Bereavement Groups and the Role of Social Support

William G. Hoy, DMin, FT, is clinical professor of medical humanities at Baylor University. For sixteen years, he directed the bereavement counseling program for Pathways Volunteer Hospice in Long Beach, California. In that role, he led hundreds of bereavement support group sessions, trained volunteer and clinical group leaders, and provided clinical oversight to a program serving as many as 500 bereaved adults, children, and teens each year.

• Introduction 1. Making Sense of Grief 2. Social Groups and the Support of Bereaved Individuals 3. Recruiting and Training Group Leadership 4. What Goes On Here? Developing Content for Adult Groups 5. Meeting Challenges in Support Groups 6. Supporting Children and Teens through Grief Groups 7. Dealing with Complicated Grief in the Support Group Epilogue References Appendix Index

"For those who thought they knew everything needed to run an effective bereavement support group—think again! Drawing on an extensive bereavement literature as well as his own compass model, Dr. Hoy guides the reader into how to unleash the enormous potential of bereavement support groups as well as how to avoid their possible pitfalls. Group facilitators will want to read this masterful compilation to make sure they are on solid footing."Louis A. Gamino, PhD, ABPP, FT, professor of psychiatry and behavioral science, Texas A&M HSC College of Medicine, Baylor Scott & White Health"Dr. Bill Hoy has written an extraordinary and valuable tool for new and seasoned bereavement group facilitators. His review of the literature is impressive and creates the perfect foundation for the practical, helpful, and group-changing suggestions in the book. The benefits facilitators will find in this book include fresh insights and new, practical ways to be helpful to their members. A must read for support group facilitators and their supervisors."Jane Vair Bissler, PhD, LPCC-S, FT, clinical director, clinical counselor, Counseling for Wellness, LLP"This book provides a comprehensive look at bereavement support groups – how to organize them, how to lead them, and ways to make them effective. Based on solid research and the writer’s many years of clinical practice, the reader will learn why social support is such an important mediator towards making a good adaptation to the loss of a loved one."J. William Worden, PhD, ABPP, clinical psychologist, author of Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Professional"This thoughtfully crafted and practical book addresses the vital role support groups play in bereavement care, and does so incredibly well. Providing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of the role of social support in bereavement, it quickly moves to the groups’ nuts and bolts, addressing many of the thorny issues of group support. If you or your organization provides bereavement support groups, then this book needs to be in your library." Christopher Hall, MA, BEd, chief executive officer of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement"Some books become a gift to their field because the author is a clinician of incredible talent and integrity, while others become a gift because they are so well written and thoroughly researched. This book is a gift for both reasons. For bereavement group leaders, supervisors, and even for veterans, this is a resource to be read and re-read carefully! Its spine will soon be cracked and its pages turned down."Harold Ivan Smith, DMin, FT, teaching faculty, St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City"The libraries of practitioners, researchers, and educators in the field of death and loss will be enriched with the addition of Bereavement Groups and the Role of Social Support. Writing with authenticity and in an engaging, narrative style, Dr. Hoy conveys the story of contemporary grief support in a thoughtful and carefully researched book. Because it offers a well-integrated description of theory, recent research and practical applications, this book is a most valuable resource."Illene N. Cupit, PhD, Ben J. and Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Human Development/Psychology/Gender Studies, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay