The Centre for Loss and Healing

The Centre is located on the outskirts of Christchurch in West Melton. We have found this tranquil retreat to be the perfect environment. In addition the Center has on its’ grounds a labyrinth which we incorporate into our programs.

The Centre offers support and a wide range of activities for individuals who, in any given time in their lives, have experienced a loss and feel the need to reflect on that event and want to come to terms with that loss in order to get on with their lives. Activities of the Centre extend also, to those who by the nature of their work are professionally involved in the field of loss, grief and bereavement. We include those working in the medical and the nursing professions, social workers, counselors and caregivers.



We consider 'loss' any event that has seriously effected the course of life. Loss entails a broad range of life experiences. In the first instance you might think of loss as the loss of a loved one, but losses come in many forms including the loss of energy, of work, (early) retirement, immigration, the loss physical capacity, happiness of meaning and purpose.

We consider 'healing' a concerted effort by an individual or a group of individuals to face and to learn
to cope with their losses in a way that the individual(s) can integrate whatever event or experience is effecting his or her life thereby restoring energy and self-esteem.

We believe that 'listening' to what a person has to say about his or her experiences is just as crucial as 'sharing' these events with a counselor or with others who have gone through similar experiences. Sharing will help you through the grieving process and it will help you to retrieve your energy, thus becoming a happier person. Working your way through the grief process will simultaneously have a 'flow on' effect in the way you relate to others.

Education, training and therapy

We offer educational programs which are aimed at helping individuals and professional caregivers to discover how they relate to specific events in life. All programmes are tailored to meet client’s needs, The programmes are planned and executed on the basis of mutual agreement. Outcomes are evaluated with the participants.

The educational programs address issues such as: respecting choices (in health care) and advance directives, norms and values in health care delivery, care for the care giver, improving education in palliative care, different life philosophies and what they have to offer, the labyrinth as a health tool, understanding loss, and building your own labyrinth.

We integrate the use of the labyrinth in the educational programmes, personal counselling and therapy.

How will attending help me?

Caregivers benefit in many ways from workshops. We will help you:
Become more familiar with the grief process
Enhance your ability to relate effectively to the grieving person or family
Develop new skills to cope with personal feelings related to death and grief
Receive resource materials to facilitate continued learning
Hone skills in the helping relationship
Expand your knowledge of current discipline developments
Heighten your awareness of resources in the areas of death, dying, grief and bereavement

See the Workshop Page for a schedule workshops for 2006.