Having specialized groups at every stage of the loss journey is a key part of our mission. Our groups are designed so that you can access what resonates most for you in this current season of your life. What resonates now may change as your journey does. No matter where you are on the loss journey, there is a group support option for you.
Please note: all groups are FREE to attend and are affirming and trauma informed spaces. Partners are encouraged to join all groups.
Initial Grief
Our initial grief groups are designed to help you process grief. You are welcome to attend these groups in the early days of loss as well as come back to them during the days and months when your grief is heavier to carry. These groups are all professionally facilitated and peer-driven.
TFMR Support Groups
These groups are designed to support the unique journeys of families who have experienced loss through Termination for Medical Reasons (T.F.M.R). In this category, you will find a 6-week professionally facilitated group and a peer drop-in group.
Trying to Conceive
Our Trying to Conceive groups are designed to support you as you decide to try, or are actively trying to conceive after previous loss or fertility challenges. These groups are for those who are naturally trying to conceive or are trying to conceive through assisted fertility. You do not have to have experienced previous pregnancy infant loss to join.
Pregnant After Loss
Our Pregnant After Loss groups are for those who are currently pregnant after a previous loss. In this category, you will find a monthly group to support you as you navigate this new pregnancy.
Parenting Living Children Through Loss
Our Parenting Living Children Through Loss groups are for those with living children either before or after loss. There are two group options to choose from: Parenting Living Children Through Loss (formerly called “Grieving with living children”) and Parenting a Baby After Loss (formerly called “parent & baby”) group.
Childless Not by choice
These groups are a space for individuals and parents who do not have any living children, to connect with other parents and honour their unique parenting journey.
Partners in Loss
Our Partners in Loss groups are specifically for partners who are navigating loss. Partners deserve to be supported through loss and we are honoured to offer this space. Please note that partners are welcome to join all other groups. In this category, you will find two groups: Partners in Loss group and 2SLGBTQIA+ Parenting and Loss group
SIDS/SUDC Category
These groups are for families who have lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC).
Inclusive Groups
These groups are designed to support the diversity of communities that experience loss. In this category, you will find groups such as the South Asian Loss Group, 2SLGBTQIA+ Fertility and Loss Group, Post-Abortion Group.
Specialized Groups
In this category you will find professionally facilitated groups such as Art and Equine therapy.
Social Connection Groups
These groups are social connection groups. They are not support groups, they are groups that allow for connection in a social setting. In this category, you will find two groups: Social Connections for Adults Only and Social Connections, Family Friendly groups.
FAQ
What to expect at a PILSC peer support group
A hybrid group is a peer support group that gives you the option of attending in person at the PILSC office in downtown Calgary or attending virtually on Zoom for those living outside of Calgary and for anyone who prefers to attend virtually.
Your hybrid group will have a designated facilitator for those who attend in person and the second facilitator will be supporting the group on Zoom. We have technology called Meeting Owl that allows for a seamless interaction experience between those attending in person and those who attend virtually.
(PILSC hybrid group using Meeting Owl technology with in-person and virtual attendees)
To see a video of a Hybrid group, see this video
For our 8 Week Groups, we require that all participants attend either the first or second session and as many sessions as possible to allow for a safe and consistent group environment. That being said, life happens and let us know if you are unable to attend a session by emailing info@pilsc.org.
As with all of our services at PILSC, we believe in the importance of removing barriers to accessing services. All of our groups are offered at no cost to participants. For those who have the means and ability to help support the centre and our groups programming, we graciously accept donations: https://pilsc.org/donate-to-pilsc
All of our online groups are open for anyone to attend anywhere in the world. Our groups that meet in person will always have a hybrid option so you can always attend any group virtually, regardless of your physical location.
You will receive a confirmation email from the Jane booking system and the day before your group you will receive an email welcoming you to your group. For 8 week groups, there are forms to fill out in the Jane booking system so please fill those out as we require your mailing information to send you materials for your group.
Yes, you are welcome to attend a group more than once. Every time you attend will be different because so much is determined by the people in a group with you. We also have various monthly groups that you can try after an 8-week group to meet others who have experienced.
We are dedicated to supporting individuals of all faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.