A Grief Support Group
Honoring All Types of Loss
Offering Support, Information, Community & Hope
From members who experienced our public grief group:
"Very welcoming.I picked up a few new tools to use as I move through this part of my life. Everyone there was open and supportive. I didn't want it to be over!"
"This group has really helped support me through a difficult time. I think we have all helped each other learn about ourselves and lift each other up."
"These meetings have meant so much to me, and I cannot recommend them enough. They're definitely perspective shifting, and authentically encouraging."
"Very helpful exercises last night. Sometimes you just have to "be" with what you are experiencing."
"Healing"
Private Grief Groups available
Unfortunately we are no longer offering public grief groups but encourage you to look at some of our therapy resources for alternative public grief groups. If you are interested in setting up a private grief group for your family, friends and or community to process the passing of someone or something (such as divorce) please contact us. We can custom organize a set number of weeks of group processing for your group.
Group process focuses on empathetic listening, compassion and healing. Groups can be any length but are frequently a series of 6 meetings. Groups are encouraged for grief processing because they help alleviate the experience of extreme isolation that can happen with grief. Individuals in gropus are encouraged to meet outside of group, between group meetings.
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Some topics that can be put into a custom grief group process include:
- Introductions, beginning to share process/loss.
One on one sharing. Group sharing.
- What to expect during a grief process, what aspects of grief come up
- Using the body to come in contact with emotion
- Compassionate Listening, sharing, Sitting with oneself with Compassion,
- Experiencing Healing through Sound
- Re-envisioning the future, visualizations
- Compassionate listening, sharingGrief Therapists
Catherine Rose, MSW, CHT
Co-founder of Organic Relating and the Heart Weaving process, Catherine's background includes graduate studies in social work, extensive training and certification in Hakomi Psychotherapy with Melissa Grace and Phil Del Prince at the Hakomi Institute in Boulder, CO, Recreation of the Self training in Portland, OR with Jon Eisman and two years of training in family systems therapy at the SKY Center in New Mexico and a long term personal practice in yoga. Catherine's interest in healing and psychology began after losing one of her friends to suicide. Her journey through various stages of grief shed light on the different realities we sometimes live in and created an ongoing curiosity about other people's experience. While working at an agency in Taos, NM Catherine met and worked with Ted Wiard. Ted impressed Catherine with his knowledge and support of the grief process and his loving presence around people at all stages of their lives. Catherine is happy to have the opportunity to work with Ted again to create and share Golden Willow Grief groups in Portland, OR.
Jodi Lietz, MA
Jodi Lietz believes that grief is an experience that can be helped with the support of others who understand the common emotions that come with the experience. She practices a person centered approach to counseling believing that in each of us we have what we need to find hope, peace and joy in life. She believes that sharing and being heard is the medicine in therapy that can help lead to perspective shifts which can move towards wholeness. Jodi has a private practice in downtown Portland and works with individuals and couples.
Marika Shimkus, LPCi
Marika's aim in counseling is to draw from the inherent strengths and abilities of each person and help move toward growth and greater life satisfaction. She uses person centered and eclectic approaches to assist in increasing awareness, identifying obstacles, and utilizing strengths to help move past these obstacles. With a background in expressive arts therapy, Marika believes creative processes can be another valuable tool in fostering expression and deeper awareness.
Sam Bean
Sam has been doing personal growth work for over 20 years, and is a graduate of the Hakomi Institute with post-graduate training in character maps and attachment, the later of which she has a natural aptitude for. Additionally, Sam has attended hundreds of hours of workshops in 5 Rhythms Dance, and has participated in and co-facilitated Authentic Movement for many years. In all the personal work Sam's done, grief work was some of the loneliest work she did. It doesn't have to be that way. Sam feels honored to support those on their healing journey with grief. Sam has a special interest in sexuality; and is passionate about changing the relationship we (as a culture) have with our sexuality. Sam also has many years of experience with issues related to open relationships and offers compassion, acceptance and wisdom with this often difficult, emotionally challenging terrain.
Ted Wiard
Ted Wiard provides support and supervision for our Golden Willow Grief Groups. Reverend Ted Wiard along with his wife Reverend Marcella Wiard created Golden Willow from a combined vision of compasion and healing towards all life. Ted is a licensed clinical therapist, certified grief counselor, an ordained minister, a New Mexico certified schoolteacher, and a certified tennis teaching professional. Ted’s passion for working with grief, loss, and resiliency arose from his own personal losses in which he realized there were very few places to go for support and healing from loss.See Ted's Story Below:
