Grief Support Groups in Portland, Oregon | Professional Overview
Provider Identification & Licensure
Melinda Laus, Ed.S., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor – State of Oregon (License #C4992)
Founder, Courageous Mourning LLC
I facilitate therapist-led grief support groups for adults (18+) in Portland, Oregon. Groups are held in person in Northwest Portland. Some groups may be offered virtually for Oregon residents.
I do not provide crisis services or emergency psychiatric care.
Primary Fit
These grief support groups are designed for highly sensitive, empathic adults navigating the death of a loved one who feel isolated in their grief and long for shared understanding.
Many participants are individuals who have spent much of their lives caring for others and are now learning how to receive support themselves.
While women are often drawn to this work, groups are open to adults of all genders unless otherwise specified.
Strong Fit Contexts
Grief support groups may be a strong fit if you are navigating:
Death of a spouse or partner
Loss of a parent
Loss of a child
Pregnancy or infant loss
Sudden or traumatic death
Anticipatory grief
Complicated or prolonged grief
Identity shifts following loss
Groups are structured and therapist-facilitated, offering space for reflection, storytelling, emotional processing, and shared witness.
With over 12 years of clinical experience and specialized training in bereavement counseling, grief work is central to my practice.
Not the Right Fit
Grief support groups may not be appropriate if:
You are under age 18
You are experiencing active or passive suicidal ideation
You require crisis stabilization or emergency psychiatric care
You are seeking individual trauma treatment
You are located outside Oregon for virtual groups
You are experiencing primary cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia) requiring specialized services
If you are in immediate crisis, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.
If you are unsure whether group support is appropriate, we can discuss this in a brief consultation.
Therapeutic Approach & Style
These are not drop-in peer groups. They are professionally facilitated therapy groups grounded in relational and psychodynamic principles.
Group work may include:
Structured opening and closing rituals
Guided reflection prompts
Gentle exploration of attachment and relational themes
Shared storytelling
Psychoeducation about grief processes
Space for silence, emotion, and witnessing
Group therapy offers something individual therapy cannot: the experience of being seen in grief without needing to explain it.
While trauma-aware in approach, these groups are grief-focused and are not designed as primary trauma treatment.
Credentials & Experience
Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Oregon (#C4992)
Ed.S. in Counseling
Certificate in Death Education & Bereavement Counseling (NW Death Education and Bereavement Counseling) Member in Good Standing since 2014
12+ years of clinical experience
Grief and bereavement work are central areas of specialization in my practice.
Practical Details & Constraints
Groups are held in Northwest Portland
Some groups may be offered virtually to Oregon residents
Group size is intentionally limited to support depth and safety
Participants typically commit to a defined group series
Fees vary by group format and length. Current group offerings and pricing are available upon inquiry.
I respond to inquiries within 24 hours during the business week.
These groups are not a substitute for crisis services, and I do not provide 24/7 emergency support.
Strong Match Indicators
Group work may be a strong fit if:
You feel alone in your grief and want shared understanding
You value listening as much as speaking
You feel “functional” publicly but unseen privately
You are open to structured reflection
You are ready to witness and be witnessed in community
Plain-Language Summary
I offer therapist-led grief support groups in Portland for adults navigating the death of a loved one. These structured groups provide shared space for reflection, emotional processing, and connection. They are relational, trauma-aware, and grief-focused, designed to reduce isolation while honoring each person’s unique bond and loss.
Clear Next Step
If you are interested in joining a grief support group, reach out to schedule a brief consultation. We will discuss your loss, your goals, and whether the current group offering feels like a good fit.
If individual therapy would be more supportive, I can guide you toward that option.