STAR for Grief Recovery
FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS
Personal Message from the Director
Why Take STAR
Your STAR Experience
The STAR Process
The Essence of STAR
What Graduates Say About STAR
The Value of a Personal Growth Retreat
STAR Staff
FOR THERAPISTS
Message from the Director
What Therapists Say About STAR
Inside the STAR Process
Why Therapists Choose STAR
STAR Staff
SPECIAL TOPICS
Addictions and Recovery
Attachment Disorder and Relationship Problems
Attacking Anxiety and Depression
Grief Recovery
Childhood Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
Grief
is a natural emotional reaction occurring in response to a loss.
Our society is in denial about death and loss, making the grieving
process
very difficult. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages
that people who are grieving go through:
- Denial
- Depression
- Bargaining
- Anger
- Acceptance
The progression through these stages is not necessarily orderly, and not everyone experiences all of these stages. The goal of grieving successfully is to experience the feelings of loss, sadness, anger, etc., and reach a stage of acceptance. Some go through just a few stages and reach acceptance, while others do not allow themselves to truly experience and work through their feelings. In the latter case, the person gets stuck; this is called unresolved or complicated bereavement, which usually leads to depression and anxiety.
STAR provides a safe environment for people to fully surrender to their process; they can go deeply into their grief and stay with it as long as they need to in order to get relief from the overwhelming feelings of sadness, anger, fear, and guilt. Our staff normalizes the process and educates the participant on what to expect as they go through the various stages. The staff is very helpful in identifying "stuck places" and supporting the individual working though those issues.
Current grief can be compounded by past experiences such as loss of a pet, financial status, or health, as well as deaths and divorce. During STAR, the participant is encouraged to allow themselves to grieve and express their feelings, whatever they may be. They will understand that what they are feeling is normal and necessary to express in order to reach acceptance of the loss. Allowing oneself to fully experience this process results in a deep healing.
For reading recommendations go to:
Grief Reading
FOR
FIRST-TIME VISITORS | FOR THERAPISTS
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS | ADVISORY BOARD
FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS | FOR THERAPISTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS | ADVISORY BOARD
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P.O. Box 516 Geyserville, CA 95441 (888) 857-STAR * (707) 857-3359 Fax: (707) 857-3764 E-mail: starfoundation@pobox.com |