Therapeutic Support Services
Alice House Hospice’s Therapuetic Support Service is dedicated to helping people live with loss. Our service is a specialist centre for Bereavement Counselling & Support and is open to children and young people in the Hartlepool and East Durham area.
About Grief
When someone close to you dies it is normal to grieve. Everyone’s grief is unique and coming to terms with the loss of someone you love can be very lonely and confusing. For many people the support of friends and relatives helps them to adjust but sometimes it can be difficult to find a way through the complexities of grief.
For further information about grief see the Facing Grief Leaflet in our Resources and Information Leaflets area of the website.
The Counselling & Support Service offers people:
- Counselling and support for children and young people – either individual or group work
- Support and guidance for schools
Children’s Bereavement Service
Children do not always have the words to express the range of thoughts and feelings they experience when grieving.
Our highly trained Children’s Counsellors have the appropriate experience to help children with grief and loss. This can be done through play and creative activities, using specialised resources which enable the child to feel relaxed and comfortable while addressing those important issues.
Referring People for Bereavement Support
Following a referral, a member of the Therapeutic Support Team will carry out an initial assessment to determine whether the service can help and what is the most appropriate form of support.
Referrals can be made by a GP or other health or social care professional involved with a particular individual; we also accept self-referrals. For children or young people, this could also be someone involved in their education.
For further information about this service please Contact Us or telephone a member of our Therapeutic Support Team on 01429 855550.
Family Support Projects
Life experiences can sometimes get in the way of us communicating effectively with each other. These services aim to break down barriers and build resilience in communicating more openly within families within a safe and therapeutic environment.
The Sue Stephenson Project
The Sue Stephenson Project is available to Children and Young People and their families where a main adult caregiver in the family has a chronic/debilitating long term physical health condition.
The Keystone Programme
This supportive and unique eight week, child and parent programme uses a holistic approach to improving relationships and communication alongside parent and child mindfulness based guided meditation to alleviate stress and anxieties.
Referring People to Family Support Projects
The Sue Stephenson project is a free service and referral can be made by a GP, Teacher or other Health or Social Care Professional/Agency involved with the family.
The Keystone Programme is a chargeable service and referrals can be made by schools, early help and social care.
For further information about these programmes please Contact Us or telephone a member of our Therapeutic Support Team on 01429 855550 or 01429 855543
