Does Group Grief Counseling Work?

Some evidence suggests that group grief counseling helps reduce depression symptoms in people after losing a loved one. Group grief therapy, available in-person and online, helps you build connections with others who are grieving and might positively impact your mental health.

Grief affects people in different ways, and asking for help in dealing with it can be difficult. Read on to learn whether grief counseling works, what to expect, and how to prepare for your first session.

What Are Grief Support Groups?

Grief support groups allow you the space to share your experiences with losing a loved one with others going through similar events. People often enter a period of grief after losing a loved one, but everyone experiences grief differently. You might feel intense anger, fear, or sadness. Some people develop physical complications, including heart attack and stroke. A grief support group might connect you with others who share similar feelings and reactions to you.

Grief support groups take different forms but tend to adhere to the self-help model, Matt Lundquist, LCSW, a social worker who specializes in grief therapy, told Health. Everyone in the group has the opportunity to share their experiences. The idea is to create a space free of judgment where support is the priority.

"In most cases, other group members may offer support but not practical help or commentary," said Lundquist. "In this way, grief support groups differ from therapy because the feedback of therapy is often initially not a part of the structure."

Benefits of Group Grief Counseling

Losing a loved one is often a traumatic experience, and grief can be long-lasting. The goal of group grief counseling is to reduce the mental and physical effects of grief to help you move forward.

There are several possible benefits of group grief counseling, such as:

• Helps show the reality of the grieving process: Hearing about others' experiences can give you an idea of how long it takes and how disruptive it can be. You may feel hopeful if you see others in later time frames of their grief function in ways that seem unfathomable after you lose someone.
• Provides you a safe space to release your emotions: Many people are not comfortable sharing their feelings with family and friends. A grief support group may provide an outlet if you desire to talk to others but do not know where to go.
• Reinforces that you are not alone in your grieving: The grieving process can feel lonely. It might help to see that others are going through similar life changes as you are, though differently.
• Teaches you coping skills: You can learn from others and exchange ideas for handling difficult situations.

How To Prepare for Your First Session

It's a good idea to prepare yourself for feeling a wide range of emotions in response to some of the stories you hear. You will not know in advance what kind of losses people might talk about. Take a quiet time out by leaving the room until you feel comfortable if something upsets or triggers you, Jill Cohen, a grief counselor based in New York, told Health.

The kind of details some members share about their loved ones, both positive and negative, may bring a sense of relief, said Cohen. For example, you might feel comfort in knowing that someone shared a similar experience as you.

The range of emotions in the room might surprise you: "Some members will be animated about their loss and give details and use their emotions boldly—crying, anger, even a curse word maybe," said Cohen.

Others will simply sit and not be able to speak. You might not be ready or willing to share the most minimal information about their loss, which is OK.

Finding the Right Grief Support Group

Start your search for a grief support group online, said Lundquist. You may identify a few options and then look into feedback from those who've attended them. Many churches and other religious groups offer group grief counseling. Other groups are run independently. A therapist often moderates the group.

You might find a group that matches your specific loss, such as a child, spouse, or suicide loss or loss to cancer. You'll likely interact with people who understand the specifics of what you are going through. You can connect with people either through in-person or online grief support groups.

In-Person

In-person grief support groups typically meet on a regular schedule (e.g., once per week for five weeks). You might opt for an in-person group if you do not have privacy in your home to attend an online meeting.

You will sit with a facilitator and other members for a set amount of time to talk about your experiences and feelings and share coping mechanisms. The facilitator makes sure the members stay on point, gives everyone an opportunity to talk, does not talk over one another, and supports each other appropriately.

Online

Online grief support groups have a similar structure to in-person ones. There's no shortage of online grief support groups held via Zoom or a similar platform. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided the elements for it to work, such as user-friendly technology and privacy from wherever you access the session.

Grief is physically exhausting and often leaves people lacking energy and motivation. The ability to access group grief counseling online takes away some of the effort. Online support can also be beneficial if you live in an area that does not offer in-person groups.

How Effective Are Grief Support Groups?

Research has found that grief support groups can be effective for some people. A study published in 2020 found that group grief counseling helped alleviate and manage sorrow. The researchers noted that some people could depend on the participants to understand their feelings. Still, others reported that their grief persisted after the final group meeting.

A grief support group is only part of the process for some people. Keep in mind that the grieving process is unique to the griever. What may be helpful for some is not always appropriate for others. For example, you might benefit more from individual counseling than group counseling.

"For some people, if their needs are more complicated, they benefit more from one-on-one attention, particularly if it was a traumatic loss or a complicated grief," said Cohen.

A Quick Review

Group grief counseling connects you with others who are grieving the loss of a loved one. A grief support group might reduce the mental and physical effects of grief. You may feel relief in knowing you are not alone in your grief and even learn ways to cope from others. 

Keep in mind that everyone grieves differently, and a group setting will not always be effective. You might benefit from one-on-one support with a mental healthcare provider.