Grief is a journey to integrate a new reality, the loss of someone we love. We never move on or get over significant loss; we slowly accept and become accustomed to a life without physical contact with our loved ones who have died. Our experience of grief is directly correlated to the love, connection, complication, and dynamic nature of our relationships. Therefore, grief is ongoing, precarious to navigate, and follows us in our development. The key to grieving in connection with others shifts the unimaginable to possible.
For children, the death of a parent, guardian, or sibling will shape their development. For children who are encouraged to express their feelings and find connection with others around grief, there is a far greater chance they avoid a ripple effect of trauma connected to the death. When children are allowed to integrate their experience of loss, they are more likely to build deeper wells of empathy, grow into emotionally mature adults, and integrate the sorrow of life in ways that does not diminish their capability.
While there are roadmaps, there is no single path to grieving. Imperfection in grieving is inevitable and expected. Approaching your grief with compassion for the life experiences that led you to grieve your way can be essential in avoiding the loneliness of grief and finding acceptance over time.
Teen Grief Intensive: Summer 2026
About the Group
Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, 3-6pm Daily Location: Healgood Counseling Center, 5840 Balcones Drive, Ste 200, Austin, TX 78731
This 4-Day Summer Intensive provides an entry point for High Schoolers (ages 14-18) who have experienced a significant loss, such as the loss of a parent, guardian, or sibling. Over the course of 4, 3-hour sessions, participants will be led through an opportunity to connect to their grief at their own speed and in their own unique way. Since connection is key to breaking down the silence and stigma that can accompany death, each participant will have an opportunity to share their unique grief story. To ensure adequate processing and an opportunity for deep connection, the group will remain small, no more than 6 participants.
Groups will focus on building support and validation around each participant's experience. The intensive will begin with a live interaction with an adult who experienced the loss of a parent and sibling as a child. An opportunity to hear a grief story and ask questions. Some brief psychoeducation about the experience of grief, as well as building a foundational vocabulary of feelings to describe their grief journey, will set the stage for identifying communication skills, coping strategies, and incorporating ways they honor their loss. At the close of the group, participants will have something to share with a parent, guardian or family member based on their level of comfort and desire to share.
I'll share any clinical recommendations after the group ends to ensure each participant has the support they need to continue their grief journey. In addition, each participant will be eligible to participate in future weekly grief groups.
Each participant will be met where they are with the freedom to opt out of any activity that proves too emotionally vulnerable, while remaining included and supported by the group.
Goals of the Intensive
Over the course of 4 days, participants will:
Develop their grief story through reflection, processing, and a practice of self-compassion.
Examine strategies for processing the complexity of grief by exploring feelings, aspects of life that have changed since the death of a loved one, and experiences with peers.
Use writing and creative expression to explore and process thoughts and feelings. A variety of modalities will invite each participant to engage in emotional reflection while being supported and inspired.
Coping strategies for communicating with peers and adults, self-care, and overall emotional resilience will be identified by each participant.
Develop ways to remember and honor their loved one, as well as their grief journey.
Admission & Fees
Admission to the summer grief intensive will require a consultation with a parent and guardian, as well as a short call with the participant. I will determine if participants are a good fit for the group based on a variety of clinical factors. If participants are not found to be a fit for the summer intensive, referrals and resources will be provided. There will be ongoing teen grief groups in a weekly meeting format starting in Fall 2026.
Participants will need to ensure attendance at all 4 meetings throughout the week.
Summer Intensive Fee is $600
This includes an initial 40-minute intake consultation with a parent or guardian and a brief connect with the teen participant.
12 Hours of group over 4 days.
Take-home reflection materials and remembrances.
Community Pricing Available for up to 2 participants. Please inquire.