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Saint Barnabas Medical Center Offers New Livingston, N.J. -- There are times in our lives when the support and understanding of others is particularly helpful; the loss of a loved one is such a time. To help those who recently experienced the death of a loved one, The Pastoral Care Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center offers a bereavement support group, Growing Through Loss. Beginning September 20, 2007 and continuing through May 2008, Saint Barnabas will hold a series on eight-week sessions led by professional bereavement counselors. The groups are non-sectarian and participants can choose to attend meetings on Thursday mornings or Thursday evenings. While the hospital has always offered a bereavement support group, the program was recently remodeled through the support of a grant from the Congregational Church in Short Hills. “The generous gift allows us to meet the needs of more persons who are grieving utilizing trained professional facilitators. Instead of one group each season, we will be starting a new eight week group every six weeks. We are thrilled to be able to give this caring service to our community,” said Rev. Thomas L. Craig, Director of Pastoral Care at Saint Barnabas. Group leaders include Rev. Dr. Valerie Griffin, a Protestant Chaplain at the Medical Center, and Mr. Vincent Dopulos, a Chaplain to Buddhists at Saint Barnabas and a professional licensed counselor. During group sessions both will lead discussions addressing guilt vs. regret, anger, handling pain and sadness, communicating with friends and family, and adjusting to life changes. Participants in these groups must register and speak with a bereavement facilitator prior to the meetings to see if the groups would be suitable for their needs. Groups will meet in the Interfaith Chapel located at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, 94 Old Short Hills Road in Livingston. While the group is free, there is a nominal fee for parking at the Medical Center. For more information, including specific group times and dates, please call Saint Barnabas’s Pastoral Care Department at 973-322-5015. Date: August 10, 2007 Saint Barnabas Contact: Samantha Anton, 973-322-4922 [ top ] |
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