Papillon, the Center for Loss and Transition, Announces Good Grief for Teens Beginning March 19th

Top Quote Just Announced! The next session begins March 19th, continuing four consecutive Thursdays, from 6-7:30 p.m. Dinner is provided for the children. End Quote
  • Salinas, CA (1888PressRelease) February 19, 2015 - Children experience reactions to grief even before they have words to describe their feelings. Papillon, the Center for Loss and Transition, is a one-of-a-kind not-for-profit organization in Monterey, dedicated to providing high quality, comprehensive professional services to those experiencing loss and bereavement - especially children. It is the organization's goal to help create healthier families and healthier communities through creating a loving fellowship surrounding those who are suffering.

    Children who are supported in their grief learn valuable skills that can sustain them as they grow and develop. Toward that end, Papillon launched Good Grief for Kids and Good Grief for Teens, age-based psycho-education programs designed to let kids know they are not alone, to give their grief a voice through play, art and storytelling and to support the adults who care for them.

    Professional therapists with expertise and experience in childhood grief lead each session. The next session begins March 19th, continuing four consecutive Thursdays, from 6-7:30 p.m. Dinner is provided for the children. Registration is required either online at www.papillon-center.org or by phone at (831) 320-1188.

    Other Papillon bereavement programs include: Drop-in Bereavement Discussion Group; Riding the Waves of Grief: How do I do this?; and Loss of a Child Grief Support Group. Services that will be added in 2015 include: Pet Bereavement Services; Kids Camp; Anticipatory Grief Support Group; and Stillborn and Miscarriage Death.
    Papillon's services focus not only on the immediate grief, but they revisit those in need at different stages of the grieving process. In short, Papillon is always present as a community touchstone.

    In the coming months and years, Papillon hopes to expand its program, and eventually move into a house complete with a kitchen, a dining room and a central communal space. Negotiating grief in the presence of food and fellowship will be an important element at Papillon - and teaching suddenly single grievers how to cook meals for one will also be a future focus.

    Papillon's key staff members include Helen Grady MA, MFT, MBA
Board Member and Facilitator. Grady is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Master Executive and Life Coach. In practice since 1995, she has expertise in grief and loss, life transitions, parenting issues, stress management, crisis intervention and communication skills. She originally created and implemented Good Grief for Kids, a children's bereavement program, for Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. In 2011, Grady's husband died of cancer, so she brings to Papillon her personal experience and a compassionate presence.

    Joy Smith (RN, MSN
Board Member and Facilitator) is an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist with 35 years of experience educating and coaching people with cancer and their families. Most recently, she has worked as the Oncology Nurse Educator at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and was instrumental in establishing the Palliative Medicine Service in addition to Cancer Center professional and patient programs.

    Smith brings to Papillon her commitment and expertise in providing high quality comprehensive services and educational programs regarding loss and bereavement.

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