Bereavement Support

Losing a loved one can be debilitating. Everyone processes the shock and grief of loss differently, and the individual journey of grieving can leave us feeling isolated and lost. When you don’t know where to turn or how to move forward, JSSA is here to help you.

Our bereavement support groups provide a respectful and supportive setting where you can share your feelings and gain insight into the process of grieving. Facilitated by clinicians with specialized training and experience in grief and offered at no charge, these groups include:

• Adult Children Who Have Lost a Parent
• Loss of Spouse/Partner
• Loss of Spouse/Partner Over One Year
• Suicide Grief for Adults
• Teen Suicide Grief
• COVID Loss
• Loss of a Young Child

Please Note: Pre-registration is required for all bereavement groups. Please see our workshops and groups page for more information and to register.

We also offer counseling and therapy services, in which our expert mental health professionals work directly with you to help you navigate grief and feelings of loss following the death of a loved one.

Bereavement Groups

Teen Suicide Grief Support Group – VIRTUAL GROUP

Have you recently experienced a death of a loved one? Are you struggling with a wave of feelings that are confusing? Do you feel alone? Do you feel different and that no one understands you? These are just some of the feelings one feels when they are grieving. Please know that these feelings are normal and that you are not alone.

This group will provide you with a safe place to talk about your feelings surrounding your loss. Topics will include the meaning of grief and the different ways people grieve. Resources will be provided.

Ages: 14-18

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 3-4 p.m.

*This group will require a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 8 participants.

Facilitator: Heidi Cohen LCSW-C

Heidi Cohen is a licensed clinical social worker who has been with JSSA for 15 years. Heidi specializes in the treatment of child sexual abuse and family violence as well as grief and bereavement, particularly due to suicide.

If you are interested in joining this group, please call Heidi Cohen at 301-610-8379.

Adult Children Who Have Lost a Parent Support Group

Seven-session evening group for adults who have lost a parent within the past year. Held several times a year.

Facilitator: to be announced.

For more information, please contact Deb Vaughn, Bereavement Counselor, 301-816-2658.

COVID Loss Support Group

Six-session evening group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19. Dates to be determined.

Facilitator: Sinem Meneses, LCSW-C

For more information, please contact Sinem Meneses, LCSW-C at 301-816-2634

Loss of Spouse/Partner Support Group – ongoing

Meets virtually the second and fourth Friday of the month

TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Facilitator: Irene Mednick, LCSW-C.

For more information, please contact Deb Vaughn, Bereavement Counselor, 301-816-2658.

Loss of Young Child Support Group – ongoing

Meets virtually on Monday evenings, once a month

Facilitator: Suzanne Adelman, LCSW-C.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Adelman, LCSW-C, at 301-816-2683

Suicide Grief Support Group for Adults

Meets virtually the first and third Mondays of each month

TIME: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Facilitator: Ellen Lebedow, LCSW-C.

For more information, please contact Ellen Lebedow at elebedow@jssa.org or call Deb Vaughn, Bereavement Counselor, at 301-816-2658.

Loss of Spouse/Partner Greater than One Year

Eight-session evening group for adults who have lost a spouse/partner over a year ago. Held several times a year.

Facilitator: Deb Vaughn, Bereavement Counselor

For more information, please contact Deb Vaughn at 301-816-2658.