- Share your loss with people who truly understand
- Make room for grief in the body, heart, mind and spirit
- Keep a lasting bond with the person you lost
- Find steadier ground for the days ahead — at your own pace
al-kindi.com — scan to learn more & join
Grief & Healing Circle
A gentle virtual circle for adults grieving the loss of someone they love.
- FormatVirtual (secure video) — open to adults anywhere in Massachusetts
- Length8 weekly sessions
- GroupSmall closed group
- Investment$350 for 8 sessions, per person
The Grief & Healing Circle is an 8-session virtual support group at Al-Kindi Counseling Services for adults in Massachusetts who are grieving the death of someone they love. Guided by a licensed clinician, members share their stories, learn how grief moves through the body, emotions, thoughts and sense of meaning, and find ways to carry their loss and their love forward — in a small, confidential circle.
Why grieve in a circle?
Grief can be one of the loneliest experiences a person goes through. Friends mean well but may not know what to say, and the world often expects you to “move on” long before you are ready. Being with others who are also grieving can ease that isolation: you don't have to explain or perform. You can simply be understood.
Our approach draws on current grief research — which sees healthy grieving as moving back and forth between facing the loss and rebuilding daily life, and as continuing, not cutting, the bond with the person who died — and on a much older source. Around 1,200 years ago, Al-Kindi wrote On the Art of Dispelling Sorrows, one of the earliest works on consolation, teaching that sorrow can be understood, held and gently eased.
How this group helps
Grief is not only an emotion — it touches every part of us. The HIKMA© method works with all four domains:
Physical
Exhaustion, poor sleep, tightness and heaviness are common. We use grounding and breath to care for the grieving body.
Emotional
Sadness, anger, guilt, relief and love can all arrive at once. Every feeling is welcome and none is judged.
Mental
Making sense of what happened, softening “what ifs,” and coping with memories and waves of grief.
Spiritual
Honoring the relationship, rituals and beliefs that give the loss meaning, in whatever faith or tradition is yours.
Curious where this comes from? Read the story of Al-Kindi and our HIKMA© method.
What the eight sessions explore
Each meeting opens with a check-in, includes a focused theme and a gentle reflective exercise, and closes with a moment of remembrance. You share only what you are ready to share.
- Session 1
Arriving
Meeting the circle, agreeing on confidentiality, and introducing the person you are grieving.
- Session 2
Telling the story
Sharing the story of your loss in your own words, at your own pace.
- Session 3
Grief in the body
Noticing where grief lives physically, and simple practices for rest and grounding.
- Session 4
The weather of feelings
Making room for sadness, anger, guilt and even relief — without judgment.
- Session 5
Waves and daily life
Moving between grieving and living; coping with anniversaries, holidays and triggers.
- Session 6
Meaning and faith
Exploring meaning, spiritual questions and the rituals that help you honor your person.
- Session 7
Continuing bonds
Finding ways to carry the relationship forward through memory, legacy and ritual.
- Session 8
Carrying forward
Reflecting on the journey, naming your supports and closing the circle together.
Is this group right for me?
A good fit if…
- You are an adult grieving the death of a family member, partner, friend or other loved one
- Your loss happened a few weeks, months or years ago — there is no deadline on grief
- You'd value connection with others who understand
- You live in Massachusetts and can join by secure video
Maybe not right now if…
- You are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself — please reach out for immediate help first
- You need individual trauma treatment after a very recent sudden or violent loss (we can talk about individual therapy)
- You are unable to attend most of the eight sessions
“The wise person does not mourn what passes, for they do not call transient things their own.”— Al-Kindi, on dispelling sorrows (paraphrased)
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a loss can I join?
There is no right time. Some people join within a few months, others years later. During intake we'll talk together about whether the group is the right fit right now.
Do I have to talk in every session?
No. You are welcome to listen. Most people find they share more as trust grows in the circle.
Is this grief therapy or a support group?
It is a clinician-led therapeutic support group with a structured 8-session arc. It is not a replacement for individual therapy, and our team can help you add individual sessions if needed.
Who can join the virtual group?
Adults (18+) located in Massachusetts during sessions, joining by secure video.
How much does it cost?
$350 for 8 sessions per person, paid upfront to hold your place on the waiting list.
Groups are intentionally small. Request a spot and our team will follow up about the next start date, fit and next steps. Individual therapy with us is in-network with BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, MassGeneral Brigham Health Plan, Optum and UnitedHealthcare.
or call (978) 996-8033
In crisis? This group is not an emergency service. If you or someone you love is in danger, call 911. For immediate emotional support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
Other groups at Al-Kindi
Last updated September 2026 · Al-Kindi Counseling Services, Inc., 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington, MA 02476.