GRIEF AND LOSS Small Group Counselling Curriculum – 8 Sessions – Grades 9-12

“Healing Hands – Navigating Grief Together” is an research-based and trauma-sensitive 8-week small group counselling program designed for high school students. This curriculum is aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards and offers a supportive framework for students to explore, understand, and navigate the complexities of grief. “Healing Hands – Navigating Grief Together” employs interactive, hands-on engaging activities throughout each session, creating a comprehensive and supportive curriculum for high school students navigating the complexities of grief.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1.Grief Exploration: Encourage participants to openly explore and understand the dimensions of their grief, fostering self-awareness and emotional insights.

2.Peer Support: Cultivate an environment where participants can share their experiences, providing and receiving support from their peers on a shared journey of healing.

3.Coping Strategies: Equip participants with a toolkit of coping strategies, empowering them to navigate the emotional challenges associated with grief.

4.Memory Celebration: Create opportunities for participants to celebrate positive memories of their loved ones, promoting a sense of connection and remembrance.

5.Resilience Building: Facilitate activities that enhance resilience, helping participants build strength and adaptability in the face of loss and life’s challenges.

6.Future-Forward Reflection: Encourage participants to reflect on their journey, fostering a positive outlook and providing tools for moving forward with resilience and hope.

This Grief and Loss Small Group Counseling Curriculum includes:

• Note to Counselors
• Objectives & Goals
• Group Session Overview
• ASCA Mindset and Behavior STANDARDS
• Binder Cover Page & Spine Options
• Teacher Nominations and Follow Up Forms
• Parent/Guardian Letter and Consent Form
• Group Planning Sheet
• Name Tags
• Group Member Reminders
• Group Attendance Record
• Student Pre & Post Outcome Measures
• Teacher Pre & Post Outcome Measures
• Additional Data Collection
• Confidentiality Sign
• Passes – Hall, Class, Counselor, Social Worker & Psychologist
• Student Desk Reminders
• Counselor Chats Handout
• Certificates

Below are the specific details for each individual session which can be used in isolation or as a comprehensive curriculum.

SESSION OVERVIEW

1. Welcome and Introduction: In the opening session, students are introduced to the group, fostering trust and setting expectations. Group-building exercises and activities are employed to establish a supportive environment.
2. Exploring Grief: This session delves into the concept of grief and its various manifestations. Through a grief collage reflection, students visually express and share their individual experiences, promoting understanding and empathy.
3. Stages of Grief: Participants are introduced to the fluid nature of the stages of grief, understanding its complexities. The session incorporates interactive activities to deepen comprehension and facilitate discussion.
4. Exploring Emotions: The focus shifts to identifying and managing emotions associated with grief. Engaging in emotion charades and discussion circles, students enhance their emotional literacy and communication skills.
5. Caring for Yourself: Emphasizing the importance of self-care in the grieving process, this session equips students with strategies for emotional well-being. Activities include creating a self-care toolbox and practicing mindfulness exercises.
6. My Grief Suitcase: Students examine their personal coping strategies and resilience, represented symbolically in a “Grief Suitcase.” This reflective session promotes self-awareness and understanding of individual coping mechanisms.
7. My Memory Jar: Crafting a Memory Jar becomes a poignant activity to honor positive memories and celebrate the lives of loved ones. Personal reflections are incorporated into this creative and meaningful exercise.
8. Termination and Review: The concluding session focuses on group reflection, expressing gratitude, and discussing future support. Students engage in activities that encourage thoughtful reflection on the group journey, fostering a sense of closure and individual goal-setting.