Services for individuals

Bereaved adults

Grief is an important stage in the death of a loved one.

The way of living it, the time frame and the phases are different for each person. For most people, it is a difficult and emotional time that requires a lot of energy. The support of a person specialized in grief allows one to go through this difficult period by paying attention to the emotions – pain, anger, guilt, fear – as well as to the resources.

Goals of the support process

Evaluate the person’s needs.
Listen and receive the reality of the person’s experience.
Encourage the expression of the experience related to the grief, without judgment and in complete confidentiality.
Allow the different emotions and feelings experienced to be recognized.
Helping to understand what a grief is and the importance of its uniqueness.

Fees

Free for Laval residents
$60 per session for people from elsewhere

Bereaved Teens

The death of a loved one, when adolescence is already a time of inner and outer change, can bring on a roller coaster of conflicting and painful feelings and emotions.

It is important to acknowledge the symptoms of grief and to express the unique experiences of the teenager at this difficult time of life through music, games and words.

Goals of the support program

To allow the adolescent to express his or her experiences without judgment and in complete confidentiality
To allow the acceptance of the different emotions and feelings experienced.
To help understand what grief is and the importance of its uniqueness.
To give tools to facilitate the experience.

Confidentiality and parental signature

The sessions are confidential unless there is a potential danger to the health of the adolescent.
The signature of the parent or legal guardian is required before the first session begins.

Fees:

Free for Laval residents
$60 per session for people from elsewhere

Bereaved children

Children also experience grief, and it can be difficult to support them.

In order not to add to their parent’s grief, they may keep their pain inside. Just because they seem to be doing well on the outside doesn’t mean they don’t need to express their emotions. They also need to have their questions answered honestly, of course, according to their age and ability to understand. We work as a team with the parents who are involved at different stages of the sessions.

The first session begins with the parent or guardian and the child, and then the support continues between the counselor and the child.

Sessions with the parent or guardian happen at different times during the support.

Goals of the support program

To allow the child to express his or her experience through words, drawings and games.
To help the child put into words what he/she is experiencing in his/her heart and body when faced with the loss of a loved one.
To share what they don’t dare to say, with a specialized counsellor.

Confidentiality and signature of the parents

The sessions are confidential unless there is a potential danger to the child’s health or the child gives us permission.
The signature of the parent or legal guardian is required before the first session begins.

Fees:

Free for Laval residents
$60 per session for people from elsewhere

Bereaved Families

Bereaved families are going through a challenging time.

Each member experiences grief in his or her own way and the family dynamic can be affected. Sessions for bereaved families encourage the expression of each member, the sharing of a reality experienced differently and a better understanding of the reality of the other members of the family.

Goals of the support program

To encourage the expression of emotions and fears of each member.
To encourage listening and being open to the different ways of experiencing grief.
To establish a dynamic of communication based on respect for differences.

Fees:

Free for Laval residents
$60 per session for people from elsewhere

Children who have a loved one with a serious illness

Children who have a seriously ill family member are going through a troubled and difficult time.

Even if they seem to be doing well, they may be suffering silently. Support with a specialized counsellor allows them to express their emotions, ask questions and obtain clear answers, according to their ability to understand. We work as a team with the parents who are involved at different stages of the sessions.

The first session begins with the parent or guardian and the child, and then the support continues between the counselor and the child.

Sessions with the parent or guardian occur at different times during the support process.

Goals of the support program

To offer a place where children can express their experiences in complete confidentiality, through words, drawings and games.
To help children put into words what they are experiencing in their hearts and bodies in the face of the anticipated loss of a loved one.
To break the isolation and allow the different emotions and feelings experienced to be welcomed.
To share what they do not dare to say to those around them, with a specialized counsellor.
To propose tools.
To prevent the negative impacts of grief on children.

Confidentiality and parent’s signature

The sessions are confidential unless there is a potential danger to the child’s health or the child gives us permission.
The signature of the parent or legal guardian is required before the first session begins.

Fees:

Free for Laval residents
$60 per session for people from elsewhere

Caregivers

People who are close to a person with an advanced illness must also remain sensitive to their needs.

At first, the caregiver needs to be supported and listened to in order to help the person being cared for. Then, when the bereavement occurs, the process of grieving and learning to live again begins. This period is called the post-care period.

Goals of the support program

To offer the caregiver support, attention and tools to enable him/her to support the caregiver according to his/her wishes.
To encourage the caregiver to develop the attitudes necessary to prepare for the grieving period
To allow the acceptance of the different emotions and feelings experienced.
To listen to and receive the reality of one’s experience.
To encourage the expression of experiences related to the grieving process, without judgment and in complete confidentiality.
To help understand what a grief is and the importance of its uniqueness.
To propose tools to facilitate the experience.

Fees

Free for Laval residents
$60 per session for people from elsewhere

People at the end of their life

Our support services for people at the end of their life are intended for people who wish to share their reality and express their experiences.

Frequency and location of sessions

The sessions are held at home, at the long-term care facility (CHSLD), at the Cité de la Santé or at the Laval palliative care center. The frequency of sessions may vary depending on the needs of the person at the end of their life and the availability of volunteers.

The goals of the support program

To offer the person at the end of their life the possibility of being listened to supported in his or her experience, while offering a respectful and warm presence.
To share fears and anxieties in order to come to terms with reality.

Fees

This service is free of charge and is offered only to Laval residents.

Support group for bereaved adults

After at least one session with a LumiVie counsellor, you can participate in a grief support group led by a counsellor specialized in grief.

These groups are open to all men and women who are experiencing grief.

IMPORTANT: This is an 11-week consecutive commitment for both the individual and the group. Group sessions are confidential.

Goals of the support group sessions

To express the different emotions experienced following the death of a loved one in a warm, trusting, non-judgmental and confidential atmosphere in the presence of a specialized counsellor.
To share experiences in the presence of other bereaved people.
To encourage mutual support among bereaved persons in the same group.
To identify certain coping strategies.
To learn how to grow through this experience while respecting one’s personal rhythm.
To help the bereaved person find a new balance.
To help the bereaved person continue on his or her path without the presence of the other person.

Program

11 sessions of 3 hours, once a week with a grief specialist.

Fees for the program of 11 sessions of 3 hours each

$100 for residents of Laval
$130 for people from elsewhere

Services for individuals

Info-Social 811

Listening lines

Help organizations