COMPANIONING

COMPANIONING

com·pan·ion1

/kəmˈpanyən/ noun

1. one that accompanies another:
2. one that is closely connected with something:

Adapted from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

The Philosophy of Companioning

The idea of companioning has been coined by Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., C.T.. He is an internationally noted author, educator and grief counselor. He serves as Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition and is on the faculty at the University of Colorado Medical School’s Department of Family Medicine.

Dr. Wolfelt believes in “companioning” the bereaved, in contrast to the medical model, which is based on “treating patients.” This philosophy centres on offering peer to peer support in an environment of equals. Most of the time peers are those who have gone through a similar experience and can offer hope and understanding.