Expressive Arts for Grieving Children, Teens & Families
“Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve.” –Dr. Alan Wolfelt
Do you know a child or teen who is grieving the loss of someone they loved? Do you know a child or teen who is anticipating the death of someone they love? Pilgrims Hospice offers a unique program for children, teens and their families, that can help ensure a healthy healing journey.
The Expressive Arts for Grieving Children, Teens and Families Program was created in 2000 to meet the needs of Edmonton Area families who seek support for their bereavement experience. Services include support group settings, individual support, summer daycamps, and art and music therapies.
Bereaved children and teens that have experienced the death of a loved one are more at risk for psychological and behavioral difficulties than those that have not experienced such a loss. Helping a bereaved child or teen is the epitome of good preventive mental, physical and spiritual health care. Involvement in Expressive Arts programming provides children and teens and even their families with the necessary social sanction and permission to express their feelings. They find comfort and relief in knowing that others feel the way they do and that they are not alone.
Group settings are offered throughout the year, in two locations and at different times to accommodate busy family schedules. Counselling, which we like to call “supportive listening”, is available continually as well at both locations, and at different times.
The main location of the Expressive Arts for Grieving Children, Teens and Families Program is at the Pilgrims Hospice Society, located at 9808 148 Street in Edmonton. Our satellite location is the BriarPatch Family Life Education Centre, located at #100A – 50 Brentwood Boulevard on the south side of Sherwood Park. Please indicate which location you would prefer when registering for a group or requesting a counselling appointment.
Summer Day camps for children who are grieving the loss of someone they love. Participants range in age from 5 years up to 12 years. Families may self refer.
For information, or to register for groups, individual counselling, or summer day camp, please contact:
Cheryl Salter-Roberts, CCFE CBC
Manager, Expressive Arts for Grieving Children, Teens and Families
780.413.9801 ext.309