Butterflies
Butterflies: Children Emerging from Grief is a counseling program for children ages 6 to 17 who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The program provides group and individual counseling, teaching the children to process the loss situation effectively and coping skills so they may deal with the range of emotions associated with the loss of a loved one (anger, fear, sadness and anxiety).

Butterflies also provides outings to children with family members who have life limiting illnesses.

Signs of Grief
Signs of grief in children may include:

• loss of interest in schoolwork or favorite activities, such as participation in athletics.
• sudden personality changes.
• impulsive or reckless behavior; acting out inappropriate anger.
• frequent irritability or unexplained crying.
• use of drugs or alcohol.

• eating/sleeping disorders.
• preoccupation with pain, death or suicide. 
• giving away favorite possessions.
• regression to an earlier childhood development stage.
• the child may develop sympathetic pains or a dread fear of disease.

Unresolved Grief
Children who do not resolve grief may:

• avoid love as a way of avoiding pain
• be unable to emotionally acknowledge the pain of others
• have adult relationships in which they hold back for fear of loss or pain
• be unable to express love and attachment to their own children

Resolved Grief

Good things happen when children resolve their grief. There is a strengthening effect on children who have experienced a serious loss and worked through it. They know life is precious. They know the importance of family, as a gift to be cherished, not taken for granted. They are generally more aware of pain and suffering in others. They tend to mature faster. They usually are drawn closer to their siblings.

Camp Phoenix is a yearly camp for grieving children and their parents. For more information about Camp Phoenix, click here.

Web site designed by
Kevin E. Murray