This support group is for adults ages 25+ who are struggling with trauma, grief, and loss—past or present—such as death; divorce; relationship estrangement; act of violence; serious illness or injury; generational, cultural, or racial trauma; job loss; financial loss; loss of identity; loss of autonomy; lost opportunity; institutional loss; war; natural disaster; or any other traumatic loss. &nbsp;A traumatic event is an incident that can affect you psychologically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Responses can be immediate or delayed, brief, or prolonged. Regardless of your circumstances, you don’t need to mourn alone. As your Group Leader I am here to help facilitate the healing process through mutual connection and sensitive, empathic support. My goal is to help you grow and heal by normalizing the impacts of trauma, grief and loss and providing a safe, non-judgmental space for sharing, understanding, and adjustment. While grief can last for weeks, months or years, recovery IS possible because the human spirit is resilient. &nbsp;Topics we explore include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Grief vs. traumatic grief</li><li>The six needs of mourning</li><li>Types of trauma</li><li>Trauma responses</li><li>Stages of grief</li><li>Challenges of grief</li><li>The grief journey</li><li>Defense mechanisms</li><li>Making sense of loss</li><li>Changes in family, identity, roles</li><li>Spirituality, meaning &amp; self-care</li><li>Coping strategies</li><li>Lessons of grief</li><li>Good-byes, memories, rituals &amp; forward connections</li><li>Building resilience</li><li>Other topics based on group needs</li></ul> Disclaimer: The content of this site is for educational and informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor does it constitute legal or financial advice. Your Group Leader is not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided on this site or in the group. Always consult a medical, legal or financial professional with any questions you may have regarding your individual circumstances and situation.

I will regularly offer prompts as a way of connecting with you. These prompts are gateways to deeper conversations. To begin our discussions, please tell us: <ol><li>What loss(es) brought you to this group?</li><li>What are your expectations as a member of this group?</li><li>What specific types of support would be helpful to you?</li></ol>

Our First Discussion

As a member of this group, you agree to:&nbsp;1. Be respectful of and to one another and not pass judgment.2. Use *Trigger Warning* on posts that may incite a physical or mental response in other members.3. Participate in conversations in a productive manner.4. Respect the privacy of other group members.5. Take responsibility for the energy you bring to the group. POST YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT UNDER THIS THREAD.

Rules of Engagement: ACTION REQUIRED

Greetings New Member!!&nbsp;I'm Dr. Mary Canty Merrill your Support Group Leader. I'm an Industrial &amp; Organizational Psychologist by profession, so have extensive experience in understanding how people function as whole systems and working with clients through difficult situations -- mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You can read more about my experience in my posted bio.&nbsp;You have joined this group because you have experienced and want to process a personal loss(es) -- past or present. I'm here to support your journey, regardless of the type of loss -- death, relationship estrangement, job loss, act of violence, natural or man-made disaster, or any other traumatic loss.&nbsp;Loss is a natural part of the life cycle, so you have a RIGHT to grieve. This is a judgement-free zone where you can connect with others who understand what you're going through. We provide a variety of forums to discuss generic loss as well as more specific loss-related issues.&nbsp;Our conversations are open to all members. You can participate in our online and live discussions as much or as little as you'd like. Either way, it is my hope that you'll be inspired and encouraged by the stories, information, links, and resources that are shared so that you feel less alone in your grief. You can also feel free to share your own story, ask questions, share insights, and receive general feedback to aid in the healing process.&nbsp;BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN DISCUSSIONS, BE SURE TO READ&nbsp;OUR RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, POSTED UNDER A SEPARATE THREAD.