FAQ

General FAQs

How can play be supportive and helpful?

Play is a natural form of expression. A child uses various play activities and materials as tools to express his/her many different emotions and thoughts.

Is there a cost for attending groups at Healing House?

Services are provided at no cost to families. We rely on support from donations, grants and volunteers.

What does your child need from you during group?

We ask that an adult accompany children while they are participating in groups at Healing House. Other parents/caregivers provide support for each other in the adult group or you can enjoy quiet time on the front porch or lounge. Since grieving children experience separation anxiety, the children are allowed to “touch base” with you at any time, thus possibly interrupting the adult group. Children will need your attention and respect for the work they are doing during group.

What is a Facilitated Children's Grief Support Group?

A grief support group is made up of approximately 15 – 18 children, trained facilitators and a group director. The group provides the children a safe place in which to talk about and play out their thoughts and feelings about their losses. Children generally do more playing than talking because play is the natural language of children. Children tend to use play instead of words to represent their changing world.

What is the role of the Group Facilitators and Coordinators?

The facilitators are volunteers trained by Healing House to observe, listen and respond to grieving children. The group coordinator is a master’s level counselor or social worker who supervises the facilitators and children’s activities to assure that everyone is safe. Facilitators and coordinators do not provide therapy, but rather an environment where the children feel safe and able to work through thoughts and feelings.

What should children bring with them to Healing House?

Children should wear comfortable clothes that are subject to paint, play dough, glitter and other play materials. Children are permitted to bring “memory items” that they may want to share with other participants, and are not allowed to bring cell phones.

Where does the Support Group take place?

The Support Group takes place at Healing House which is designed to promote safe play and talk among the children and adults.

Where is the Healing House located?

160 South Beadle, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508 – right next door to Sugar and Spice Daycare.

Who benefits from coming to Healing House?

Healing House offers support groups for children ages 4 – 17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Adults also benefit through developing a support network with other adults.

Who is eligible to receive services at Healing House?

Children ages 4 – 17, who are in the process of or have experienced the death of someone in their life.

Why does facilitated play work?

Just as a child enjoys having the same story read several times, so the child replays various grief themes. With the help of the adult facilitators the child learns to:

Acknowledge the reality of death.
Experience the emotions, thoughts and behaviors associated with grief.
Adjust to living in a world in which the person who has died is absent.
Withdraw emotional energy from the person who died and reinvest it in other relationships.
Establish a relationship with the memory of the person who died.

FAQs for School-Based Groups

Does this program create liability for the school?

No. Healing House facilitators follow all mandated reporting laws, maintain liability insurance, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with your school board that clearly defines roles and responsibilities.

How do caregivers give consent for their child to participate?

Participation is voluntary and requires a signed guardian permission form. We provide the form and a caregiver information sheet for your school to distribute.

How is student privacy protected?

Groups are confidential. Personal details shared in group are not shared outside of the session, except in cases of safety concerns. We do not take photos or use student information publicly.

Who leads the groups, and are they qualified?

Healing House groups are led by trained professionals with experience in children’s grief support. All facilitators complete background checks and follow school safety protocols.

Will this overlap with what our School Counselors already do?

Healing House does not replace counseling services provided by your staff. Instead, we offer a peer-support model that complements school-based counseling. We coordinate directly with your Counselor or Social Worker before groups begin.

How much academic time will students miss?

Groups meet once a week for about 30 minutes, typically for 6–8 weeks. Scheduling is done in collaboration with your staff to minimize classroom disruption.

Where do groups take place?

Groups are usually held in a private space such as a counseling office, library, or other quiet room. We work with your team to secure an appropriate space.

What happens if a student becomes upset or discloses a safety concern?

Healing House follows your school’s crisis and safety protocols. Facilitators are trained in mandated reporting and immediately coordinate with your designated staff.

Will the school receive any feedback about the groups?

Yes. At the conclusion of each cycle, Healing House provides a short, aggregate summary that includes attendance and overall outcomes. No confidential personal details are shared.

What does this cost the school?

Nothing. Healing House provides the program, materials, and facilitators at no charge to schools.

How are students chosen for the group?

We rely on the school’s Counselors or Social Workers to recommend students who would benefit. Students are grouped by age and developmental stage to ensure the best peer experience.

How do you ensure cultural and family sensitivity?

Groups are designed to be inclusive and respectful of all family backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. Caregivers choose whether their child participates, and accommodations are made when needed.

Caregiver FAQs for School-Based Groups

Will this make my child feel worse?

What we say: Grief groups reduce isolation. Activities are gentle, age-appropriate, and students can pass on any activity. We never force sharing.

How is privacy & confidentiality handled?

What we say: Groups meet in a private space. Students’ stories stay in group. We share only general themes with caregivers—not personal details—unless safety is a concern. We follow all mandated-reporting laws.

Who is leading this support group—are they qualified?

What we say: Each group is facilitated by a trained Healing House clinician alongside the school’s Counselor or Social Worker. Staff are trained in children’s grief support and safety protocols.

Is this therapy? My child already has a counselor.

What we say: This is non-clinical peer support, not therapy. It complements outside counseling and can run alongside it.

Will my child have to miss class to attend the group?

What we say: Groups meet once weekly for ~30 minutes for six weeks, scheduled with the school to minimize academic disruption. Teachers are notified ahead of time.

What if my child is hesitant to participate?

What we say: Students can observe before participating and can opt out at any time. Caregivers can speak with the facilitator in advance about their child’s readiness or possible concerns.

Will my child be with kids in different grades?

What we say: Students are grouped by grade/age. We avoid graphic detail and keep sharing developmentally appropriate, with facilitator guidance.

What if my child comes home upset after group?

What we say: Big feelings can surface—that’s normal and temporary. We send caregivers a brief “support at home” tip sheet and are available for questions.

How much will it cost for my child to participate?

What we say: FREE for families and schools. Healing House provides all supplies and materials.

Will our family’s cultural beliefs about grief be taken into consideration?

What we say: We honor each family’s traditions, beliefs, and language around grief. Students are never asked to participate in activities that conflict with family values.

Will photos or identifying info ever be shared publicly?

What we say: No photos of students or identifying information is shared publicly.

What if my child has special needs and requires accommodations?

What we say: We collaborate with the school to accommodate learning, sensory, or communication needs so students can participate comfortably.

What if my child discloses something serious during group?

What we say: Facilitators are mandated reporters. If a safety concern arises, facilitators coordinate with school administration complying with school protocols.