At Good Grief Rochester, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and confidential environment where individuals can speak openly about their grief. Protecting the privacy, dignity, and emotional safety of every participant is essential, and these expectations apply to everyone without exception.
We maintain a judgment-free environment because we recognize that grief is deeply personal and that each person’s feelings and experiences are valid. Participants may not always agree with one another; however, differences must always be expressed respectfully and compassionately.
Our Focus Is Grief
Each meeting is intentionally focused on your grief journey, the emotions surrounding your loss, the challenges you are experiencing, and the ways you are learning to navigate life after loss.
Good Grief Rochester is a peer-support program. We do not provide clinical therapy, mental health treatment, or professional counseling, nor are our meetings intended to function as a social club.
Our goal is to support participants as they learn to understand, express, and move through their grief, gradually developing the tools and confidence needed to move forward with less reliance on the group.
If it appears that a participant is consistently unable or unwilling to engage with grief-related concerns, or if their needs fall outside the scope of what Good Grief Rochester can appropriately provide, the facilitator may speak with them privately. When appropriate, we may recommend other resources or services that are better suited to their individual needs.
Because meeting space and group time are limited, continued participation requires a willingness to engage respectfully with the purpose and focus of the program.
Alcohol and Recreational Drug Use
Participants may not attend a Good Grief Rochester meeting while under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or other substances that could impair judgment, behavior, or the safety and comfort of the group.
If the group leader reasonably believes that a participant’s condition or behavior may negatively affect the safety or dynamics of the group, the participant may be asked to leave the session. This boundary is intended to protect both the individual and the integrity of the group environment.
Emergency Contact and Safety Concerns
As part of registration, we ask each participant to provide an emergency contact person. This information is requested solely for situations in which there is a serious concern regarding a participant’s immediate safety or the safety of others.
Whenever appropriate, we will first speak directly with the participant about our concerns and provide information regarding available resources and support.
However, if a facilitator or organizational leader reasonably believes that there is an imminent risk of harm to the participant or another person, Good Grief Rochester may contact the participant’s emergency contact and/or appropriate emergency or crisis resources.
Our actions will be guided by concern for the participant’s safety, the safety of others, applicable legal obligations, and reasonable professional judgment.
By participating in Good Grief Rochester, attendees acknowledge and agree to respect these expectations so that we can preserve a safe, compassionate, and meaningful environment for everyone.
All participants should understand that this is not therapy. While the group founder is a Certified Grief Counselor and Death Doula, she is not an NYS-licensed therapist. Certified Counselors Certified grief counselors help individuals navigate and cope with the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges of loss through compassionate support & guidance. All group leaders have been trained as certified grief coaches. This is strictly a forum for those dealing with grief to explore their feelings, learn techniques to better cope, and understand daily feelings that may arise. If the group leaders feel that you would benefit from formal therapeutic interventions, they will let you know privately and have resources for you to contact if you choose.
Confidentiality: What is shared in the group stays in the group. No one is to share what goes on in the session outside the meeting room. It will demonstrate safety and respect for your fellow participants. If this is not maintained, there will be immediate dismissal from the group.
Respect: Be respectful of others’ experiences, beliefs, and emotions. Furthermore, we will not discuss religion, race or political beliefs. If “hot topics” arise, the group leaders will redirect the dialogue.
No Judgement: This is a nonjudgmental space. All grief journeys are valid. Feelings are neither right or wrong – they simply are. If a participant feels that they are not respected, we will immediately handle. This is a safe place to be ourselves.
Listening: Allow others to share without interruption or offering unsolicited advice. If there is a time when something is unclear, wait until the speaker is done and then respectfully seek clarification.
Participation: Participation is encouraged, but not required. We also encourage topics you would like to have us cover. This is YOUR experience and we want to offer you the best outcomes.
No Disruptive Behavior: Aggressive, harmful, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. You will be eliminated from the group immediately.
Social Media: At NO times will anything that is discussed by our groups or names of participants be shared. This would violate their privacy and erode the safety net we provide our group members. If we see any social media posts, you will be eliminated from further participation in any Good Grief Rochester activity.
No Children Allowed: Because of the limited timeframe to be together, we cannot have disruptions. Topics will be sensitive and emotions may erupt that younger folks will not understand. Therefore, it is your responsibility to make arrangements for your children < 14 years of age to remain home.
Participants: Those accepted into the sessions are those actively grieving, not for observation or general interest. Each registrant may bring one support person if desired.