Adult Program

The Seasons for Growth Adult program provides a small group environment to support adults to understand the personal impacts of change, loss and grief, and develop skills in communication, decision-making and problem-solving.

How does Seasons for Growth work?

Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports adults to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief.

Seasons for Growth supports adults who have experienced change and loss, including, family separation; loss or death of someone they care about; loss of a pet; relocation and forced migration; physical or mental illness; or impacts of war, terrorism or pandemics. While the adult program reflects the same underlying theory as the Children and Young People's program, it incorporates sound adult learning principles to help build resilience and promote the social and emotional wellbeing of adults as they adapt to change, loss and grief in their lives.

What are the learning outcomes for adults?

Seasons for Growth supports connection with others going through similar circumstances, fostering emotional literacy and resilience as a pathway to improved social and emotional wellbeing. Specifically, the program provides a safe learning environment for adults to:

Acknowledge their experiences and recognise they are ‘not the only one’
Understand that their feelings and other behavioral reactions are normal
Develop skills for coping, positive choices, goal-setting and decision making
Build a peer support network and a felt sense of belonging and connection
Help restore self-confidence, self-esteem and self-respect

How is the Seasons for Growth program delivered?

The Seasons for Growth Adult program consists of two components:

Understanding Change, Loss and Grief seminar (3 hours)

The three-hour seminar is designed for delivery in workplace and community settings with up to 25 participants, where groups and individuals are seeking to deepen their general understanding of change, loss and grief.

Exploring the Seasons of Grief small group program (4 x 2-hour sessions)

The small group program (4-7 participants) supports participants to learn about the personal impacts of change, loss and grief and develop skills in communication, decision-making and problem-solving.

We suggest that anyone impacted by bereavement wait 6-12 months before participating in a Seasons for Growth Adult program. The small group program is not designed to be used in one-on-one counselling, or as a large group presentation.

What do I need to deliver the Seasons for Growth program?

Companions trained in the program are often professionals such as teachers, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, mental health workers, chaplains or those working in pastoral care.

Companions attend ten-hours of training which involves engaging with the evidence and theoretical foundations underpinning the program; and exploring the program content via an ‘inside out’ approach that immerses Companions in the key learning outcomes and activities. Trained Companions are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals and participant journals and access to an online portal offering additional resources, networking opportunities and support.

What are the steps to implement Seasons for Growth?

To facilitate a Seasons for Growth small group program, you must first attend our training. The following steps provide a guide to implementing the program in your community. Our team will support you along your Seasons for Growth journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I train to facilitate the program? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01035 article.knowledgearticleid 93996c99-2ce5-445d-8542-0ac87e90944b

We offer two-day online training workshops to upskill professionals who seek to companion Seasons for Growth. Please view our training page or contact us if you would like to arrange onsite group training for your school or organisation. Find out more information here.

Following completion of the two-day training, am I ready to deliver the seminar and the small group sessions? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01036 article.knowledgearticleid c038bc0d-87d1-481d-9bcf-9f4f3c2b1b55

The two-day training workshop will equip you to deliver both the Understanding Change, Loss and Grief seminar (up to 25 people) and the Exploring the Seasons of Grief small group program (supporting 4-7 adults). As a trained facilitator (also known as a ‘Companion’), you are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals and participant journals and access to an online portal which offers a wide range of additional resources, networking opportunities and support. Prior to commencing a group, facilitators are required to purchase the seminar workbooks or small group journals for the program participants. The journals are available on the Resources page.

What support is offered following the program training? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01037 article.knowledgearticleid 4cd36d4b-5470-4b72-9247-4cff192cf279

As a trained Companion, you are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals and participant journals and access to an online portal, implementation planning, communities of practice and professional development. All Companions are encouraged to seek formal program accreditation which requires them to not only train but also to implement the program, attend a supplementary learning session and submit participant and self-evaluations.

Does MacKillop Seasons offer ongoing learning and supplementary materials? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01041 article.knowledgearticleid 51b1efa7-cb15-4a89-b64e-cb803d9373a9

Working in close partnership with Professor Anne Graham AO, from the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University, additional resources have been developed to support communities. Please visit the resources page of the website to access these flyers, tip sheets and videos.

What is the research evidence that underpins the programs? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01038 article.knowledgearticleid dae7ab5a-f620-40a7-8016-3c768aa923f6

The MacKillop Seasons programs have supported more than 400,000 children, young people and adults in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales. An extensive evidence base for the efficacy of the programs has been established through high-quality research, evaluations, practitioner generated evidence and participant feedback throughout the history of the programs. Find out more here.

I would like to participate in a small group program, how do I find a program near me? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01040 article.knowledgearticleid 3b35898f-cf83-478b-b7c2-bc9a92234a19

MacKillop Seasons provides the training required for Companions to deliver our small group programs. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide details of where and when these groups are held, and we encourage you to enquire at your local community organisation, such as Centacare, Catholic Care or Interrelate.