"To everthing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die."
                                                                                  
              -Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

Obviously, following the loss of a loved-one, many survivors experience a deep sense of grief that often can become debilitating.  In order to help families through this difficult period of adjustment and ultimate recovery, Arlington sponsors and hosts a bereavement program utilizing the skills of two local therapists,Dr. Barbara Steffens, PhD. and Dr. Sheryl Cohen, PhD.

Our program is acutally a series of four one-hour sessions that complement and build upon each other.  The format is a small group setting and functions somewhat similar to a support group.  Each group ranges in number from four to eight participants and meets in the comfort and privacy of our Reception Center.  During the course of the series, the therapist takes the participants through the stages of grief and facilitates discussions centering around common difficulties that may be encountered.  Of course, like so many other emotional events in life, the grief must first be acknowledged and confronted.  Through instruction, discussion and interaction, the participants gain an appreciation and understanding of expectations, pitfalls, well-being and self-care.
 

From its inception, we have received consistent feedback that our program has been instrumental in helping survivors deal with the impact of grief.  However, a recent card we received perhaps best expresses the intention of the program:
 

"Thanks so much for offering the Bereavement Program at Arlington Memorial Gardens.  I look forward to attending each session.  It has been a great support for me in my time of grief."

Arlington provides this program as a community service and underwrites the entire cost with the exception of an initial $5.00 registration fee.  Those who are interested in participating, whether experiecing difficulties or merely in need a boost, may contact Joanne Martin at (513) 521-7003 or by e-mailing her at our Administrative Center at joanne@amgardens.org.

Next Series: May 16; May 23; May 30; June 6
                      Each session begins at 4:30 pm.