-talk about their feelings

-build a list of community members and resources they can reach out to when they need or want support

-identify tools and practices they can use to help them navigate grief

-reduce somatic reactions and feelings of traumatic grief

-increase their overall wellbeing

References

Griffin E, O'Connell S, Ruane-McAteer E, Corcoran P, Arensman E. (March 29, 2022). Psychosocial outcomes of individuals attending a suicide bereavement peer support group: a follow-up study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8998629/#sec3-ijerph-19-04076.

HUGG. (2025). What is a HUGG suicide bereavement support group? HUGG. https://hugg.ie/what-is-a-hugg-support-group/

-The website and social media pages for my private practice

-Posting information on San Marcos Facebook Groups

-Sending a post to SMTX Bulletin Board on Instagram for sharing

-Posting flyers in the local library, in local businesses, and on community bulletin boards.

-Loved one's name

-Loved one's relationship to them

-When they lost their loved one

-Information they want to disclose about their loss

This information will ensure that participants are actually survivors of suicide. It is important that all participants have experienced a loss of a loved one to suicide because that creates an atmosphere of safety and allows participants to build trust.

Reference

Samaritans. (2025). Grieving a loss to suicide. Samaritans. https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/grief-support/#grief-support-request-form

Reference

Practice Directorate. (2024, July 29). Informed consent guidance and templates for psychologists.

https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/management/informed-consent

2. One person speaks at a time.

3. Everyone has an opportunity to participate and share.

4. Use only respectful words and responses

5. All group members will treat each other with respect.

6. Make every effort to be on time

7. All group members are encouraged to actively participate

8. Group members have the right to pass on an issue

9. Group members will be encouraged to have an open mind and accept where other group members are in their development.

10. Group members will have the opportunity to develop other guidelines.

We will go over these ground rules during the first session and members will have an opportunity to ask questions and add rules as they see fit. When the final list of rules is agreed upon, they will be repeated at the beginning of each of the following meetings.

Reference

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015, May). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide. Missouri Center for Career Education. https://www.missouricareereducation.org/doc/smallgroup/SmallGroupCounseling.pdf

In order to build relationships and trust between group members and myself, it is important to go over group rules, give members a chance to add any rules they think might be important, and then hold members accountable for following the rules. While we go over group rules, I will make sure to highlight that confidentiality is expected and if it is breached, they will no longer be welcome. I will have everyone explain what confidentiality means to them and fill in any gaps of knowledge as needed. Another great way to build relationships and trust is by giving each member time to share their story, making sure that each member gets enough time, and asking members to notice and point out commonalities. If we are all looking for things we have in common, we will definitely find ways to connect with each other.

Stage 2

Members are asked to share about themselves each session, so it is important that every member gets a chance to speak if they want and that every member gets enough time to speak. I will be watching the clock for the allotted time and gently remind members to wrap up their thoughts. If a member seems to not be progressing, that would be a great opportunity to lean in with curiosity about what is causing this. Maybe other members could provide their own insight or validate their feelings. This could build trust among the members and help them see that other people can be helpful, and that they can reach out to those people if needed. To keep track of progress, I will have members fill out a survey to let me know how they are doing physically and emotionally. This will also let me know if members are a threat to themselves or others so that I can follow up accordingly.

Stage 3

I will try to gently remind members that the group is ending without over-emphasizing it. It can cause feelings of dread and overwhelm, so it's important not to let members ruminate over it. The most important task for members before group closure is developing a safety plan in the event that they need emergency support. Every member will need to complete that before group closure. We will have a discussion about how they are feeling about the group ending and talk about why it's important to continue keeping everything confidential after leaving the group.

Reference

Cherry, Kendra. (2023, June 27). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Reference

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books. 

Counselors screen prospective group counseling/therapy participants. To the extent possible, counselors select members whose needs and goals are compatible with the goals of the group, who will not impede the group process, and whose well-being will not be jeopardized by the group experience.

I am required to select members who will benefit from the group and benefit others in the group. This screening process will help me create a super group of individuals who are all committed to expressing their feelings, learning coping techniques, finding community, and developing hope for their futures. The members selected during the screening process could have a great impact on the outcomes for all of the members.

Reference

American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Counseling.org. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

In a group setting, counselors take reasonable precautions to protect clients from physical, emotional, or psychological trauma.

Working with survivors of suicide poses a risk because they are more likely to also commit suicide. Clients might need protection from themselves more than anything. Having a weekly check-in survey will help monitor any risks. This ethical requirement will help me ensure that all of my members stay safe.

Reference

American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Counseling.org. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

Cherry, Kendra. (2023, June 27). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Griffin E, O'Connell S, Ruane-McAteer E, Corcoran P, Arensman E. (March 29, 2022). Psychosocial outcomes of individuals attending a suicide bereavement peer support group: a follow-up study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8998629/#sec3-ijerph-19-04076.

HUGG. (2025). What is a HUGG suicide bereavement support group? HUGG. https://hugg.ie/what-is-a-hugg-support-group/

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015, May). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide. Missouri Center for Career Education. https://www.missouricareereducation.org/doc/smallgroup/SmallGroupCounseling.pdf

Practice Directorate. (2024, July 29). Informed consent guidance and templates for psychologists.

https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/management/informed-consent

Samaritans. (2025). Grieving a loss to suicide. Samaritans. https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/grief-support/#grief-support-request-form

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.