Would a Support Group for Grief or Loss Be Helpful for You?

As part of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, the Center for Grief and Healing offers a variety of support groups to address grief and loss.

You and your family are invited to participate in support groups that may be of help to you! This summer, we will begin inviting the general public to groups. Groups meet virtually or in person in Roanoke, and there are plans to expand throughout our communities as interest grows. There is no cost to participate, though registration is required.

“The goal of the Center is to provide holistic supportive resources for children and adults,” said Joe Gieck, Ph.D., director of Psychiatry Clinical Services. “We want to help those experiencing grief to deeply connect with themselves and others experiencing similar losses. They are not alone on this journey.”

Group discussions offer a safe space to talk about issues among people that have experienced similar pain. One-on-one scheduled appointments with a therapist are also an option if you need additional support. 

Support groups are led by a team of licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, service area leaders and volunteers. They focus on all types of loss, including death, chronic illness or newly diagnosed disease, caregiver concerns and parental loss. In coming months, we will introduce support groups for suicide loss, pediatric and teen grief, sudden changes in life circumstance and COVID-19-related grief.

Healing Arts supplements support with various forms of creative expression, and the Center collaborates with internal teams equipped with expertise in emotional well-being, including Chaplaincy, Community Health and Outreach, EAP, Homecare/Hospice, Palliative Medicine and Pediatrics. Referrals from primary care providers help increase awareness of support for grieving patients.

Watch this video for more information about the center.

Learn how to appropriately respond to grieving patients and co-workers through Cornerstone. To sign up for support groups, visit CarilionClinic.org/grief. Questions? Email us at CGH_info@carilionclinic.org.