Running head: RECOVERING HEARTS 1

Group Proposal for Recovering Hearts

Bridgewater State University

Shanda Caniquie & Kendel Jester

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Title of Group: Recovering Hearts

Type of Group:

This is a grief group for parents who have lost a school-aged child. Meetings will take place for 8

weeks, one time per week, at 1.5 hours. This group will be homogenous in that each participant

will have experienced child-loss longer than six months prior, and no more than two years prior.

This group will be heterogeneous in that individuals will be of different gender, marital status,

and age.

Rationale:

Processing grief or moving on from the death of a loved one is something that can be

immensely difficult, regardless of the type of loss. One scenario in particular, which is difficult

for anyone to imagine, is the unexpected death of a child. According to Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer,

Greenberg, & Hong, 2008) approximately 50,000 children die unexpectedly each year in the US

(Rogers et al, 2008). Losing a child is one of the most difficult things that any adult can

experience and can have long-term negative effects (Rogers et al, 2008). Parental grief is often

longer and more intense than other types of bereavement (McCarthy et al, 2010). Rogers et al.

(2008) describes the impact of losing a child and how it can affect many areas of one’s life. This

includes, but is not limited to, psychological and physical health and wellness, social

relationships, family dynamics, and work life.

The AAMFT (2018) states how the loss of a child can negatively impact a marital

relationship. According the AAMFT, this type of loss can cause parents to “distance themselves

from each other temporarily, blame each other, (or) show disdain for the other’s grieving style”

(AAMFT, 2018). In addition, Rogers et al. (2008) cites a study which indicates the rate for

divorce among bereaved parents is up to eight times higher than normal (Lehman, Wortman, &
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Williams, 1987). To help grieving parents deal with this unimaginable loss, the AAMFT

suggests group therapy as an effective intervention to helping individuals relate to and learn from

each other. According to Yalom (2005), participants of counseling groups find that it can be

helpful in improving interpersonal relationships within and outside of the group. In a

questionnaire given to group participants, one of the most helpful therapeutic factors in group

therapy is interpersonal learning, which includes “learning about the ways I related to other

people in the group.” (Yalom, 2008, p. 83) For parents struggling with interpersonal

relationships, especially with their partner, group therapy could be a beneficial intervention.

A potential concern for grieving parents is that they are at high risk for depression and

anxiety (McCarthy et al, 2010). A study that looked at the long-term effects of child-loss found

that bereaved parents experienced a lower sense of purpose in life and reported a higher

prevalence of depressive symptoms. In addition to this, this study showed a lower score for

overall psychological well-being among this population (Rogers et al, 2008). In group therapy,

Yalom (2008) describes the effects of “universality” or the idea of one learning that they are not

the only one with their problems. Universality, as a therapeutic factor in group therapy, can help

an individual to overcome feelings of loneliness, and again, feel connected to others around

them. (Yalom, 2008) Knowing the potential long-term effects of child-loss and the applicability

of group therapy to these issues, it is easy to see how a support group could be a beneficial

intervention for grieving parents.

Goals & Objectives:

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Recovering Hearts grief group will provide a place for individuals to process their loss in a safe

environment while enhancing coping techniques. Objectives: 1) This group will provide an

opportunity for individuals to adapt successfully to life’s changing roles and circumstances, 2)

This supportive environment will provide a place for members to enhance their ability to

navigate their lives after their significant loss and into the future.

Basic Information:

This group will be open to individuals in a parenting role who have lost a school-aged child

between the ages of three years and eighteen years of age. Individuals in this group will have

experienced this loss no earlier than six months prior and no later than two years prior. This

group includes individuals of any gender, marital status, and age. This group will exclude two

members from the same family joining concurrently, and individuals experiencing psychological

conditions that would interfere with their ability to fully engage in group counseling.

Guiding Principles:

Confidentiality: What happens in the group stays in the group. For the safety and respect of all

group members, we ask that you do not share names, details, or stories with non-group members.

Attendance & Punctuality: Please plan ahead to ensure that you are able to attend all group

meetings and are able to arrive on time. If you have any concerns about your ability to do so,

please discuss this with one of the group leaders prior to the start of this series.

Respect: Show mutual respect for others' thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Assume Best Intentions: Try to give other group members and leaders the benefit of the doubt.

We are here to help each other through this process.

Allow Emotions: This group will be a safe place for members to express grief and loss in a

healthy way. Tears are normal, as are laughter and joy.

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Trust the Process: There is no specific timetable for grief and everyone experiences healing at a

different rate. Respect the rate at which others heal, and trust that this is not a quick fix.

Possible Topics and/or Therapeutic Activities:

Grounding Exercise: Will use meditative, grounding exercises at the beginning of each session to

help establish the guiding principle of being present.

Group Check-In: What are you feeling at this moment? This regular activity will assist group

members in articulating self-awareness and aid in the processing of grief.

Presentation of Memorabilia/Scrapbooking: Helps group members to concentrate on cheerful and

pleasant memories. Group members will bring in a piece of memorabilia (picture, stuffed animal,

etc.) to share with the group. Scrapbooking/collaging can also have similar therapeutic effects

and can help to bring group cohesiveness through the sharing of memories.

Social Identity Worksheet: Will help group members to reflect on identity pre and post-loss.

Discussion will allow members to share feelings, grieve, gain self-understanding,

Best Practices:

We have demonstrated best practices in the planning of this group by developing a group

proposal based on clear research, demonstrating professionalism, and practicing appropriately

under the supervision of our professor. We have shown competence in practice by monitoring

our strengths and weaknesses within the group, practicing self-awareness, and demonstrating a

willingness to explore our own values and belief systems. Lastly, we have shown competence in

processing through sharing our reflections in a group setting and providing thoughtful journal

entries.

Special Considerations:
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- As mandated reporters, we remind participants that facilitators are responsible for

formally reporting suspected abuse of a child, elder, or disabled persons.

- Unexcused absences from group will result in individual follow up with facilitators to

discuss challenges.

- Actively using alcohol, active abuse of controlled substances or illegal substances will

not be tolerated.
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References

Christ, G.H., Bonanno, G., Malkinson, R., & Rubin, S. (2003). Bereavement experiences after

the death of a child. National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK220798/

Grieving the Loss of a Child. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from

https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Grieving_the_Loss_of_A_Child.aspx

McCarthy, M. C., Clarke, N. E., Cheng Lin Ting, Conroy, R., Anderson, V. A., & Heath,

J.A. (2010). Prevalence and Predictors of Parental Grief and Depression after the Death

of a Child from Cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13(11), 1321–1326. Retrieved

from https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2010.0037

Meier, D. F., & Eddy, D. B. (2011). Children and grief: Developmentally speaking. Retrieved

from http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas11/Article_86.pdf

Rogers, C. H., Floyd, F. J., Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J., & Hong, J. (2008). Long-term

effects of the death of a child on parents' adjustment in midlife. Journal of Family

Psychology, 22(2), 203-211. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0893-

3200.22.2.203

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York:

Basic Books.