ABSTRACT
A support group is often one of the few places where bereaved individuals can speak freely of their pain, grief, and loss and share with others who understand their loss. Group sharing has been found helpful for parents suffering from a variety of losses: miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, infertility, and giving a child up for adoption. This chapter offers suggestions for the formation of a support group (placement of participants, selection of meeting place, provision of information for the leading of the group meetings and for follow-up). The purpose of the support group is to provide a "safe place" for people who have had a reproductive loss and are grieving. Applicants are screened to assess their readiness in doing group work and to refer those who would benefit more from individual counseling. The support group for individuals suffering reproductive loss can contribute to healing. The facilitators for the groups are health professionals who are familiar with group process.
