Current BRAVE grief-recovery support groups
FALL 2022 (open for registration)
COEURAGE: Post-abortion grief support group
The CoeurAge curriculum offers a secular reproductive loss and grief care method in which women and men of all ages are offered personal and confidential aid. They are encouraged to acknowledge their emotions and share their story, with the aim of coming to terms and gaining a sense of closure with the experience.
A WEEK BY WEEK OUTLINE
Safety and Security session
Acknowledgement of your loss
Share your story
What about abortion anyway?
Recognizing losses and unhealthy behaviours
Forgiveness
Exploring emotions through artwork
Healing
Helping others
*Number of participants: The group sessions could be tailored from 3 to 6 people maximum. It will be hosted by two facilitators who will be guiding the sessions.
Timing: One session per week for approximately 9 weeks. The duration of the sessions will be approx 1 1/2 hours, with some “homework” to do on your own time.
Eligibility: Depending on the grief care program, we offer group sessions for women only, for men only, for couples, and for family and friends who feel the need to process a reproductive loss. Laura, the BRAVE coordinator and CoeurAge facilitator will contact you to discuss.
FALL 2022 (open for registration!)
COEURAGE: miscarriage and infant loss grief support group
The CoeurAge curriculum offers a secular reproductive loss and grief care method in which women and men of all ages are offered personal and confidential aid. They are encouraged to acknowledge their emotions and share their story, with the aim of coming to terms and gaining a sense of closure with the experience.
A WEEK BY WEEK OUTLINE
Safety and Security session
Acknowledgement of your loss
Share your story of loss
Commit to Recovery
Identifying other losses and stress factors
Process the grief and pain
Closure
Remembrance and Memorializing
Helping others
*Number of participants: The group sessions could be tailored from 3 to 6 people maximum. It will be hosted by two facilitators who will be guiding the sessions.
Timing: One session per week for approximately 9 weeks. The duration of the sessions will be approx 1 1/2 hours, with some “homework” to do on your own time.
Eligibility: Depending on the grief care program, we offer group sessions for women only, for men only, for couples, and for family and friends who feel the need to process a reproductive loss. Laura, the BRAVE coordinator and CoeurAge facilitator will contact you to discuss.
coming soon!
COEURAGE: Post-adoption grief support group
The CoeurAge curriculum offers a secular reproductive loss and grief care method in which women and men of all ages are offered personal and confidential aid. They are encouraged to acknowledge their emotions and share their story, with the aim of coming to terms and gaining a sense of closure with the experience.
*This program is under development. Please contact us for individual support for the time-being.
LIMITATIONS OF SERVICE
BRAVE Reproductive Loss Support is coordinated by Laura Aguilar Albo, certified in Birth and Reproductive Trauma, and in Reproductive Grief Care Support. The BRAVE team at Options does not have academic degrees in mental health or counselling; therefore, the services offered are not intended as a substitute for professional counselling, therapy nor psychological care. External referral provided as needed.
BRAVE Reproductive Loss Support offers trauma-informed care through emotional and spiritual support (if desired), practical help, training and education, and information.
The reproductive grief care curricula offered through BRAVE provide structures in which guided conversations, peer support, and the allowing, accepting, and understanding of emotions can take place.
We recognize that not everybody suffers nor experiences grief or difficulties following their pregnancy choices or reproductive loss and that each experience is deeply personal. *We also recognize that a pregnancy choice of “parenting” can also represent loss (for support in your role as parent, please contact our team for further help).
Due to the sensitive nature in subject matter addressed through BRAVE, participants may be unintentionally exposed to stories and experiences as lived by other participants, which may cause discomfort.
BRAVE Reproductive Loss Support is a program of Options Resource and Pregnancy Center, an initiative of Montreal Youth Unlimited.