Support Services
There are elements of grief that are common to all who pass through it. Understanding and dealing with these common elements can be very helpful to people who experience the death of a loved one.
“We lose not only through death, but also by leaving and being left, by changing and letting go and moving on.
-Judith Viorst
The Life Center offers a variety of support services to individuals in places of transition resulting from the death of a loved one, an unexpected diagnosis, or an unanticipated event. Operating from a holistic model we believe that change impacts individuals physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and socially. Our services are designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients and their families.
Grief is a normal and appropriate response to loss. We believe that loss is any time life is different than we wanted or expected it to be. Though grief is universal, our response to loss is affected by our own unique perspective. We believe the process of grief is best supported by appropriate education and services that affirm both collective and individual aspects of transition.
- Counseling
Individual, couples and family counseling are available by appointment. - Healing Touch
A non-invasive technique that utilizes gentle touch to clear, energize and balance the human energy fields to promote physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. These services are available by appointment. - Adult six-week support groups
Six week support groups are offered for those 18 and over who are grieving the death of a loved one. Specialized groups are offered for Widow/Widower, Parent Loss and Survivors of Suicide.
Retreats
Camp Nabi and Phoenix Rising welcome children and teens, six to 18 years old, who are grieving the death of a loved one. Held at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, Maryland, during the weekend of August 13-15, 2010, participants can expect to:
• Share feelings and memories in a safe, accepting environment;
• Discover that they are not alone in this experience;
• Learn about the grief process;
• Explore coping strategies; and
• Make new friends and have fun
Camp Nabi (pronounced nah-bee) is the Korean word for butterfly that symbolizes the transformation experienced through the grieving process. From the darkness and isolation of grief, much like a cocoon, children gradually emerge as a beautiful butterflies, forever changed and unexpectedly strengthened by the grief experience.
At Phoenix Rising teens discover that by working through the difficult and often isolating feelings of grief they, like the Phoenix, can rise from the ashes and discover their resiliency and strength of character.
Camps have a participant fee and pre-registration is required. Please call for information. To view a camp annual from last year's event, please click here.
For information, please call The Life Center at 410.987.2129 or click here to complete our online form.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a monthly drop in support group for children ages 8-13 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Participants explore the grief process through the use of facilitated discussions, storytelling, arts and crafts and memory rituals.
Camps
At Stepping Stones, participants:
- share the experience with others their own age
- learn about the grief process at an age appropriate level
- recognize that feelings and memories are important and valued
- explore healthy coping strategies
- discover that they are not alone in this experience
Where: The Life Center
When: For specific dates, please visit SUPPORT PROGRAMS CALENDAR
The cost is $10 per child. For more information or to register, please call 410.987.2129.
SoulCollage
Group participants construct a series of small collages with which they can do various exercises targeted at personal healing and self growth. This ongoing group meets the 1st or 2nd Monday of the month from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Redeemer, 7300 Racetrack Road in Bowie, Maryland. Pre-registration is required.
Please contact Roberta Rook for more information at 301.499.4500 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . There is a supply fee of $5 per session.
Educational seminars
Educational seminars are presented for those 18 years and older as a “roadmap to grief” to help individuals understand the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and social manifestations of grief. Special programs are offered during the holidays to learn coping strategies and honor grief during this season.
CaringBridge® offers free personalized websites that allow people to stay in touch with family and friends during a health crisis, treatment and recovery. The goal of the service is to ease the burden of keeping friends and family updated, while also providing a way for them to send their love, support and encouragement.
For more information, please visit www.CaringBridge.org
Education and Research
The Life Center offers:
• Graduate and undergraduate internships;
• Educational resources and support for professionals;
• Research presentations at state, national and international conferences; and
• An active research site affiliated with local centers for higher education and research acquisition.
Fees for Services
The initial session fee is $40. Subsequent session fees for counseling and complementary therapies are offered on a sliding scale which your counselor or therapist will review with you. It is our intention to provide competent and compassionate care tailored to each individual and family’s needs.
Fees for support groups are $60 for six weeks. Seminars and drop-in support groups are $10 per person. Pre-registration is required for groups and seminars.
Counseling, support groups and complementary therapies are available to Hospice of the Chesapeake families, without charge, for up to a year from the time they begin services.
