Motherless daughters to start support group

    Students can face problems in marriages, in the classroom and on the job that stem from unresolved issues concerning the loss of a mother, a South Campus counselor believes.

    Two years ago, Trish Light, counselor and associate professor of psychology on South Campus, began a Motherless Daughters Group, seeking to meet some of the needs that arise from the loss of a mother.

    Light, who also directs the Women in New Roles program on South, said the loss of a mother is ranked as one of the most determining events of a student's life.

    "The program offers support to students who feel motherless, due to a death, a divorce, a workaholic mother or a mother who, for whatever reason, is not capable of mothering," she said.

    Students will look at the four steps of grief: denial or isolation, anger, depression, acceptance and hope.

    It is important that students understand what is normal and what is not normal in the grief process, Light said.

    Light said that students learn how creative directions can arise from tragedy in their lives.

    "One such creative direction is students' learning to cultivate relationships through mentoring or re-parenting. Re-parenting is a way for students to get some of the needs in their lives met, " she said.

    Students will use the book Motherless Daughters in their monthly group meetings. The next meeting is Saturday, Feb. 8, 10:50 a.m.-noon in the SUB Faculty Dining Room on South Campus and is open to all students.