Loss of Partner Grief Support Group

This group is for adults who have experienced the death of a partner — a spouse, a long-term partner, a fiancé, or a significant other. It is open to people at any stage of grief, whether the loss is recent or some time ago. All relationship structures, gender identities, and sexual orientations are warmly welcomed. The only requirements are that you have experienced the loss of a partner and currently live in Texas.

We use the word “partner” inclusively. This group is for anyone who has lost a person they shared their life with in a committed relationship — a husband, wife, spouse, partner, fiancé, significant other, or long-term companion. You do not need to have been legally married. What matters is the bond you shared and the loss you are navigating.

No — this is an open group, which means new members are welcome at any session. Each session stands alone and is designed to be fully accessible to first-time attendees, regardless of which topic is being covered. Group agreements are reviewed at the start of every session so everyone — new and returning — begins from the same place.

The group is grounded in J. William Worden’s Tasks of Mourning — a clinically respected model that understands grief as an active process. Worden’s four tasks — Accepting, Processing, Adjusting, and Connecting — form the structure of each session cycle. Psychoeducation on the framework is woven into every session, so no prior knowledge is needed.

This group is offered completely free of charge as part of Luminary Counseling’s commitment to accessible, high-quality community support. There is no fee, no subscription, and no financial commitment required.

The group meets on the second Monday of each month, beginning September 2026, from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CDT. Sessions rotate through Worden’s four tasks in a repeating cycle. The full schedule through Summer 2027 is listed on this page. Because the group is open, you are welcome to join at any point in the rotation — no session is a prerequisite for another.

Grief does not have a timeline, and neither does this group. We welcome members who are in the very early days of loss as well as those whose partners died months or years ago. The open format means members at different stages of grief share the same space, which is part of what makes the group meaningful.

This support group is not therapy, and it does not replace individual counseling. While Ann is a licensed mental health professional who brings clinical training to her role as facilitator, the group’s goal is to support you in coping — not to treat a clinical condition. The unique value of a support group is peer connection: being witnessed by others who truly understand what you’re going through. Many people find that group and individual therapy together are more powerful than either alone. Ann offers complimentary consultations for those interested in individual grief therapy.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency — including thoughts of suicide or self-harm — please do not wait for the next group session. Call Integral Care’s 24/7 crisis line at 512-472-4357, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. You can also reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Not necessarily — and that’s intentional. This is an open group, meaning members at many different points in their grief journey participate together. Research and clinical experience suggest that this mix is one of the most powerful elements of group support: hearing from someone further along can offer hope, and being witnessed by someone just beginning can offer meaning. Everyone’s grief is unique, and each person’s presence enriches the group.