Grief Support
Who is support for?
What does support include?
Support Groups & Programs
Grief Support FAQs
Meet the Team
Grief Support Resources
What is Grief Support?
Grief is a natural, necessary, and highly personal experience unique to everyone. While grief does not follow a timeline, it does ease over time. Facing grief and working through it can result in newfound peace, strength, and purpose.
HopeWest Grief Support serves those experiencing anticipatory grief or the death of a loved one even if your loved one did not receive HopeWest care.
Grief Support
What is HopeWest Grief Support?
Grief is a natural, necessary, and highly personal experience unique to everyone. While grief does not follow a timeline, it does ease over time. Facing grief and working through it can result in newfound peace, strength, and purpose.
HopeWest Grief Support serves those experiencing anticipatory grief or the death of a loved one even if your loved one did not receive HopeWest care.
Who is support for? →
What does support include? →
Support Groups & Programs →
Grief Support FAQs →
Meet the Team →
Grief Support Resources →
What Can You Expect From Grief?
It is hard to always be conscious of the ways people cope when under stress and when facing loss. Often there is a sense of grief that comes long before a loss – in anticipation of the loss. We hope to help people understand that these emotions are common, and we encourage you to talk over some of these feelings with one of your HopeWest team members.
• Shock & denial
• Anger
• Distraction & detachment
• Role confusion
• Guilt & regret
• Grief does not follow a timeline, and support can be helpful at any stage.
Getting Started
Who is HopeWest Grief Support For?
HopeWest Grief Support is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Whether it is anticipatory grief, or learning to cope with a loss, our trained and caring staff is available to help surviving family and friends cope with their grief.
• Individuals who have lost a loved one, even if they were not in HopeWest care.
• Family members and caregivers
• Anyone experiencing emotional difficulty after a loss
• Individuals seeking community or guidance in the grieving process
When Should You Seek Grief Support?
It’s never too early or too late to discuss how the expertise and compassion of HopeWest Grief Support can help. Whether your loved one died 15 years ago or is currently experiencing a serious illness, it’s always the right time to reach out for support. Call us at (970) 257-2390 or fill out a contact form.
How Much Does Grief Support Cost?
Grief support is available at little to no cost. Families and loved ones of hospice patients in our care receive anticipatory grief support and bereavement services for up to 13 months after a death, provided at no cost. Community members who have not experienced the death of a loved one in HopeWest’s care can also receive our grief services. These services may be covered by insurance or offered on an income-based sliding scale, with financial assistance available for those who qualify. Bereavement groups are offered at no charge.
What Does Grief Support Include?
Through individual counseling, group counseling, and additional resources, HopeWest Grief Support serves those experiencing a serious illness, anticipatory grief, and the death of a loved one.
Individual & family counseling
Special grief counseling for children
Including grief camps, groups & individual counseling
Telehealth sessions for adults
Available for residents of Colorado
Grief Support Groups & Programs
HopeWest grief support services are open to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one. For more information about availability, please call (970) 257-2390.
Visit our online calendar for the latest support group information and schedules. Please note that not all support groups are listed on our calendar. If you have questions about a specific support group, please contact us for more information.
Delta County
For more information on Delta County groups, please call (970)-257-2390
or email AdultBereavement@HopeWestCO.org.
Individual & Family Counseling
Counseling sessions are available to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one or are connected to someone with a serious illness. Many of these services are free. Others are offered at a nominal fee on a sliding scale basis or are covered by insurance. Services are offered based on client preference, via Zoom or in-person.
Drop-in Grief Support Group
Any Type of Loss—Offered Monthly—Open Group
Our come-as-you-can opportunity for grieving folks to connect with others in an open, supportive environment, where attendees voice concerns, share memories and ask questions. Designed for flexibility – members can attend or not, as they need.
Mending Hearts Grief Support Group
Any Type of Loss—5-Week Closed Group—Registration Required
In the safety of a group and in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding, members talk about their feelings and concerns. As they share their experiences, members help each other work through their feelings and come to terms with the new realities of life. Mending Hearts is a community service of HopeWest. Anyone can attend this group free of charge.
Handling the Holidays
Open to the Community—Offered 2x a Year
The holidays can be a difficult time of year when grieving the death of a loved one. Handling the Holidays is open for anyone in our community grieving a loved one during the Holidays. We will come together and provide materials for those grieving to help them through this process while supporting one another during the holiday season. This program is open to all adults in our community who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Mesa County
For more information on Mesa County groups, please call (970)-257-2390
or email AdultBereavement@HopeWestCO.org.
Individual & Family Counseling
Counseling sessions are available to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one or are connected to someone with a serious illness. Many of these services are free. Others are offered at a nominal fee on a sliding scale basis or are covered by insurance. Services are offered based on client preference, via Zoom or in-person.
Drop-in Grief Support Group
Any Type of Loss—Offered 2x a Month—Open Group
Our come-as-you-can opportunity for grieving folks to connect with others in an open, supportive environment, where attendees voice concerns, share memories and ask questions. Designed for flexibility – members can attend or not, as they need.
Mending Hearts Grief Support Group
Any Type of Loss—10-Week Closed Group—Registration Required
In the safety of a group and in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding, members talk about their feelings and concerns. As they share their experiences, members help each other work through their feelings and come to terms with the new realities of life. Mending Hearts is a community service of HopeWest. Anyone can attend this group free of charge.
Men’s Support Group
For Men Who Are Grieving—Offered Monthly—Open Group
This group is aimed at providing a place for men to come and share their unique experiences and reactions to loss with other men. Group members will have the opportunity to open up about their experiences with loss, how society expects men to grieve, and gain new coping skills that will better serve them in their grief.
Spousal & Partner Loss Support Group
Offered 2x a Month—Open Group
In this group, those who have lost a spouse will share their grieving experience and gain the tools to help in their grief journey.
Art for the Grieving Heart
Any Type of Loss—6 Week Closed Group—Registration Required
In the company of others who understand the profound impact of loss, participants share their artistic creations, fostering a sense of connection and empathy. The group dynamic provides a supportive community where individuals can gain insights into their grief, find solace in shared experiences, and discover new coping mechanisms. Explore your emotions through art in a supportive space. No experience needed—just bring an open heart. Join us for a healing journey of self-discovery and connection. Together, we navigate grief through the transformative power of creativity.
Forget-Me-Not Family Group
6 Week Closed Group—Registration Required
A six week grief support group that children and family members attend together. The group, open to all ages, provides a safe and caring place to explore grief and its impact on the family. Children and teens will work in age-specific groups, and parents will have a separate group, allowing participants to connect with peers facing similar experiences. Dinner will be provided each week.
Forever in My Heart Support Group
Loss of Baby During Pregnancy or Shortly Thereafter
Forever in My Heart is a grief support group for parents and family members who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly thereafter. These 7-week, closed groups provide a healing curriculum in an atmosphere of support and care during your grief journey.
Wave of Light Ceremony
Honor Your Angel Baby on National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day—Oct. 15
Join us for a meaningful evening. The Wave of Light Ceremony will take place in the HopeWest Angel Garden. Candles will be provided, but you are welcome to bring a special candle of your own to light during the ceremony. The event will also feature a Memorial Wall where you can place photos, memories, or a personal message in remembrance. Snacks, refreshments, crafts, and information will be available throughout the evening. This event is free to attend. While registration is encouraged, it is not required.
Handling the Holidays
Open to the Community—Offered 2x a Year
The holidays can be a difficult time of year when grieving the death of a loved one. Handling the Holidays is open for anyone in our community grieving a loved one during the Holidays. We will come together and provide materials for those grieving to help them through this process while supporting one another during the holiday season. This program is open to all adults in our community who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Rio Blanco County
For more information on Meeker groups, please call (970)-257-2390
or email AdultBereavement@HopeWestCO.org.
Individual & Family Counseling
Counseling sessions are available to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one or are connected to someone with a serious illness. Many of these services are free. Others are offered at a nominal fee on a sliding scale basis or are covered by insurance. Services are offered based on client preference via Zoom or in-person.
Handling the Holidays
Open to the Community—Offered 1x a Year
The holidays can be a difficult time of year when grieving the death of a loved one. Handling the Holidays is open for anyone in our community grieving a loved one during the Holidays. We will come together and provide materials for those grieving to help them through this process while supporting one another during the holiday season. This program is open to all adults in our community who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Montrose & Ouray Counties
For more information on Montrose & Ouray County groups, please call (970)-257-2390 or email AdultBereavement@HopeWestCO.org.
Individual & Family Counseling
Counseling sessions are available to anyone who has had a loved one served by HopeWest. Services are offered based on client preference, via Zoom or in-person.
Mending Hearts Grief Support Group
Any Type of Loss—10-Week Closed Group—Registration Required
In the safety of a group and in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding, members talk about their feelings and concerns. As they share their experiences, members help each other work through their feelings and come to terms with the new realities of life. Mending Hearts is a community service of HopeWest. Anyone can attend this group free of charge.
Art for the Grieving Heart
Any Type of Loss—6 Week Closed Group—Registration Required
In the company of others who understand the profound impact of loss, participants share their artistic creations, fostering a sense of connection and empathy. The group dynamic provides a supportive community where individuals can gain insights into their grief, find solace in shared experiences, and discover new coping mechanisms. Explore your emotions through art in a supportive space. No experience needed—just bring an open heart. Join us for a healing journey of self-discovery and connection. Together, we navigate grief through the transformative power of creativity.
Compassionate Hearts Group
Suicide Loss—Offered Monthly—Open Group
Compassionate Hearts is a monthly grief support group for those who have had a loved one die by suicide. This group is open to individuals, families, teens, and children. Although each person’s grief is unique, those coping with the death of a loved one share a common bond. Each support group begins with grief education and is followed by a small group discussion.
Gentle Chair Movement for Grief Support
Any Type of Loss—6 Week Group—Registration Required
HopeWest invites bereaved individuals to participate in a gentle chair-based movement experience designed to support relaxation, grounding, and emotional well-being during the grief journey. This session uses a pre-recorded virtual video featuring slow, accessible movements that can be done while seated. Participants are encouraged to move only in ways that feel safe and comfortable for their own bodies. Resting, observing, or stopping at any time is always welcome. This offering is intended as supportive wellness and grief companionship and is not a form of medical care, physical therapy, or clinical yoga instruction. No prior experience is required.
Handling the Holidays
Open to the Community—Offered 2x a Year
The holidays can be a difficult time of year when grieving the death of a loved one. Handling the Holidays is open for anyone in our community grieving a loved one during the Holidays. We will come together and provide materials for those grieving to help them through this process while supporting one another during the holiday season. This program is open to all adults in our community who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does grief last?
Everyone experiences grief differently and there is no set timeline on how long your grief will last. Grief can come in waves and your grieving process may take longer than you think, with emotions coming at unexpected times. Normal grief lasts anywhere from six months to two years on average. Many things can influence how you process your grief, including the type of loss, intensity of your loss and if you have an adequate support system.
When should I participate in grief support?
Grief is a personal experience and everyone experiences it differently. Ask yourself if getting support could help make your grief journey more bearable. Many people experience “normal” grief which lessens over time but does not disappear. Complicated grief can continue beyond the first year with difficulty accepting the death and the inability to enjoy life. Both types of grief can greatly benefit from grief support, which will give you coping tools for everyday life.
What is anticipatory grief?
Anticipatory grief is the grief you may experience when you know a loss is coming. You are not necessarily grieving for the person who is still with you – you are grieving for the future and what your life will be like after they are gone. It is common to feel anticipatory grief when you have a loved one who is in hospice care or has a terminal illness – reach out to our bereavement program at (970) 257-2390 to receive help coping with your anticipatory grief.
How are bereavement support groups helpful?
Support groups can teach you how to cope with grief and connect with others who share a common bond. They are led by a trained HopeWest facilitator where attendees share experiences and coping strategies they have learned. HopeWest has many different support groups depending on the kind of loss you have experienced, and they are provided at no cost to our communities.
My loved one wasn’t in HopeWest care, can I still receive grief support services?
HopeWest Grief Support is for anyone in Colorado who has experienced the loss of a loved one. If you live outside our service area and are unable to visit HopeWest for a session or support group, we can arrange a telehealth session. Whether it is anticipatory grief, or learning to cope with a loss, our trained and caring staff is available to help.
What is the service area for HopeWest Grief Support?
HopeWest provides grief support in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, and parts of Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. Call (970) 257-2390 to speak with a member of our grief support team.
Meet the HopeWest Grief Support Team
Our therapists are masters-level prepared and have long-term experience in the field of illness and grief support. They have special training and expertise in grief and loss, holding certifications in art therapy, equine therapy, and EMDR—a method designed to alleviate distress associated with trauma.
Amber, LPC-MHSP-S (TN), LPC (CO), Director of Bereavement
About Amber
Amber Moyo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with specialized training in trauma-focused therapy and EMDR. She earned her master’s degree in Counseling from East Tennessee State University and has extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and program leadership, including owning her own practice and serving as Clinic Director of an outpatient clinic.
In addition to her clinical work, Amber is an author and podcast host, where she helps fellow mental health professionals build sustainable, values-driven practices. Guided by empathy and authenticity, Amber helps individuals and families find meaning and resilience through life’s most difficult seasons.
Elaine, MSW, Delta Bereavement Counselor
About Elaine
Elaine brings more than a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult moments. Before joining HopeWest, she worked in child welfare and community mental health across Colorado’s Western Slope, specializing in trauma-informed care, grief, loss, and family systems. She earned her Master of Social Work in 2025 and is committed to ongoing professional growth and ethical, compassionate practice.
Elaine believes grief is not something to “fix,” but something to be honored, understood, and carried with support. Her approach is grounded in presence, honesty, and respect for each person’s unique story. She values walking alongside people at their own pace—listening deeply, offering tools when helpful, and creating space for both sorrow and meaning.
A longtime resident of Western Colorado, Elaine cares deeply about this community and the people who make it home. Outside of work, she enjoys music, creative projects, time with family and friends, and finding small moments of beauty in everyday life. She is honored to serve with HopeWest and to support individuals and families as they navigate loss with dignity, connection, and hope.
Ashley, MSW, Meeker Grief Counselor
About Ashley
Adrianne, MA, NCC, Grand Junction Grief Counselor
About Adrianne
Adrianne is a Registered Psychotherapist in Colorado and a Nationally Certified Counselor through the NBCC. She holds a Master’s in Community Counseling from Adams State University (2008), a BA in Sociology and Psychology from Colorado Mesa University (1999), and a coaching credential from The Mindfulness Coaching School (2022).
Since 1998, she has worked with children and adults, specializing in grief, trauma, attachment, life transitions, and personal growth.
Adrianne integrates Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, Mindfulness, Somatic Processing, and Existential Therapy integrated with a Humanistic approach. She works with compassion and curiosity to help clients connect with their inner wisdom and move toward meaningful change.
Kevin, Chaplain
About Kevin
Chaplain Kevin Watt completed clinical pastoral education through the Rocky Mountain Center for Spiritual Caregivers. Kevin facilitates support groups for those experiencing grief and has a background in spiritual counseling, Non-violent Communication, and meditation. He has worked for HopeWest since 2020.
Deana Pitt, LPC, LAC, Grand Junction Grief Counselor
About Deana
Deana Pitt is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor serving as an Adult Bereavement Counselor at HopeWest. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science from Grand Canyon University in 2019 and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023. Deana began her career providing socially necessary services, including parenting education, adult life skills, supervised visitation, and supportive counseling. She later spent four years working in criminal justice and residential dual diagnosis treatment, providing group and individual therapy for clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Deana is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and an Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist who utilizes a person-centered approach combined with cognitive behavioral techniques.
Jo, Center for Hope & Healing Administrative Assistant
About Jo
Jo began her HopeWest career in July 2004 as a Team Assistant. Since then, she has had roles in many areas of the organization including Receptionist at both Compass Drive and the Ferris Care Center, Administrative Assistant to the Education Department, Support Specialist in Program Informatics, and Administrative Assistant in the Business Office. Jo joined the Center for Hope & Healing as an Administrative Assistant in June of 2021. Her role includes answering phones including, as needed, the main phone line, scheduling counseling appointments, greeting clients, processing all paperwork, and running reports for the department.
Resources & Suggested Reading
How to Begin Your Journey to Hope and Healing
Many people who are grieving find themselves unsure of common reactions. Who is this person who cries unexpectedly? Why can’t I think clearly enough to remember…
read more
Grief During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of celebration and togetherness, but this time of year can also be emotionally challenging for those grieving the loss of a loved one…
read more
Recommended Reading for Those Experiencing Grief & Loss
HopeWest counselors have curated a list of helpful books for those experiencing grief and loss. Books are categorized by topic, including types of loss, grief journals, preparing for death and grief, and more.
view recommended books, workbooks, and journals
Grief's Journey Newsletter
When a loved one dies, families continue to need long-term care and support. Grief’s Journey is a 12-issue newsletter that combines general information about loss and grief with proven tips and coping strategies.
view Grief’s Journey newsletter