Bereavement Professional

Hi Veronica-

I run both on-going social hours (informal conversation groups) and 6 week structured psycho-educational groups. I offer both types of groups for general grief support, support specific to those who had complicated relationships with the deceased, and for caregivers.

I don't have a time limitation on length of time from death. I explain to participants when they call to register that they know best what their needs are. I've had people join within a few weeks of a death and others who are several years out. Thus far feedback has been positive and people appreciate that I trust them to make a decision about if the group feels helpful to them or not.

It's been lovely having a wide range of time since death in the group as those who have had more time to be with their grief can often serve as mentors to those whose death is more recent.

If you want more information about either of the formats, feel free to email me.

Laura Lirette M.Ed, MSW, CSWA

Bereavement Coordinator

Mt Hood Hospice

PO Box 1269

Sandy, OR 97055

Main number: 503-668-5545

Fax: 503-668-7951

llirette@mthoodhospice.org

Hello!

We have an 8 week, closed, curriculum based support group that is co-facilitated with two bereavement staff.

We also have multiple, open drop-in groups that meet approx. twice a month and there is no limit to how long someone can attend. It is not uncommon that someone might begin group work many months into their death, and their being no 'timeline' for grief, we offer the flexibility of the bereaved to self-determine the start/end of their participation. However, I will add that we have some clear and helpful norms, rituals and group guidelines which help create safe space and shared expectations. Thus no attendee keeps coming indefinitely.

When there are concerns in either closed or open group around someone's appropriateness of fit, the facilitator attends to that and bridges the individual to other resources or therapeutic connections, as needed, and their participation in group may/is likely to sundown.

Of note, our program appreciates consistent weekly meetings for bereavement staff and management to engage in clinical consultation with one another to process group dynamics and issues together. There are so many unique circumstances with each individual who attends our groups and we definitely have found this kind of processing together very helpful.

Joelle Osterhaus, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW (she/her)
KPNW Hospice & Palliative Care Psychosocial Services Manager

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." - Hellen Keller

Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Continuing Care Services 2701 NW Vaughn St., Ste. 140, Portland, OR 97210-5344

Cell Phone: (503) 312-0819
Main Office: (503) 499-5200

Fax: (503) 499-5535

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