Grief Support

Grief Group for Parents of Adult Children

The loss of a child at any age brings a unique grief. Traumatic circumstances make coping especially difficult. In this group series, led by an experienced grief counselor, we will discuss what to expect when grieving, how to cope with grief, parental identity after loss, managing responses from friends, family, and strangers, dealing with birthdays and anniversaries, guilt, and the layers of grief. Limit six.

Dates:  TBD. Call for details. 4 week sessions. 

Grief Counselor: Lynn Acquafondata, LMHC

Location:  Room 1, 18 Harvard St. 

Cost: $180 total. Discount rate for couples.  (Some scholarship money available.) 

Grief Group for Parent Loss

Are you grieving the death of your parent? Join with other adults who are trying to navigate grief and life changes following the death of a parent. Topics may include: coping strategies; changing identity and role, changes in family, spirituality and meaning; myths and facts about grief, anger and other emotions.

The companionship of a grief support group can help you face difficult emotions and feel heard by others who understand the challenges you face. 

Dates:  Call for next dates and times.

Time:   4:15-5:30 PM Grief Counselor: Lynn Acquafondata, LMHC

Location:  Whole Heart Community Room.  

Cost: $145 total. 4 weeks. 75 minute sessions.

Group Therapy in Rochester, NY Grief Groups

Coping with Grief and Loss

Grief is the emotional response to the death of a family member or close friend,  Grief is also a common response to other major loses such as separation or divorce, the loss of a job, the death of a treasured animal companion,  the loss of financial stability, or loss of safety after trauma. 

Feelings of grief can be  overwhelming, and it can be hard to know how to manage and overcome these emotions. Sometimes grief stirs up family conflict. If you are having trouble coping on your own, or know of someone who could use extra support, a therapist can assist.

Why People Join a Grief Support Groups

Grief support groups provide a specialized environment where people connect over the shared experience of loss to reduce isolation and build a foundation for healing. Our groups are led by trained and licensed professionals.

• Learn What to Expect in the Grief:  Sometimes grieving people feel like they must be doing it all wrong or “going crazy”. Groups help to normalize the grief process, as well as learning to identify signs that you might need a higher level of care such as individual therapy or prescriptions medication.
• Break Isolation: Grief can be incredibly lonely, especially when friends or family seem to have "moved on". Groups provide a community of people who truly "get it".
• Validate Emotions: Hearing others share similar struggles—like anger, guilt, or "brain fog"—normalizes your own experience and reduces the fear that you are "going crazy".
• Learn Coping Skills: Participants exchange practical strategies for managing triggers, such as anniversaries or sleepless nights, and learn healthy ways to process intense emotions.
• Find Hope: Connecting with those further along in their journey provides a "glimpse into the future," showing that joy and a "new normal" are eventually possible. 

Everyone experiences loss differently based on their personality, culture, and beliefs, stage of life and support system among many other factors. There are some commonalities as well. 

An important part of healing is knowing that you are not alone. Seek support from your friends, family, or faith, or join a bereavement support group. Sharing your loss can make the grieving process easier. Remember to take care of yourself; to eat, sleep, and exercise even when you’re too stressed or fatigued to do so. A healthy alternative is to seek the help of a professional therapist. A therapist can help you work through your intense emotions in a safe environment.