When we left UMASS Hospital after saying good-bye to our Benny, we were handed a packet of information by our social worker and sent on our way. There was no follow-up from the hospital and the information that they sent home was depressing at best. I remember my friend and sister looking through saying we can’t share this with you! It was filled with divorce statistics and depression resources. I was in no way prepared to even begin to think about either of those things, I just wanted to know what to do next?
So let’s begin with therapy. My sister and cousin the social worker insisted that we find someone to see for ourselves, our marriage and our daughter. I honestly felt like we were coping pretty well on our own.
Almost four years later I recognize how invaluable it was having someone to work through our grief with. My husband and I were both very lucky to find someone that we connected with and who would see us individually and as a couple. I would suggest talking to your insurance provider first and try to find someone that they will cover. If you have to pay out of pocket, it’s anywhere from $75+ a session. That adds up quickly. I would love to be able to recommend our therapist, but she is no longer accepting new patients.
Below is a list of providers that we have used or have been personally recommended to us by friends/family that have used them.
Adult Therapists/LICSW:
Cynthia Graber, Psychotherapist, located in Worcester
Joanne Jozefowski, Psychologist, located in Worcester; Author of the ‘The Phoenix Phenomenon: Rising from the Ashes of Grief’
Helen Turano, CBT, DBT ERP, ACT, located in Worcester
Play Therapy & Behavior Therapy:
You Inc., located in Worcester; Accepts MassHealth; Have locations in Worcester, Gardner and Southbridge
Lutz Family & Child Associates, located in West Boylston
Pediatric Behavioral Health, located in West Boylston
It took me months before I felt like I was ready to join a grief group. And then it took me a few tries to find one that I really clicked with. I think back to that first meeting and how terrified I was. Now I look forward to our monthly get together’s and the support that I receive from my fellow mamas.
Child loss Grief Groups for Adults:
PIETA, meets second Monday of the month in Worcester
Hope Lives Here, meets in Worcester and Rutland; General grief meetings and child loss meeting (co-lead by yours truly!)
Compassionate Friends (Have chapters all around the country)
Tears Foundation, has a Center for Child loss and Support Groups for infancy and baby loss
Loss Groups/Camps for Children:
Carriage House, located in Worcester
Heart Play, located in Wayland
Foundations Providing Financial Support
Losing a child is devastating. Trying to mitigate the financial burdens that come along with this loss can sometimes be overwhelming. Below are some resources available to help.
The Tears Foundation
The Tears Foundation helps to provide financial assistance for babies that have passed. They also have support groups for pregnancy and infant loss.
The Greg Hill Foundation
The Greg Hill Foundation helps local Massachusetts families that have suffered tragedy. After the loss of our Benny they held an on-air fundraiser on WAAF and raised money from their listening audience, then matched it. Thank you to everyone that supports this amazing foundation!
My ‘Grief Gurus’
Sunshine, Angels and Rainbows 