How to Run a Children's Grief Support Group

The loss of a loved one for children is an extremely painful experience; especially if it's the loss of a parent, because in the mind of children, parents are supposed to protect them from harm. One way that children can cope with the loss of a loved one is to join a bereavement group. These groups should be run by licensed mental health professionals who have studied the impact of death on children. The leader should specialize in working with children who have experienced loss and have close supervision, because the process can also be difficult for the therapist.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board
• Markers
• Children's books on bereavement

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare. One of the most critical factors when running a group is the preparation, and determining which children should be a part of the group. Ideally, you should choose six to eight children around the same age for the group. Prepare each child for the group by having a meeting with each one a week before the group starts. Let them know what the group is going to be like and answer any questions they may have.

• 2

  Establish ground rules. It's important when running any group, including a bereavement group, to establish ground rules. Children who have experienced loss already feel unsafe. Therefore, the group space needs to feel safe for each child for them to benefit from the group. Ask the children for ideas about what the rules should be and list them on poster board with a marker. Hang up the poster before every group session.

• 3

  Purchase a couple books on bereavement that were written for children. In the second group session, read a couple of the books and ask the children for feedback.

• 4

  Plan activities. For the next seven to ten group sessions, plan activities that focus on bereavement and expressing feelings that accompany a loved one. For example, help the child remember the person that died by developing a profile of the person and, in another group session, discuss feelings of anger. There is a great handbook, "Kid's Grief--A Handbook for Group Leaders," you can use to compile more activities.

• 5

  Keep track of the sessions. Make sure that you continually remind the children how many group sessions are left, because the end of the group will definitely bring up feelings of loss. These feelings should be addressed in at least the last two to three group sessions.