“Grief is a painful and complex affair, and everyone has their own unique process in managing it,” says psychotherapist Theodora “Teddy” Sirota, who facilitates a new bereavement support group at JFS.

“It may feel a little different over time, but it never completely goes away,” she adds. “Even those with supportive friends and family can feel very alone and emotionally vulnerable. Often, these feelings arise without warning, triggered by life events or situations.”

Bereavement can, however, be made more bearable by connection to and support from others who are experiencing similar feelings and issues.

An experienced facilitator

Theodora “Teddy” Sirota, APRN, PhD, facilitates a new bereavement group at JFS.

A psychiatric APRN with a PhD in nursing research from New York University, Dr. Sirota volunteered to lead the support group, which meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons.

“I’m really a leader-member in the group, as I still grieve over the loss of my husband more than nine years ago,” she explains.

Dr. Sirota had a private psychotherapy practice on Riverside Drive in New York City for 35 years. A year after her own husband passed away, she relocated to West Hartford to lead the University of Saint Joseph’s nursing program. Today, Dr. Sirota teaches in the school’s graduate Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

“I wanted to get more involved with the community, and after a couple of conversations, I got a call from Jill Siegel at Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, who said ‘You belong at JFS!’” Dr. Sirota recalls. “Jill introduced me to (JFS Chief Operating Officer) Miriam Brander. We discussed the community’s need for a group like this, and the bereavement group was born.”

What to expect when you attend

The group is open-ended; participants come and go over time.

“Members are self-selecting,” Dr. Sirota says. “Some people drop in for one or two meetings; others attend regularly over months. Right now, we have a solid group of eight. We could expand to 12 or 14.”

There is a structure to the group, but Dr. Sirota says it’s subtle. “I’m a therapist; I have experience guiding conversations to ensure that all issues relevant to grief can be explored and everyone has a chance to participate.”

Participants tell Dr. Sirota how much they appreciate the support they’ve found. While the group itself is 100% confidential, some members choose to be in touch with each other externally.

The JFS bereavement group meets every Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite A, West Hartford. Anyone in need is welcome to attend; registration is required. Register online or contact JFS for more information at info@jfshartford.org or (860) 236-1927.