At EricsHouse, the grief companioning model is the heartbeat of how we support our members. Unlike traditional clinical models that may focus on "treating" symptoms or "fixing" a problem, our approach—rooted in the teachings of Dr. Alan Wolfelt—views grief as a natural, healthy, and spiritual journey.
Here is a breakdown of what makes grief companioning at EricsHouse unique:
Presence Over Practice
Companioning is about "being" rather than "doing." Instead of acting as experts who lead a member toward a specific goal, our companions walk alongside the bereaved. It is based on the idea of being a witness to someone else's pain without trying to take it away or offer unsolicited advice.
The Eleven Tenets of Companioning
Our facilitators follow a specific set of principles that shift the focus from the head to the heart. Key tenets include:
- Honoring the Spirit: We recognize that grief is not just a psychological process, but a spiritual one.
- Listening with the Heart: We focus on empathetic listening rather than analyzing or diagnosing.
- Being Still: We value the power of silence and give members the space to sit with their emotions without the pressure to speak.
- Walking Alongside: We do not lead or follow; we stay present in the "wilderness" of the member's grief.
Peer-Based Wisdom
Many of our companions have personally navigated the "complex grief" associated with suicide or substance use loss. This shared lived experience creates a foundation of trust and safety, allowing the mourner to feel truly understood by someone who knows the weight of these specific types of loss.
Integrative Healing
Companioning at EricsHouse often bridges the gap between traditional support and holistic care. This includes:
- Storytelling: Encouraging members to share the narrative of their loss as many times as they need.
- Creative Expression: Utilizing art, music, or journaling to help move grief from the inside out.
- The Six Essential Needs of Mourning: Helping mourners navigate the milestones of their journey, from acknowledging the reality of the death to developing a new self-identity.
How Companioning Differs from Counseling
While counseling often seeks to resolve "disorders," companioning focuses on the normalcy of the mourning process. It is a safe, non-judgmental space where there are no "stages" to pass or "timelines" to meet—only a commitment to honoring the love and the loss.
