- Is the person or family struggling with
anger, emptiness, panic, survivor’s guilt, confusion with the judicial
system, etc.?
- What does the participant want or expect
from the group?
- How ready is the individual or family to
mobilize?
- What kind of support will they need and/or are ready to accept?
More specifically, are the individual or family members ready to
avail themselves of the mutual aid and healing potential of an emotional grief support
and mind-body spirit rebirth group? Is
the person able to emotionally give and take with peers in a group or is s/he
first in need of individual counseling?
The power of group is primal:
not only are we not alone; we can see ourselves (and forgive ourselves) more
clearly through another’s story – whether large pain or small triumph. And the process of sharing and touching
others not only provides hope…it is also self-healing! When group diversity and purpose, sharing and
caring, crying and even some laughter are woven together then a group creates a
tapestry of unimagined possibility.
Please join us as we weave
our life-and hope-sustaining tapestry!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A.
The Irreplaceable Loss
1. What makes the loss of a child so painfully unique?,
and what makes violent death so tragic?
2. In times of traumatic crisis, who are your
true friends and allies?
3. What is your biggest fear for your child, for
yourself?
4. Why is this grief never finished?
5. Over time, is it possible to regain a sense
that life is still worth living?
6. The challenge of anniversary dates
7.
Dr. Hicks’ “Trauma Survey: Twenty
Questions”:
B.
Dynamics of Loss and Grief
1. Understanding unfinished grieving, “one day at
a time,” and “Grief Ghosts”
2. Experiencing the many layers and sides of loss
and grief
3. Stages of loss and grief, including Shock,
Denial, Rage, Helplessness, Guilt, Ambivalence, etc.
4. Types of Grieving: head, heart, behavioral, social, reflective,
creative, and integrative
5. Difference between “Feeling Sorry for
Yourself” and “Feeling Your Sorrow”
6. Understanding the critical difference between
depression and grief
7. The potentially magical healing path of grief
C.
Key Trauma/Grief Healing Steps, Tools, and Techniques
1. 3-D – Discussion-Drawing-Diversity – Grief-Team
Building Exercise
2. “Nine Step Trauma & Grief
Orientation-Engagement Recipe: Group
Facilitation
3. The art of embracing and slowly letting go of
past pain: “Fight & Flight, Freeze
& Flow”
4. “Bad Kids or Traumatized Kids”: Understanding the person-situation context
5. What would your child/loved one want you to
be doing now?
6. Carefully using “Healing Humor”: The Link between Comedy and Tragedy
7. Allowing for the periodic psychic flu
D.
Head-work, Heart-work & Homework:
Next Steps
1. Discover the Stress Doc’s Stress Resiliency
Formula for Natural SPEED:
Sleep-Priorities-Passion-Empathy-Exercise-Diet
2. Making a “Stress/Battlefield Buddy”
3. Joining a peer support group like
“Compassionate Friends” or even a “Twelve Step” Support Group
4. Knowing when to reach out for personal/spiritual
counseling
5. Building a personal memorial/tribute to the
loved one
6. Advocating for or honoring the loved one in
the public arena
7. Learning to journal, engage in creative grief
expression, and/or engage with nature; overcome a “Fixed Mindset,” explore the
“Growth Mindset”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presenter Bios
Dr.
Charles Hicks
Charles’ professional career started as a Public
School Teacher, evolved into Teaching in Academic Departments at various
Universities – Howard University, Duquesne University, Morgan State University,
Towson State University, the University of Baltimore, and The Johns Hopkins
University. Dr. Hicks was also a staff
member in the Student Affairs Department at the California Polytechnic State
University where he served as a Career Counselor and Career Center Coordinator.
He was an Industrial Social Psychologist in the Human Resources Department of
Gulf Oil Corporation, a Sr. HRD Consultant at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and a
Staff Consultant at Personnel Decisions, Drake Beam Morin, Lee Hecht Harrison,
and Right Management - Career Outplacement Firms. In addition, he has been an
executive coach with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®) for 25 years and
has staffed programs at the Greensboro facility and also at the National
Leadership Institute – a CCL Affiliate at the University College, University of
Maryland. Roles have included facilitator of experiential team activities in
the program modules and as also as a developmental assessment feedback coach,
delivering 1 on 1 client assessment feedback, and follow-up coaching services.
In addition, Charles has extensive adjunct affiliation (25 years) with the
Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA. Currently he is affiliated
as a Personal Empowerment Coach with the Inspirit Counseling Services of
Baltimore, Maryland.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark
Gorkin, “The Stress Doc” ™
Mark
Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is an acclaimed keynote,
kickoff and webinar speaker as well as "Motivational Humorist & Team
Communication Catalyst" known for his interactive, inspiring, and FUN
programs for both government agencies and major corporations. The Doc is
a Training and Stress Resilience Consultant for The Hays Companies, an international corporate
insurance and wellness brokerage group.
He has also led “"Stress and
Communication,” as well as “Managing Change, Humor, and Team Building" leadership
retreats for a variety of units at Ft. Hood, Texas and for Army Community
Services and Family Advocacy Programs at Ft. Meade, MD and Ft. Belvoir, VA as
well as Andrews Air Force Base/Behavioral Medicine Services.
A former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, the Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress and of The Four Faces of Anger. The Stress Doc blog appears in such platforms as HR.com, WorkforceWeek.com, and MentalHelpNet. His award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com – was called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR). For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.
A former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, the Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress and of The Four Faces of Anger. The Stress Doc blog appears in such platforms as HR.com, WorkforceWeek.com, and MentalHelpNet. His award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com – was called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR). For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.
