Resources for bereavement caregivers

The Center for Loss is dedicated to the education and support of both the bereaved and bereavement caregivers.

We believe that those who companion the bereaved by walking with them as they journey in grief have a wondrous opportunity: to help others embrace and grow through grief, and to lead fuller, more deeply-lived lives themselves because of this important work.

Our training seminars for bereavement caregivers are known worldwide. Taught by Dr. Wolfelt, the classes provide in-depth information as well as an opportunity to learn from other caregivers in a beautiful setting.

COMPANIONING
vs.
TREATING

Dr. Wolfelt's Guiding Model for Counseling the Bereaved

The word "treat" comes from the Latin root word "tractare," which means "to drag." On the other hand, the word "companion," when broken down into its original Latin roots, means "messmate": com for "with" and pan for "bread." Someone you would share a meal with, a friend, an equal. I have taken liberties with the noun "companion" and made it into the verb "companioning" because it so well captures the type of counseling relationship I advocate.

More specifically, for me...

Companioning is about honoring the spirit; it is not about focusing on the intellect.

Companioning is about curiosity; it is not about expertise.

Companioning is about learning from others; it is not about leading.

Companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading.

Companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.

Companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence; it is not about filling every painful moment with words.

Companioning is about listening with the heart; it is not about analyzing with the head.

Companioning is about bearing witness to the struggles of others; it is not about directing those struggles.

Companioning is about being present to another person's pain; it is not about taking away the pain.

Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion; it is not about imposing order and logic.

Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.