A complimentary bereavement support group open to the community, sponsored by Bryan-Braker Funeral Home - a professionally lead weekly support group - a supportive and educational group for all who are experiencing the grief from the loss of a loved one. This group is a closed eight-week session that meets in the Bryan-Braker Vacaville location. The size of the group will vary from 5 - 12 people and is open to any member in our community.
Next session is beginning mid-April 2024. For inquires and more information please email Harrison at [email protected] or call 707-999-8720.
- Facilitated by Harrison Stewart and Debbie Lavin.
Harrison Stewart started his career as a paramedic and then transitioned into the mental health field with a specialty in drug and alcohol treatment as well as grief and loss counseling. He earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Sacramento State University in 2017 where he completed an internship with Kaiser Hospice in Vallejo. Harrison ran Bereavement Support groups for Kaiser under the supervision of Dr. Kim Mcglaughlin and then was contracted by Kaiser to continue running bereavement support groups for the Kaiser Hospice department. Harrison also provided individual grief and loss counseling for Kaiser.
Harrison worked as the Program Supervisor for a 40 bed residential men’s treatment center called Discovery House located in Martinez, CA where he designed and facilitated a Grief and Loss program for adult men in early recovery. He currently works for UCLA Integrated Behavioral Health as an independent consultant in the Independent Peer Review program and is a co-facilitator of a bereavement support group in the Solano County Area.
Harrison has been facilitating groups for 12 years and has gained experience in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma informed treatment. His experience with grief and loss counseling at Kaiser Hospice and at Discovery House helped to make him an effective group facilitator.
Debbie Lavin earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communication from UC Davis. She holds a Master’s in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Debbie is currently teaching Communication at California State University Sacramento, and Napa Valley College. She also plans to teach Restorative Justice at CSUS.
Since 1995, Debbie has been facilitating groups. For sixteen years, she taught Health Education Classes with Kaiser Permanente. She is experienced in teaching diverse groups of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. She recognizes and is sensitive to the various needs of individuals, adapting curriculum and objectives to reflect authentic inclusivity.
Currently, Debbie is co-leading Grief and Trauma Groups in the Vacaville community. Debbie possesses a deep understanding of the grieving process, through her own loss, and the ensuing desire to understand and navigate grief and trauma. She has taken many classes on the grieving process and has studied most of today's leading experts in the field of grief and trauma.
In addition, Debbie is certified in Responding to Suicide. She held the post of Suicide First Responder at Napa Valley College. As such, Debbie has studied most of what is available on the subject of Suicidology.
Debbie’s participants and students find her to be a very approachable teacher, who possesses effective facilitative skills and the ability to listen empathetically.
