Advancing knowledge of health challenges across the life course: A Grief and Loss Perspective

Recorded webinar.

All clients enter therapeutic relationships due to loss. These losses can be specifically related to death and dying or other issues that may not be immediately recognized as loss. Chronic illness, disabling conditions, or losses related to other physical or emotional issues are oftentimes not acknowledged as loss and consequently are classified as disenfranchised grief. The goal of treatment is to create an emotional, versus intellectual, approach to this reaction. We do not know exactly what the grieving client is experiencing, even if we have in the past or present experienced something similar, however we can bear witness to their struggle. An empathy-based approach, where we are fully present is essential in creating an environment for their healing to take place. Respecting their silence, respecting their journey, and respecting their timetable tells them we will be there with them.

This training aims to support mental health staff in using evidence-informed and culturally appropriate approaches to common illness-related challenges resulting in myriad types of loss that confront all clients. Topics will include acute health crises, navigating health, crises management of chronic conditions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the process of grief and loss
2. Recognize and assess grief reactions to other life experiences not specifically related to illness/death/dying
3. Apply ongoing assessment of client mental health, related to chronic illness and loss
4. Apply skills to join with and reflect effectively with grieving clients
5. Assess common illness-related challenges that confront clients across the life course
6. Illustrate an improved understanding of the health challenges confronted by clients who may be experiencing chronic conditions, developmental disabilities, acquired disabling conditions, or other illnesses.
7. Use culturally informed health education with clients
8. Recognize and understand countertransference related to working with chronically ill and grieving clients

Research:  The following is a list of websites and resources:

• Frankl, V. (1984). Man’s Search For Meaning. NY: Simon and Schuster
• Grollman, E. (1995). Living When A Loved One Has Died. MA: Beacon Press
• Grollman, E. (1990). Talking About Death – A Dialogue between Parent and Child. MA: Beacon Press
• Holland, D. (2011). Grief andGrieving – An understanding guide to coping with loss and finding hope and meaning beyond. NY: Penguin.
• Ingraham, R. (2013) Emotions, social work practice and supervision: an uneasy alliance? Journal of social work practice, 27 (1), 5-19.
• Joubert, L., Hocking, A., & Hampson, R. (2013) social work in oncology – managing vicarious trauma – the positive impact of professional supervision. Social work in health care, 52 (2-3), 296-310.
• Kapoulitsas, M. & Corcoran, T. (2015) Compassion fatigue and resilience: A qualitative analysis of social work practice. Qualitative social work, 14 (1), 86-101.
• Kubler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying. NY: Scribner.
• Kubler-Ross, E., Kessler, D. (2005). On Grief and Grieving – Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. NY: Scribner
• Kushner, H. (1981). When Bad Things Happen To Good People. NY: Avon Books
• Rando, T. (2015). Coping With the Sudden Death of Your Loved One: A Self-Help
• Handbook for Traumatic Bereavement. Indianapolis, IN: Dog Ear Publishing.
• Rando, T. (1984). Grief, Dying and Death - Clinical Interventions For Caregivers. IL: Research Press
• Walter, Carolyn A., McCoyd, Judith L. M. (2015). Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan, Second Edition: A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Edition 2. NY: Springer Publishing.

Target Audience: social workers, mental health practitioners, creative arts therapists, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, substance use professionals, case managers, and other interested individuals.

We are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.

ADA Accommodations: If you require any support for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us by email at least 3 weeks prior to the event at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841. Thank you.