a supportive community where individuals gather to share their experiences, find solace, and heal together
FALL CIRCLES STARTING SEPTEMBER 11 and 12
Grief & Loss Circles
Losing a loved one or experiencing any form of profound loss can be an incredibly isolating and overwhelming journey.
It is during these times that the power of connection and empathy becomes truly invaluable. Our Grief and Loss Circle aims to create a safe space where individuals can come together to share their stories, emotions, and thoughts, and receive support from others who understand firsthand the complexities of grief.
In our circle, you will find a compassionate and understanding community where each member’s unique grief journey is honored and respected. Whether you are grieving the loss of a family member, friend, beloved pet, or even a significant life change, we believe that coming together can help ease the burden of grief and foster healing.
“This welcoming Circle offered insights that individual therapy couldn’t. I got more out of ten weeks in the Circle than a whole year in therapy. Thank you!”
- CIRCLE PARTICIPANT
“This ten-week series was truly transformative and an experience I will continue to cherish as a life-changing and healing process...”
-CIRCLE PARTICIPANT
“There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep and still be counted as warriors.”
― Adrienne Rich
FAQs
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A Circle is a relational practice used by indigenous people throughout the world to bring a group or community together to explore important life events from celebrations to conflicts or grief and loss. Research has shown that people benefit from being part of a community that is facing the same or similar life experiences. This work is based upon the idea that individuals and communities can flourish and achieve what matters most to them when they come together to explore the challenges they face. Using a circle in response to life’s challenges can be a powerful way to promote and support healing.
Reasons people participate in circles: loss or grief, divorce, a rift in family relationships, retirement, a new stage of life...
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An expert moderator sets a structure for the group so that insight and collective wisdom can be safely, confidentially, and respectfully shared. Circles build connections, highlight wisdom, and foster growth and healing.
Circles are 1.5 hours per week for 10 weeks.
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Our Circles are intimate with five to eight seats per circle.
You don’t have to
journey alone.
“Larey and Ricka’s Grief Circle was an incredible experience for me.
This group met me where I was with kindness, patience, and grace. I learned so much about loss, grief, and about myself. I felt held and supported every week by Larey and Ricka and by the presence and vulnerability of the other members of the group. I’m so grateful to this group and would strongly recommend it; It really is a transformative and necessary experience. ”
- CIRCLE PARTICIPANT
"The grief and loss circle created a safe space to listen, to be curious, be open to a new awareness, and to acknowledge the human experience. It not only created a weekly pause, but a collective pause in my life. It has been a month since the group ended and I am pausing. Thinking about things differently is assisting me with releasing some of my traditional reactions and emotions. It feels strange to notice you are changing instead of "letting it happen". I encourage you to know there are other brave women (people) who are willing to be vulnerable and share one piece of their story."
- CIRCLE PARTICIPANT
“There's a Mary Oliver quote that says, ‘Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.’ The Grief and Loss Circle helped me to begin to understand the potential for the box full of darkness to be a gift. Thank you to Larey and Ricka and all of my group, for helping me begin to unwrap this exceedingly well wrapped gift."
- CIRCLE PARTICIPANT
"The experience of being in Circle with Larey and Ricka was transformative for me. In their wise and loving hands, I processed an important loss and expanded my view of the ways loss are expressed and experienced. It was a safe space to explore, go deep, and heal."
- CIRCLE PARTICIPANT
Loss and Grief Circle
We welcome you to our compassionate, open-hearted gathering, a space to express your feelings, connect with others, and receive support.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: 10 Wednesday Meetings from 2:30 - 4pm CST
Dates: September 11 - November 13
With with Larey Swanson MD, NBC-HWC and Wendy Williams NBC-HWC
Loss and Grief Circle
Our Circle fosters a safe and nurturing environment where participants can share their stories free from judgement and be witnessed and supported.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: 12 Thursday Meetings from 3:00-4:30pm CST
Dates: Starting September 12 (skipping Thanksgiving week)
Limited partial scholarships available
We believe that community is going to be the way of healing. We recognize that financial barriers are real and that community shouldn't be "pay to play". If a different price point is necessary, we will find a way to make that work. Contact Larey at larey@achievehealthandwellnesscoaching.com for more information.
“Ricka & Larey made the Grief & Loss Circle a remarkable and safe space to explore and reimagine the role grief and loss play in my life.
I knew I had “grief work” to do, but didn’t know how to go about it. They made a wide path for each participant to bring their own story and gave ample opportunity for both listening and speaking so that each one of us, in our own way, could do the healing work that was needed. This ten-week series was truly transformative and an experience I will continue to cherish as a life-changing and healing process. My thanks to both of you!”