Liberty Corner Church Starts Coronavirus Support Group

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—A local counselor has launched a virtual support group through the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church to help those struggling with the Coronavirus pandemic. "Grieving COVID" was recently started by Emi Sprinkle, who saw a way to use her professional skills to help the community.

"Grief is part of the healing process," said Sprinkle, "and grief has to happen in some form of community, with others for support."

Sprinkle, a licensed professional counselor, specializes in trauma, loss, and grief, and designed the program to address those who have felt various types of loss due to COVID, not just the physical.

"COVID is part of our lives now," Sprinkle said, "and it has brought huge psychological problems to people, like feelings of being captive, afraid, and isolated. And many people have lost their jobs, their homes."

Participation has been high for the group, which meets on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church said Sprinkle's group is what the community needs in such uncertain times.

"This new group is very timely and supportive of people struggling to deal with the new reality we are all facing," said Anne K. Havrilla, Associate Pastor of Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church. "[The program] will be a safe haven for people to share their feelings and experiences."

Sprinkle said she isn't sure whether there will be in-person COVID support groups at the church once the pandemic subsides. In the meantime, she said she will continue to help, regardless of the format.

"I have a passion for helping people who are hurting," Sprinkle explained, "and people who are dealing with grief."