Groups

Group therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves a small, carefully facilitated group of individuals who meet regularly to explore shared concerns, emotions, and goals. Led by an experienced therapist, group members provide mutual support, share insights, and learn from each other’s experiences. Group therapy can offer a unique opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment on your journey to healing.

Is Group Therapy Right for You? Group therapy is suitable for a wide range of individuals seeking support and personal growth. It can be particularly beneficial for those who value connecting with others, learning from diverse perspectives, and participating in a structured and supportive environment.

GRIEF TENDING GROUP

“Where there is sorrow, there is holy ground.”
-Oscar Wilde

DETAILS

18 yrs.+ $50 per session, paid in full at registration. Sliding scale financial assistance available

October 10th, November 14th, 2024
5:00-6:30pm

Facilitated by: Gia Bedell, AMFT
You are warmly invited to join us for a gathering of people cocreating a space where grief is welcomed and can move through, making room for profound compassion as it does.

Please come-as-you-are, with no pressure as to how you express grief or not. Grief does not show up on demand. You may weep, you may be a quiet witness to others, you may be numb, you may be full of outrage, you may be surprised.

However you come, your presence is valued and will be met with respect and never with unsolicited advice. All that is required is your humanity and your willingness to be present and to bear witness with compassion. You are welcome just as you are.

The truth is that none of us escape living in this world without experiencing grief.

Creating spaces to grieve in a culture that is largely devoid of public grieving is necessary if we are to heal and truly know our capacity to love within the reality of loss.

One of the most commonly reported feelings of those grieving is a feeling of loneliness. Feeling such an immense weight of sadness has an isolating effect on individuals. 

When we process our grief, we often become healthier and more resilient versions of ourselves. 

Finding a community to support you in this work is essential to cultivating the capacity to keep our hearts open and permeable to beauty and resilient to despair. 

Through grief, we are all on common ground and can engage with the universality of our human experience. 

Our time together will include

Authentic conversation and compassionate listening.

Poetry

  • Grounding and gentle somatic movement practices
  • A weekly discussion and exploration topic
  • Short writing prompts with invitation to share if desired
  • Offerings of ways to engage with grief outside of group between sessions

‘The Wild Edge of Sorrow’
by Francis Weller

  • Highly recommended as a companion to this group work, not a requirement
  • We will be walking through the landscape of grief with the vision and offerings of Francis Weller

N. S. LEE

Retired Program Manager, Kaiser Permanente

Affiliations:

  • Project Management Institute

BRITTANY DOYLE RILEY

Trusts & Estates Attorney, Doyle Quane

Affiliations:

    • State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
    • East Bay Trusts & Estates Lawyers, Member
    • Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors

MIA LEONDAKIS

Former Vice President of Transformation at ServiceNow and VMware

Affiliations:

  • Former Board of Directors, Fostering Wishes
  • Thrift Station

ROBERT COMBS

Real Estate Advisor, Compass

Affiliations:

  • Town of Danville Planning Commissioner
  • Board Member, Leadership San Ramon Valley
  • President, Danville Rotary, Town of Danville Design Review Board Member
  • Board of Directors
  • League of California Cities, California State University at Chico Alumni Board of Directors
  • Parent Advisory Council
  • CSU
  • Past President

MICHAEL COPELAND

Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield

Affiliations:

  • San Ramon Valley Thunderbirds
  • San Ramon Valley Girls’ Athletic League Softball
  • Contributor to Alive Magazine

MARK DAVIS

Tri- Counties Bank- Senior Vice-President

Affiliations:

  • American Heart Association
  • United Way
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • St. Anthony’s San Francisco
  • San Francisco and Sacramento Food Banks
  • Sacred Heart Community
  • Past Board Member California Symphony
  • Past

JENISE FALK

Retired San Ramon Valley Unified School District Principal

Affiliations:

  • President of the Friends of Discovery(Thrift Station)
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association
  • San Ramon Valley Mental Health Advisory Council.

NEWELL ARNERICH

Town of Danville, Town Council Member, AD Architects, Inc., President & Co-founder

Affiliations:

  • Leadership San Ramon Valley
  • Board Member & Past President
  • Danville-Sycamore Valley Rotary Club- Member & Past President
  • AIA
  • American Institute of Architects
  • NACRB
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Board
  • Danville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • San Ramon Valley Mental Health Advisory Council.

KATHY CHIVERTON

Retired Executive Director Discovery Counseling Center

Affiliations:

  • Leadership San Ramon Valley Board of Directors
  • Rotary Club of Danville
  • Contra Costa County Measure X Community Advisory Board Member

MARIE HALL

  • Licensed Social Worker; Retired Clinical Director
  • St. Anne’s Catholic Church

Affiliation:

  • Friends of Discovery

MITCHELL HOPSON

Vice-President of Finance, Zearn

Affiliations:

  • Diablo Black Men’s Group (past Treasurer)
  • San Ramon Valley Diversity Coalition (founding member)
  • Leadership San Ramon Valley
  • Board of Directors
  • Youth sports coach

DAVID KRAVITZ

Affiliations:

  • Director of Student Services
  • San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Claire Humphrey

Retired Pediatrician: Valley Community Health Center and Blackhawk Medical Group

Affiliations:

  • Marriage Mentor Community Presbyterian Church
  • Spiritual Mentor CityTeam Oakland

SCOTT LUCIA

Wealth Management at Andrews, Lucia Wealth Management LLC

Affiliation:

  • Tassajara Valley Little League

ANDY LI

Board Member, Contra Costa Community College District

Affiliations:

  • President
  • Civic Leadership USA
  • President
  • API Coalition, Board of Directors
  • Leadership San Ramon Valley
  • Steering Committee
  • San Ramon Valley Diversity Coalition
  • Rotary Club of Dougherty Valley/San Ramon

NEAL MITCHELL

Community Volunteer

Affiliations:

  • Hall of Fame Board Member Animal Rescue Foundation
  • Board Member Love for Margot Foundation
  • Past Board Member Mercator Medical Systems
  • Past Board Member Injoy Media Corporation

NISHI MOONKA

Chief of Staff/Head of Purpose and Culture at Blue Beyond Consulting

Affiliations:

  • Quail Run Learning Fund Vice President
  • PTA

SARAH NIX

Attorney, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law By the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Affiliations:

  • Past President, Board of Diablo Valley of Estate Planning
  • Iron Horse Mother’s Club
  • AAUW, Volunteer St. Isidore’s Parish
  • East Bay Trust &amp, Estate Lawyers

JILL PURCELL

Owner Purcell International – Food Importing Business

Affiliations:

  • San Ramon Valley YMCA- Past Board Member
  • Diablo Homeowner’s Association- Past Secretary
  • Dorris-Eaton School-Past PTA President
  • Green Valley School and Monte Vista High School- Past PTSA Member

PAT WILSON

Retired San Ramon Valley Unified School District Educator

Affiliations:

  • Sons in Retirement (SIRS)
  • 100 Club of Contra Costa County
  • Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) Sponsor Program
  • San Ramon Valley Mental Health Advisory Council.

MARY VERSTRAETE

Retired from Banking

Affiliations:

  • Member of the Friends of Discovery
  • Thrift Station

GARY RIELE

Affiliations:

  • Principal
  • Riele Commercial Real Estate

ANN WILLOUGHBY

Retired Chief of Staff, University of California Office of the National Laboratories

Affiliations:

  • Treasurer Friends of Discovery Board (Thrift Station)
  • Quest Science Center Advisory Board
  • Livermore Lab Foundation
  • Expanding Your Horizons
  • Agape Village Foster Family Agency
  • American Association of University Women