FAQs

The I Am Program is a specialised, child-centred grief program for children and young people aged 7–17 who have experienced the death of a family member.

Delivered through one-to-one or sibling online sessions, the program combines grief education, therapeutic conversation, creative activities and practical coping tools to help children better understand their grief, express their emotions and navigate life after loss.

The I Am Program is designed for children and young people aged 7–17 who have experienced the death of a family member.

The program is delivered across three age groups: 7–9, 10–12 and 13–17, with activities, conversations and caregiver involvement adapted to each developmental stage.

There is no single timeline for grief, and every child’s experience is different.

A no-cost initial appointment provides an opportunity to talk about what’s been happening for your child, their individual needs and how the I Am Program could support them.

Your child’s emotional safety, needs and readiness will always guide whether and when the program begins.

Sessions combine therapeutic conversation with structured, age-appropriate activities, grief education and practical tools.

Children receive their own I Am Program workbook and journal in the mail to use throughout the program. Sessions include drawing, emotional mapping, reflection exercises, mindfulness and memory-based activities, with space throughout to explore their individual experience of grief.

That’s okay. Children are not expected to talk about anything they don’t feel ready to discuss.

The I Am Program offers different ways to explore grief through creative activities, reflection and practical tools, allowing conversation to develop naturally and at a pace that respects each child’s emotional safety and readiness.

The I Am Program is delivered through weekly one-to-one online sessions across three age groups:

Ages 7–9: 45-minute sessions over 7 weeks
Ages 10–12: 60-minute sessions over 8 weeks
Ages 13–17: 60-minute sessions over 8 weeks

Sibling sessions are also available for children within the same age group.

Caregiver involvement varies according to the child or young person’s age:

Ages 7–9: A caregiver is welcome to attend each session and support their child’s engagement.

Ages 10–12: A caregiver is invited to attend Sessions 1 and 8, providing connection at the beginning and closure at the end of the program.

Ages 13–17: Caregiver involvement is guided by the young person’s preference and can occur at their request.

Across all age groups, the child or young person’s experience remains at the centre of the program.

Yes. Sibling sessions are available when children fall within the same age group.

Participating together can provide siblings with a shared space to explore their grief, while still recognising that each child may experience and express their grief differently.

Children and families have reported positive changes in understanding grief and emotions, talking about their grief, developing healthy coping strategies, feeling less alone, and building confidence and self-awareness.

Every child’s experience is different, and progress may look different for each child.

Please contact Hilary’s Heart for current program pricing and information about what is included.

Young Carers living in Victoria who are registered with Carer Gateway may be eligible to access the I Am Program fully funded. We can provide further information about this pathway if relevant.