Life After Loss
THE DEFINITION
Simply defined, grief is the normal and natural reaction to significant emotional loss of any kind. Grief is also individual and unique. As every relationship is unique, so are the feelings and thoughts each person will have about the relationship that has been altered.
Those who work in this field have identified no less than forty-two losses, which can produce the range of emotion we call grief. While we never compare losses, any list would include death, divorce, retirement, moving, pet loss, financial and health issues, and relationships that don’t meet our expectations.
THE PROBLEM
Most of the information passed on within our society about dealing with grief is not normal, natural, or helpful. Grief is the emotional response to loss, but most of the information we have learned about dealing with loss is intellectual.
THE PROGRAM
The Life After Loss program provides correct action choices that help people move beyond the pain caused by loss. It is a twelve week program which creates a safe environment in which to look at old beliefs about dealing with loss; to look at what other losses have affected your life; and to take new actions.
The Grief Recovery Handbook, The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses, (release by HarperCollins in 1998), and an accompanying format written by Institute founders, John W. James and Russell Friedman is used as the text for the Life After Loss program.
THE COMMITMENT
The Life After Loss program is not an occasional, drop-in group. For the safety and success of all participants, commitment and attendance are essential. For registration and more information, call the church office at 665-0014.
This program is led by facilitators who have been trained and certified by the Grief Recovery Institute. To ensure your success within this program, your facilitator has direct access to the founders of the Institute.