Grief and Loss Circles

INTRODUCTION:
At your Image Reborn retreat, we hope we helped you feel safe, secure, and loved. While we often spend many moments of the weekend deep belly laughing together, we also hold space for a lot of tears. If you attended your retreat within the last few years, you likely participated in a grief circle led by one of our incredible, experienced grief facilitators. This is because we are big believers in the power of grief-tending and have witnessed how sharing grief in community opens us up for deeper connections - to ourselves and to others. It can also open our hearts to experience profound gratitude and joy. 

WHY NOW:
Following your retreat, you may begin to notice a desire to tap back into this inner wisdom and deep connection you gleaned from reflecting on and sharing your grief in such a safe, sacred place. New in 2024, Image Reborn is now offering a monthly, virtual “Grief and Loss Circle” to help you continue this practice of honoring and releasing emotions within a community who already understands and supports you.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
We will start each session with a self-check in for your personal reflection. How are you feeling in this moment? No grief or joy is too big or too small. If nothing comes up for you, that is also completely fine. No intention is needed other than the desire to be present and supportive of yourself and others. You may choose to share, or you may choose to only listen. At the end of the session, you will be invited to share your name and contact info with the group, if you choose to do so.

WHAT THIS CIRCLE IS NOT:
This is not a therapy session. It is not a place to placate, fix, or offer feedback or advice to any other participant. 

WHEN AND WHERE:
The first Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 pm MT via Zoom. Please choose a cozy space for yourself where you feel comfortable and are able to be present and free of distractions.

WHO WILL FACILITATE:
Our beautiful, experienced team of grief facilitators each has her own way of guiding the group through a process of honoring grief and then releasing it. Here is a closer look at each of the facilitators leading this series, followed by a schedule of sessions to be offered this year.

Mindy Relyea
Julia Moench-Parent
Tara Pennington

Tara Pennington will be facilitating the circle on February 1st:
Tara M. Pennington holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University and was a double major at the University of Utah with degrees in Psychology as well as Human Development & Family Studies. In addition to her therapy practice, Tara has also spent the past 20 years  aiding and developing programs for families who have children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.