Moms who are caregivers ...

We know it's hard.

Is Caregiver Grief for Moms a good fit?

This small group program could be for you if:

You are mom to an incredible, wonderful, medically complex kid.
You are continuously confronted with the stress of advocating for your child within medical systems, trying to find specialists and providers who will listen and help you help your child.
You are craving connection with others, but you do not have time to meet people - or if you do, they don't know how to talk with you about the realities of your life.
You have been curious about group support, but you know that you do not have time for a lot of homework, or a long-term program.
You know that you are grieving. You're not sure what you can do about it.

So, what is Caregiver Grief for Moms?

Caregiver grief is unique, because it is present before a loss has occurred. If you are a mom actively caring for a child with severe or complex medical concerns, you may be grieving hopes, dreams, plans, and beliefs - along with your pre-mom, pre-caregiver identity.

This eight-week, small group program (typically 4 - 6 individuals) is a container for your grief, and a conversation about the possibility of joy. As with many of our groups here at GLHS, this program is both trauma-informed, and mindfulness-based. Over the course of these eight sessions, you will have the chance to learn techniques from existing evidence-based therapies and to explore which ones will work for you, in your unique caregiving situation.

In this program, you will learn:

What medical stress and vicarious traumatization look like,
What trauma-informed meditation is, and how to create a trauma-informed mindfulness practice plan,
How to honor what you grieve through community support and connection.

This program is not for you if:

You are not actively caregiving.
You desire a long-term, process-oriented group or strongly prefer individual therapy,
You currently have a strong mindfulness practice.

A note on that first point: We recognize that grief related to loss of a child needs its own special space and place. If you are mourning the loss of a child through miscarriage or death, we would still love to work with you individually. Please, do still reach out if you are experiencing maternal loss.

You feel like you've lost yourself. You know your kid needs you to find yourself.

This is an opportunity to make time for your grief so that you can make room for yourself. You will walk away from this experience understanding that you are not alone, that your grief matters, and so does your hope. Come create a community with other moms who are ready to work towards more vitality, joy, and connection.

What to Expect:

Week 1: Introductions and Definitions

Learn about medical stress, vicarious trauma, & triggers
Learn about different kinds of grief and grieving

Week 2: Mindful Grieving

Learn about trauma-informed mindfulness and meditation
Define self-responsiveness and radical self-care

Week 3: Grieving Safety and Trust

Understand fear and safety
Create a Safety & Coping Plan for Medical Stressors

Week 4: Grieving Justice and Fairness

Understand anger and empowerment
Create a Substitute Caregiver Plan

Week 5: Grieving Who I Was

Understand loneliness and intimacy
Become clear on your values

Week 6: Grieving Hopes, Dreams, & Plans

Understand shame, guilt, and strength
Complete a Strengths Assessment

Week 7: Opening the Door to Awe, Joy, and Wonder

Understand and allow joy
Create a Personalized Ritual for Joy

Week 8: Integration and Closing

Take time to review skills and progress
Learn about resources for ongoing support and connection

Other FAQs:

Who facilitates this program?

This program is led by Theresa Ruggiero, LCSW. Please see her About Page to learn more.

Where is this program held?

Caregiver Grief for Moms is held virtually via Zoom's HIPAA-compliant, healthcare version. At the time of sessions, you'll simply click the link to join.

How much does this program cost?

The program consists of eight, 60-minute sessions offered on a sliding fee scale.

Pay It Forward Plan: $1000

Those who select the Pay It Forward Plan make it possible for the GLHS team to continue to offer the Caregiver Grief for Moms program, and not only that, but to offer it at a lower price to those in need. In addition, this plan helps us to develop new programming, and supports educational and activism initiatives! Paying it forward helps to improve healthcare for all.

Sustaining Plan: $550

Those who select the Sustaining Plan cover the costs of their participation in the Caregiver Grief for Moms program.

We accept payment amounts between $550 - $1000 as well. We are able to process payments electronically using a debit or credit card via Simple Practice secure software.

When is payment due?

Payment in full is due 24 hours prior to the start of the program. Please consult with our providers if a payment plan is needed.

Can I use insurance for this program?

You may be able to use insurance. There are a few steps involved if you plan to pursue this option. Theresa Ruggiero is not in network with any insurances. However, she will provide a Superbill which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Ginkgo Leaf Health Services is a direct pay practice, meaning that there is no guarantee that your insurance will reimburse for sessions.

Do I have to submit Superbills to my insurance?

No. You can choose whether or not to inform your insurance regarding your care.*

*Why this matters: In order for your insurance to reimburse for therapy sessions, therapists are required to provide the insurance company information regarding your sessions. For Caregiver Grief for Moms, this would include a diagnostic and group therapy code, as well as information about the dates of service and associated charges. If you don’t want your insurance company to have access to any information about your treatment, you can keep your care out-of-network and private.

What happens if I miss a session?

If you miss a session, you will be provided the materials from that session electronically. You will not be reimbursed for missed sessions.

When is this program happening?

The next cohort is anticipated to start on February 28, 2025. Sessions are held on Fridays at 1pm EST.

Who is a good candidate for this program?

Participation is first come, first serve, and open to moms ages 18+ who have at least one child experiencing significant medical problems. Moms of kids ages 21 and under are welcome to join.

Children with medical complexity have significant chronic health problems that often affect multiple organ systems. These conditions may require ongoing specialized care, and result in high healthcare needs. This definition fits for children with conditions like cancer, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, or children with multiple diagnoses that might not feel complex in isolation, but in combination are extremely stressful.

If you are actively parenting a child with a severe or complex medical condition and you are open to learning new skills, you are likely a good candidate! Our providers will meet with you for a brief, free consultation prior to the group to answer your questions and ensure fit.

We recommend but do not require that those who choose to attend our groups are also enrolled in individual therapy.

And finally ...How do I sign up?

Ready to participate?

Wonderful! Please set up a free, 15 - 20 minute individual consultation with a member of our team by pressing the button below! Please note that this may connect you with a team member other than Theresa. Our priority is to connect with you quickly so that you do not have to wait long for an appointment.

Additional Info & Next Steps

If you are currently in therapy, a member of the GLHS team will communicate with your therapist after you have signed a Release of Information Form, to coordinate care. Then, when the group starts, you will get reminder emails each week that include the Zoom link for you to join.

Schedule a Free Consult

I look forward to meeting you!

Not quite sure yet? You can still set up a free consultation with a member of our team to learn more and get your questions answered. All questions are welcome! The main priority is that you feel down in your bones that this is a positive, healthy step, for you.

In the meantime, you can subscribe to our email list for access to information about coping strategies that may help.

At this time, please also join our email list if you are interested in hearing about future offerings for individuals who identify as nonbinary or gender non-conforming, male, or trans.

Let’s Keep In Touch

Interested in receiving updates regarding GLHS programs?

Whether you're ready to join Caregiver Grief for Moms now or just thinking about it, please subscribe to our email list.

Joining gains you access to weekly emails about coping skills and resources, too!

Click Here to Subscribe!

Full disclosure: Subscribing allows you to keep in touch so that you can continue to hear about Ginkgo Leaf offerings, ways to cope and heal, and useful podcasts, books, programs, and other resources that could be of benefit if you or a loved one has experienced medical stress or trauma.

You can unsubscribe any time.