2-Day Grief Treatment Certification Course: Clinical Tools for Building Resiliency and Moving Toward Post-Traumatic Growth

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Program Information

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.

Handouts

Speaker

Christina Zampitella, PsyD, FT Related seminars and products

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Christina Zampitella, PsyD, FT, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a Fellow of Thanatology through the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). She is the founder and owner of The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy, co-owner and Director of Clinical Services at Integrative Psychology Group, and a professional speaker. She teaches in undergraduate and graduate level psychology programs for several universities, focusing her courses and publications on death, loss, grief, and trauma. She served as the chair for the Continuing Education Committee for the San Diego Psychological Association from 2007-2009 and the Delaware Psychological Association from 2018-1019. Dr. Zampitella specializes in death, loss, bereavement, integrative psychology, and nature-based therapy. She is the former resident psychologist on Fox 5 News in San Diego and often appeared on NBC News in California and Philadelphia. She has been featured in Elle magazine, BuzzFeed, Washington Post, and The Huffington Post.
 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Christina Zampitella is the owner of The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy and has an employment relationship with Goldey-Beacom College and National University. She receives compensation as a presenter. Christina Zampitella is the founder and host of Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Christina Zampitella serves on the advisory committee for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, is on the exam writing committee for the Association for Death Education and Counseling and is an advisory board member for the National University Integrative Psychology Program. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, Delaware Psychological Association, and the American Federation for Suicide Prevention.

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Program Information

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Objectives

1. Assess for trauma, depression, substance use and anxiety in grieving clients.
2. Utilize two assessment measures for gathering grief responses.
3. Distinguish how the experiences created by different types of loss impact assessment and treatment planning.
4. Evaluate contemporary models of bereavement as they relate to case conceptualization for grief therapy.
5. Assess the boundaries of professional competence in grief work and know when to refer out.
6. Investigate factors that can influence the grief process including the type of loss and support system.
7. Use the DSM-5 to diagnose/identify Prolonged Grief Disorder.
8. Employ emotional regulation techniques to help calm clients who’ve experienced a traumatic loss.
9. Implement a bereavement plan of care for identified Prolonged Grief Disorder.
10. Use CBT techniques to help bereaved clients manage guilt, blame and other maladaptive cognitions following loss.
11. Apply narrative approaches to help clients construct meaning following loss.
12. Utilize mindfulness interventions to reduce anxiety symptoms in clients with grief.
13. Evaluate the clinical implications of cultural beliefs surrounding mourning and continuing relationships with the deceased.
14. Utilize best practices to structure and facilitate grief support or treatment groups.
15. Develop strategies for self-care when working with grieving clients.
16. Analyze continuing attachment bonds and their relevance to clinical practice with bereaved clients across the lifespan.

Outline

• Grief intensity scale
• Hogan grief reaction checklist
• Assessment to uncover trauma, depression, substance use and anxiety
• QPR and S-SSRS to assess for suicidal ideation or substance use
• Isolation, sleep and nutrition concerns for grieving clients

• How to diagnose using the DSM-5
• Assessment resources
• Complicated Grief Treatment Model
• Meaning Reconstruction

• Grief counseling vs. grief treatment – what’s the difference?
• CBT techniques for guilt, blame and other maladaptive cognitions following loss
• Mindfulness interventions for anticipatory grief and anxiety symptoms
• Narrative approaches to process grief by putting words to the pain
• Exercises to help clients better face uncertainty
• Creative tools to support emotional regulation and expression
• Tools to manage regret and facilitate forgiveness and reconciliation
• Alternative ways to honor deceased loved ones and find closure
• How to make virtual sessions as effective as in-person ones

• Abstract losses – how to work with loss of connection, routine, normalcy and identity
• Divorce
• Substance use
• Natural disasters
• Life-limiting and mental illness
• Developmental disabilities
• Military or incarceration
• Symbolic Losses

• Assess for PTSD symptoms
• Emotional regulation techniques for clients who’ve had a traumatic loss
• DBT techniques to decrease avoidance and manage suicidal ideation
• CBT coping skills for traumatic memories and rumination
• Clinical strategies to reduce fear responses
• How to work with the unique challenges of suicide survivors
• Exercises to help clients overcome guilt and shame
• Employing a strengths-based approach to build resiliency

• Differences between
  • Psychoeducational groups or therapeutic process groups
  • Peer or clinician led groups
  • Loss-specific or general grief groups
  • Open and closed groups
• Participant screening
• Keys to effective facilitation
• Program evaluation

• How culture impacts length of mourning and continuing relationships with the deceased
• Spiritual impacts on grief
• How inequalities in race, gender, sexual orientation and age impact support of grief and loss
• Personal assessment activity
• Cultural competence vs. culturally and difference intentioned/aware practice
• Cultural & difference-focused engagement ideas and strategies

• Boundaries of professional competence
• Research and treatment risks
• Working with the terminally ill, minors, families and end-of-life decisions
• Vicarious trauma, compassion, fatigue and self-care

Target Audience

• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Counselors
• Addiction Counselors
• Case Managers
• Social Workers
• Pastoral Counselors
• Chaplains/Clergy
• Funeral Directors
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Mental Health Nurses
• Nursing Home Administrators
• Thanatologists
• Physicians
• Other Mental Health Professionals