Grief is a universal experience; however, the response to grief is different for many people. Individuals who have a prolonged or delayed reaction to a loss may develop complicated grief. The need for therapeutic intervention is important for people suffering from this type of grief.

Although the frameworks put forward by Kübler‐Ross and Lamb explain the grief process for many individuals, sometimes people do not progress through these natural stages and are unable to accept the loss and move forward with their own lives. The grieving process may be disturbed for these individuals. When this process is blocked or disturbed, complicated grief may arise. In this training, we will focus on the fundamentals of working with clients experiencing Complicated Grief.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Educate clients on grieving processes as unique to the individual.
• Identify observable symptoms of prolonged grief.
• Evaluate the client’s inner motivations for holding onto a prolonged grieving process.
• Construct a model for helping clients move forward.
• Implement 5 interventions the therapist can use to help clients move forward.

Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical, Evidence-Based Practices, and General Skill Building continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Dr. Paul Hardy, NAADAC