April Petrie:
Grief Companion/Coach, Support Group Leader, Educator
Grief Companion/Coach
Many of you might ask, what is a Grief Companion?
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The word "companion" when broken down from its Latin roots, means "messmate": com for "with" and pan for "bread." Someone you would share a meal with, a friend, an equal. Imagine sitting at a table together, side by side, being present to one another in a sharing, communing, abiding kind of way. As Dr. Wolfelt, my teacher in this model puts it, " Companioning the mourner is not about assessing, analyzing, fixing or resolving another's grief. Instead, it is about being totally present to the mourner, even being a temporary guardian of her soul. It is anchored in the "teach me" perspective--"to keep and honor" and "to bear witness with"." As a companion in your grief journey, I will enter in with a compassionate, non-judgmental heart to listen and help you put words to the inner terrain of your own grief experience. You are the grief expert in many ways as only you can name your own unique inner journey. As your companion in this grief (the internal experience of loss), my goal is to help you move through the mourning process (the external expression of grief) with dignity. If your loss involves a death, I will help you honor your loved ones, & find new places of connection to your loved ones through the memories you carry.
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A central role as your companion is to enter into honoring your story. Honoring stories means we slow down, turn inward & listen as you name the reality of your loss, embrace painful places, review memories and look for meaning . I will help you identify the unique places in your story that need to be brought from the dark to the light. I will be with you in the often agonizing spiritual crises/questions that arise when a loss occurs. I will encourage you to develop healthy self-care tools to attend to yourself in the wilderness you are walking through. I will provide a safe place for reflection and processing of your emotions and grief as you find yourself in unfamiliar spaces without a roadmap.
I offer one-on-one sessions in my office space in Weddington, NC or am glad to meet you for a walk somewhere or have a conversation at a local public meetup spot. If you are faced with hard tasks such as going to difficult appointments to address estate issues or need an advocate to stand in the gap with you for difficult phone calls that need to be made, I can be present in these ways. I charge a modest hourly fee for one-on-one sessions. Reach out to me in the Contact section of my page for more information on fees/billing. If where you are walking requires a licensed professional counselor or mental health professional, I will always be willing/ready to refer you to someone who can address deeper layers of care or need. I have many contacts in the area for local support.
Grief Support Group Leader
I offer grief support groups focused around a commonality of loss. I facilitate safe and supportive spaces for individuals to share their experiences and feelings with others who are going through similar challenges. My grief support groups provide a sense of community, validation of your story/experiences, and encouragement to help individuals heal from their loss. I offer only in- person support groups at this time. These are not therapy groups but peer-led support groups.
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Current Groups:
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Grief Support Group for Widows:
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Where?
My office across the road from
Forest Lawn East Funeral Home
3711 Forest Lawn Dr. Matthews, NC 28104
When?
Meets Every Other Week on Monday evenings
Beginning September 15th &
running through Monday, December 22, 2025
Meets for 8 sessions
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Time?
6-7:30 pm
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For:
All ages of widows/partners welcome. Group open for first 6 wks to new members--
then will close at end of October to encourage group safety and community building.
Content:
Are you walking through the grief of losing a spouse or partner? You Are NOT ALONE!
We will check in together at each session to build community.
We will also read through the book "Understanding Your Grief" by Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
A companion journal will be provided for your own integration of group learning.
Reading the book is not required for attendance.
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Fee:
Small fee to cover books & supplies
(Sponsorships available if finances are an issue)
Facilitators:
April Petrie (co-facilitator Karen Clyburn)
Certified Grief Companion/Coach, Grief Educator, Self-Care Teacher
Certified Trauma-Informed Story Guide
For any questions or to register for this group, contact April Petrie at april@presenceinthewilderness.com
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Grieving Parents Support Group :
Open to any parent walking through grief of losing a child of any age.
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Where?
My office:
3711 Forest Lawn Dr. Matthews, NC 28104
(across the road from Forest Lawn East Funeral Home)
When?
Meets Every Other Week on Tuesday Evenings
Beginning Tuesday, September 16, 2025 &
running through Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Meets for 8 sessions
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Time?
6-7:30 pm
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For:
Any parent walking through the death of a child.
Content:
Join us as we gather with other parents who are walking through
the loss of a child to find community and support.
We will check in together at each session to share where we are &
build trust/connection.
We’ll also read the book "Understanding Your Grief" by Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
A book & companion journal will be provided for integration of group learning.
Reading the book is not required.
Group will close in late October to new attendees to encourage group
safety and community building.
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Fee:
Small one time fee to cover books & supplies
(Sponsorships available if finances are an issue)
Facilitators:
April Petrie (& Co-Facilitator Odette Valder)
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Certified Grief Companion/Coach, Grief Educator, Self-Care Teacher
Certified Trauma-Informed Story Guide
For any questions or to register for this group, contact April Petrie at april@presenceinthewilderness.com
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Suicide Loss Survivor Support Group :
Open to Adult Family/Friends of Someone Who Had Died by Suicide
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Where:
My office:
3711 Forest Lawn Dr. Matthews, NC 28104
(across the road from Forest Lawn East Funeral Home)
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When:
Every Other Wednesday
Beginning Wednesday, September 24, 2025 through December 17, 2025
Group meets for 7 sessions.
Time:
6-7:30 pm
Contact/Registration:
April Petrie
april@presenceinthewilderness.com
text/call: 704-904-6808
Content/Format:
Are you grieving the loss of someone who has died by
suicide? You are Not Alone!
Join us as we gather with others who are walking through
this same deep loss to find community and support.
We will be working through Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s "Understanding Your Suicide Grief" book
along with the majority of the session being peer support encouragement.
Books and personal journals provided.
Group open until end of October for new members.
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Facilitators:
April Petrie (& Co-Facilitator, Kristina Miller)
– Certified Grief Companion/Coach/Educator
– Certified Trauma-Informed Story Guide/Coach
– NAMI/AFSP Member/Group Facilitator; QPR Trained
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Grieving Sibling Support Group :
Open to any adult sibling walking through the grief of losing their sibling of any age.
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Where?
My office:
3711 Forest Lawn Dr. Matthews, NC 28104
(across the road from Forest Lawn East Funeral Home)
When?
Meets Every Other Week on Tuesday Evenings
Beginning Tuesday, September 23, 2025 &
running through Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Meets for 7 sessions
​
Time?
6-7:30 pm
​
For:
Any adult sibling walking through the death of a brother or sister.
Content:
Join us as we gather with other siblings who are walking through
the pain of losing their brother/sister to find community and support.
We will check in together at each session to share where we are &
build trust/connection.
We’ll also read the book "Understanding Your Grief" by Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
A book & companion journal will be provided for integration of group learning.
Reading the book is not required.
Group will close in late October to new attendees to encourage group
safety and community building.
​
Fee:
Small one time fee to cover books & supplies
(Sponsorships available if finances are an issue)
Facilitators:
April Petrie (& Co-Facilitator Debra Jackson)
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Certified Grief Companion/Coach, Grief Educator, Self-Care Teacher
Certified Trauma-Informed Story Guide
For any questions or to register for this group, contact April Petrie at april@presenceinthewilderness.com
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Grief Educator
I provide educational resources and workshops to help individuals understand the complex and often confusing nature of grief. My hope is to offer a supportive, listening presence to individuals as a fellow traveler and share ways to offer this kind of presence to those walking with a mourning friend, co-worker or family member.
I offer a range of resources, including articles, music playlists, Scripture passages, video links, books/pamphlets on unique kinds of grief, and a lending library of resources on grief, loss and spiritual journeying.
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If your workplace, place of worship, school or other organization has walked through a loss or has an impending loss of a member, I can come to your community and offer a seminar on grief/loss. I can provide presence, practical insights on what to say/not to say, dispel myths about grief and offer frameworks in understanding the mourning process. Reach out to me for further information on this offering.
Presence In The Wilderness Blog
Explore my blog as I will be posting resources, information and articles on grief. I share personal stories, spiritual encouragement, practical advice, and expert insights to help individuals befriend and move toward and through their grief. Whether you are looking for inspiration, comfort, or guidance, my blog has something for everyone.
Connect with Me
If you are struggling with grief or walking with someone who is, I am here to help. Please feel free to contact me to learn more about my services, schedule a session, or ask any questions you may have. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you on your grief journey!