Finding Strength Together: Applying the RIVER Model to Peer Grief Support

Grief is a natural reaction to death. Every human being will experience grief at some point in their lives, often multiple times. Grief is universal, unavoidable, and can be incredibly difficult. Grieving people often feel isolated, misunderstood and  judged by their friends and family. This is where Peer Grief Support can be very helpful by providing connection, shared experience, and support. 

Peer Grief Support is a practice where individuals who have experienced similar losses find companionship with one another, offer mutual empathy, and provide guidance during the grieving process. In peer grief support, individuals support  one another based on their shared experiences of loss, whereas in professional grief support, trained professionals offer specialized guidance and counseling to individuals experiencing grief. Peer Grief Support allows for  validation of emotions and experiences in an individual’s grief journey, which may counteract the isolation that often comes with losing a loved one.

Peer Support Community Partners’ mission is to help establish and sustain peer grief support as an effective field of practice – integral to every community’s response to grieving people after someone dies. The RIVER model, developed by PSCP, sets the standard for delivering Peer Grief Support (PGS) to grieving people. This groundbreaking approach is based on the PSCP founders ’ combined six decades of experience and leadership in PGS. It is the foundation for establishing and maintaining peer grief support as a field of practice in its own right and making it an integral component of how communities help grieving people.

RIVER and two best practices in the helping professions — person-centered care and trauma-informed care — are infused into all PSCP programs and service delivery. This approach to peer grief support is built around five intentions; Relate, Invite, Validate, Empower, and Reassure —  practices people naturally engage in when they are helping others. PSCP trains bereaved people who are far enough along in their own journey to use RIVER to turn their lived experience into a resource for helping active grievers through difficult times.

RIVER supports grieving people, families, workplaces, and communities by emphasizing these five principles:

• Grieving people are not alone.

• Grieving people’s stories are welcome.

• Grieving people’s reactions are understandable.

• Grieving people can find their way.

• Grieving is a lifelong process.

To learn more about peer grief support, the RIVER model, or about PSCP’s work around the country, contact us here.