The pastoral care team at CentraState Medical Center is offering two, eight-week bereavement support group sessions beginning Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus Conference Center, 901 W. Main Street, Freehold. Every Tuesday through Oct. 31, the support groups will be offered during a day session from 3-4:30 p.m. or in the evening session from 7-8:30 p.m.
CentraState’s pastoral care team has several years of experience with people grieving over a loved one. The team draws insight from years of chaplaincy work in various hospitals, intensive care units, nursing homes and hospice. They understand that when a loved one dies, a bereavement support group can offer many healing benefits, from coping mechanisms and emotional connections with others, to the simple release of powerful emotions. All sessions are free and confidential and we recommend attending all eight sessions to experience the full benefit.
The support group topics and schedule are as follows:
- The Experience of Loss: An Overview
Tuesday, September 12, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7– 8:30 p.m. in Room C - Feelings: Recognizing Emotion
Tuesday, September 19, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. in Room B - Family Systems: Coping with Special Events
Tuesday, September 26, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7- 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium - Grief: Belief Systems
Tuesday, October 3, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. in Room C - Loneliness: The Many Faces
Tuesday, October 10, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. in the Health Awareness Center - Anger: Sources
Tuesday, October 17, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. in the Health Awareness Center - Guilt & Depression: Facing Emptiness
Tuesday, October 24, 3- 4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium - How to Keep Growing; Spirituality
Tuesday, October 31, 3-4:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
**At the last session there will be a private candle lighting ceremony.
If you are interested in attending either the day or evening series, call the CentraState Pastoral Care Department at 732-294-2744 or email Chaplain Sharon Douglas at Sdouglas@centrastate.com. For more information about pastoral care services and bereavement support groups at CentraState, visit centrastate.com/patient-information/pastoral-care.
CentraState Healthcare System is a nonprofit community health organization consisting of an acute-care hospital, a health and wellness campus, three senior living communities, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a charitable foundation. CentraState’s teaching program is sponsored by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.