Questions About Common Ground Grief Support Groups

No. Common Ground provides peer-based grief support rather than individual therapy, family therapy or clinical counseling.

Our groups are facilitated by trained volunteers and coordinated by professional staff. When a child, teen or family may benefit from private therapy, we can provide information about grief-informed counseling resources.

Children and teens meet in groups based on age and developmental level. Meetings include opportunities to talk, listen and connect with peers who have experienced a similar loss.

Participants may also express their grief through art, music, play, sand play, movement, games and memory activities. No one is forced to talk or participate in an activity before they feel comfortable.

A support group for parents and primary caregivers meets at the same time as the children’s and teen groups.

This gives adults an opportunity to connect with other caregivers, better understand childhood grief and receive support as they navigate their own grief and their family’s changing needs.

Support groups meet every other week during evening hours. Regular attendance helps participants build trust, connection and emotional safety within their group.

Common Ground provides its grief support services to participating families at no cost.

As a nonprofit organization, Common Ground relies on donations, grants, foundations, corporate partners and community support to keep its programs accessible.

Families begin by completing a phone intake and attending an informational orientation.

Group availability may depend on the participant’s age, current enrollment and scheduling. Our team will explain current placement options during the intake process.

Orientation gives children, teens and caregivers an opportunity to visit Common Ground, tour the facility and learn how the program works.

Staff members answer questions and explain the expectations, structure and enrollment process. Attending orientation does not require a child or teen to join a group. We encourage families to include children and teens in the final decision.

A family may contact Common Ground whenever they feel ready.

There is no required waiting period. Every person and family experiences grief differently, and readiness for peer support can vary.

Common Ground’s groups are open-ended because grief does not follow a fixed timeline.

Participants may continue attending while the group remains helpful and appropriate for their needs. Once enrolled, families are expected to attend regularly and contact the Center when they need to miss a meeting.

The process includes four steps:

1. Call Common Ground at 732-606-7477 to complete a brief phone intake.
2. Schedule and attend a family orientation at the Center.
3. Review the program as a family and complete the enrollment forms.
4. Return the forms and speak with our team about the appropriate group placement.

Common Ground is not an emergency or crisis response provider.

Someone experiencing an immediate mental health or safety crisis should call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.