sessions total for those ages 6-17).   Someone will contact you within 3 business days to complete the intake process.

Question 7

Do I have to have a one-to-one? What is it and how many are available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a part of our policy, all incoming participants must have a one-to-one/individual support session with a Peer Support Worker. A one-to-one is a way for you to share your story, thoughts, feelings and fears for up to 50 minutes* at your own pace should you be interested in this service specifically or both this service and our support groups. In these one-to-ones, we will share coping strategies, experiential knowledge, and provide support while we help you navigate your grief journey.   There is a limit of 8 one-to-one sessions total for those 18+. *For those ages 6-17, up to 12 sessions are available, lasting up to 30 minutes for those 6-12 and up to 50 minutes for those 13-17. We do not provide support for those below the age of 6.  If you are interested in attending peer support groups only, your initial one-to-one session will act as an information session for up to 15 minutes. Here, we will provide you with information about our support groups and how to register for future groups. No sequential one-to-one sessions are provided.

Question 8

Do I have to register for a support group if I want to attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We require all participants and members (who have had an initial individual peer support session) to email us the Monday of the week the group runs in order to register and attend any group (you may email any other day during the same week; however, spots are limited and fill fast). We are open from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday to Friday to check our email.

Question 9

What is the difference between Open and Closed support groups?

Accepted Answer

Open Groups: Our open groups are our ongoing groups that occur on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, throughout the year (e.g., Mixed Loss, Child Loss, Sibling Loss, Parent and Guardian Loss, and Partner Loss). Open groups require registration during the week the group of interest runs (registration opens Mondays at 9:00am and stays open until 4:00pm the day of the group). One registration does not apply to the rest of the groups; you must register for the group of interest every week/bi-weekly (visit 'Adult Group Programs' to see how often the group of interest runs). New and existing members may join this group and occasionally there will be different group facilitators.   Closed Groups: Our closed groups are not ongoing; they have a set number of weeks the group will run for (e.g., 6-weeks, 8-weeks, 12-weeks). These groups are more specific to a population and/or to a specific type of loss (e.g., COVID-19 Loss, Suicide Loss, Overdose Loss, Newcomer Groups, Senior Groups). Closed groups do not require ongoing registration during the week the group runs. Participants register one time and this registration applies to each week of the group. New members do not join this group after the first two sessions, and no new facilitators will join. This group has the same participants and same facilitators throughout each week. With this said, weekly attendance is expected from both participants and facilitators. Closed groups are most effective when the same participants and facilitators attend each session to contribute to and engage through the emotional support offered within the group. This dynamic helps build rapport and trust within the group and can sometimes lead to lasting friendships!  Additional Closed Group Details: Participants who miss the first 2 sessions are removed from the group so that others can be invited to join. Participants are asked to report anticipated absences to info@bereavedfamilies.ca. We understand emergencies can arise and may prevent someone from attending a group. If this happens, we ask that you inform us ahead of time (if possible) that you are unable to attend a group session. Members who miss more than two consecutive groups without notifying us are removed from the group. *The types of Closed Groups vary throughout the year and are based on grant approvals, and/or community requests and/or gaps.

Question 10

What can I expect in a group?

Accepted Answer

All open and closed groups are run by trained group facilitators that have also experienced the loss of a loved one and/or have closely supported a bereaved person. Our facilitators provide individuals with the opportunity to learn, share, and engage in conversation that will help reflect upon and work through their grief.   **Due to COVID-19 and increased service demands, all our groups are being run through Zoom.   Upon arrival, participants are welcomed into a calm and relaxing space (check-in required) and may be seated in the meeting circle (in-person groups). During virtual groups, we encourage you to find a safe, quiet space where you feel you can freely share and be your authentic self. Prior to beginning the session, we do a modified, seated stretch and/or a light breathing exercise to calm the mind and body*.   Following, we will do a brief check-in to see how everyone has been doing leading up to the session while introducing ourselves. Depending on the week's topic, our facilitators will pose a discussion question/topic to the group around Coping Strategies, Holidays/Events, Grief Timelines, Other Life Changes and more. This leads to an opportunity to connect with others that have experienced similar challenges and feel empowered knowing that they are not alone.   *Each participant is not required to participate and may pass if they wish to do so.

Question 11

Do you have age restrictions for your services?

Accepted Answer

You must be 18+ to attend our: Child Loss, Parent & Guardian Loss, Sibling Loss, Partner Loss, and Mixed Loss groups. Our Youth and Young Adult Art Expression group is offered for those 14-29 years of age (currently on hold). We provide individual support sessions (one-to-ones) for ages 6 and up.

Question 12

Do you limit the amount of participants in group?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We cap all of our groups at 10 participants total. We limit the amount of participants in group to be mindful of the amount of time available for each individual to share and be heard. We want to ensure that everyone who wants to share has the opportunity to do so.

Question 13

I'm running late! Can I still come to group?

Accepted Answer

We ask for all registered participants to arrive on time. This is to be respectful and mindful of the other participants who may be sharing/disclosing difficult information with the other group members. If you are aware that there is a chance you may be late, please email us at info@bereavedfamilies.ca. It is important to note that after group has started, the main office door will be locked 20 minutes from the group's start time (in-person). For virtual groups, you will not be admitted into the group if you arrive 20+ minutes late.

Question 14

I am unable to make it to a group I registered for. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are aware you cannot attend a group you registered for, please call or e-mail us at: 905-848-4337 or info@bereavedfamilies.ca as soon as possible. This is so we have an understanding of how many participants there will be in group and/or we may provide your spot to another participant wanting to attend group.

Question 15

Does my loss need to be recent to receive support?

Accepted Answer

We all grieve differently. We recognize that grief can hit us at different stages in our lives no matter the amount of time that has passed since the loss. Please join us when you are ready, whether it's soon after your loss, months later, or years later.  Please keep in mind that we do not provide clinical services such as counseling and/or therapy. If you have and/or are experiencing pre-existing challenges in social functioning or other areas (ex. marriage and relationship support, navigating family dynamics, trauma, domestic violence, mental health challenges, etc.) or, have developed serious difficulties in your grief (ex. risk of suicide, homicide, prolonged effects on one's health, mental health, sleep, eating habits, mental health challenges, etc.). then clinical support is encouraged. Please visit psychologytoday.com if you find clinical support is more suitable for you.

Question 16

Someone in our school/workplace died. Do you provide support for this?

Accepted Answer

We provide support groups and/or educational workshops onsite for students and staff members coping with a loss and for those who are unsure of how to better support themselves and those around them. Please see our Workshop tab under 'SUPPORT' for more information.

Question 17

Do you provide support for a Pet Loss?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we do not provide support solely for those who have lost a pet. If you are in need of a Pet Loss support group, you may contact "Ontario Pet Loss Support Group" at: 905-272-4040 (Mississauga), 905-842-2252 (Oakville) and/or 416-782-1197 (Toronto).

Bereaved Families of Ontario -

Halton / Peel

Registered Charity #118803667RR0001

CENTRE FOR GRIEF & HEALING

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Registered Charity #118803667RR0001

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