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Parent Support Study

This program is offered as a research study examining three types of support for bereaved parents who have lost a child to cancer. The study is jointly sponsored by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Cancer, St. Jude Children's Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; however, families need not have received care from one of these institutions. Because this is a research study, the type of support you will receive will be randomly assigned. If you are assigned to receive counseling, you will participate in either a therapy that focuses on grief support and expressing your feelings or a therapy that focuses on your grief and sense of meaning, purpose, and identity. The counseling will be provided through videoconferencing and all activities for this study can be completed in your home. If you are not assigned to receive counseling through the study, you will be provided with informational materials aimed at helping you through this difficult time. There will be no charge for any support offered through the study.

Lighthouse

Eligibility

  • You are 18 years or older

  • You lost a child to cancer at least 6 months ago

  • You are the biological, adoptive, or step-parent

  • You live in the state of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Tennessee, or Florida (more states to be added, so please contact us to find out about the status of other states)

Possible Support Offered

MEANING-CENTERED GRIEF THERAPY

Meaning-centered grief therapy focuses on helping participants find a sense of meaning or purpose in their life after their loss. This support program will involve 16 videoconferencing sessions that will last 60-90 minutes each, and will take place about once a week. The sessions will be supported by a workbook that will be sent via email or mail. 

SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING

Supportive counseling will help participants cope with their loss by giving them a place to express their feelings and providing them with support during the sessions. This support program will involve 16 videoconferencing sessions that will last 60-90 minutes each, and will take place about once a week. 

ENHANCED USUAL CARE

Enhanced usual care includes any support or resources participants may receive as part of their standard care (for example, therapy sessions with a local therapist), enhanced with additional resources.

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