The authors focus on building a culture of mutual aid within a bereavement group – a place where young adolescents learn to help each other cope and come to terms with death, loss, and grief.
For use in schools and other settings, the safety of the group allows youth to express emotions and confront feelings such as regret, anger, and guilt.
The first part of the book provides detailed information on how to plan, organize, and implement a bereavement group with this vulnerable population.
The second part provides a 12-week curriculum containing a variety of reading, writing, discussion, and art activities. The program was developed and field-tested over the past 10 years by the Children’s Bereavement Project, a community-based organization located in New York City.
Appendices contain sample letters, permission slips, schedules, and other helpful information for implementing the program.
Book Reviews
“Very clear and concise, the message is on the focus of the adolescent who is undergoing grief, understanding the components of grief, the need for support groups, the impact of grief on the community, school, and peers, and how to place closure.”
—Deborah Hardy, New York State School Counselor’s Association Newsletter
“Grieving, Sharing, and Healing provides a valuable resource to any school counselor working with young adolescents. For those who need ideas of how to help students deal with grief, those who feel they need to know more about this issue, or for those who work with students dealing with other losses (divorce, separation from family), this book is full of quality research in an easy-to-read format.”
—Lynn Merlone, New Hampshire School Counselor’s Association Newsletter
“Developed by the Children’s Bereavement Project in New York . . . A great all inclusive resource.”
—Virgina Rose, Oregon School Counselor’s Association Newsletter
“A comprehensive guide to understanding adolescent bereavement and helping young teenagers cope with loss. The first part of the book is a thoughtful and well-researched analysis into the impact of grief on adolescents. This guide for facilitators addresses the factors affecting an adolescent’s grieving process and establishes guidelines for planning a bereavement group that is customized to meet the needs of its members. The book’s second part suggests activities and worksheets for each stage of the grieving process, including surveys and poetry prompts for youth.”
—Youth Today
“The authors not only outline the objectives and rationale for each of the twelve weeks, but also provide a step-by-step process by which each group should be conducted as well as a list of materials and full-size copies of the worksheets used for each group. Although the book is described as a ‘Guide’ in the subtitle, it would certainly qualify as a ‘Manual’ for anyone wishing to replicate this particular method of group work.”
—Robert H. Ayasse, Social Work with Groups
“The authors present a cogent and complete process that clearly outlines the steps necessary for adolescents to learn the language of loss and grief, to express feelings in an appropriate manner, to connect with peers and adults, and to learn how to progress and move on with life. . . . It is our role as school psychologists to help children and teenagers learn that it is appropriate to grieve and to heal. This book provides a straightforward outline for helping to accomplish just that.”
—Jill Greenstein, New York School Psychologist
