Types of Grief & Their Implications for Treatment
- Grief vs. mourning
- Depression & bereavement: A distinction
- Secondary losses after death
- Non-death losses
- The problem with “getting over it”
- Misconceptions about grief & mourning
- Limitations of the research & potential risks
Assessment: Intake Considerations for Grieving Clients
- Grief & coping models
- Factors that influence the mourning process
- Assessment of continuing bonds
- Loss line: The ultimate assessment tool
- Normal vs. complicated grief vs. prolonged grief
- Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder
Assessment of Grief & Loss in Children & Adolescents
- How children, adolescents & adults cope differently
- Considerations for different age groups
- “De-code” the meanings of behaviors
- Six common questions following a death
- “Things we want adults to know about our grief”
- Signs of concern/red flags
Interventions & Strategies for Anticipatory Grief
- Normalize the dying process & grief experience
- Model healthy mourning behaviors
- Spot opportunities for memorialization
- Provide death education & practical support
- Strategies to prepare children & adults for the funeral
OVER 60 INTERVENTIONS TO PROMOTE HEALING WHEN IT’S TOO HARD TO TALK
- Therapeutic Games
- Preschool/Early Elementary
- Doll house scene depiction
- Puppets & stuffed animals
- Sand tray therapy
- Youth
- Therapy ball
- Shades of feelings
- Card games
- Youth & Adults
- Constructive use of punching bags/pillows
- Topic starters
- Questions games
- Group sharing: Cards, web of feelings
- …and more!
Art with Children, Adolescents & Adults
- “I Am” board
- Colors of grief
- Support circles
- Memory peacock
- Photo flower pot
- Clay/Play-Doh
- Photography
- Memory boxes & stones
- …and more!
Poetry, Writing & Music Interventions for All Ages
- Bibliotherapy
- Journaling
- Poetry: “I am” exercise
- Letter writing
- Remembrance music
- Song/rap writing
- Sticky note regrets
- …and more!
Memorialization Rituals
- Candle-lighting
- “I remember” book
- Online memorial page
- Rice paper/balloon release
- Memory patio stones
- Tree planting
- …and more!
Interactive Activities for Healing as a Family
- Web of feelings
- Labyrinth with reflection stations
- Memorial service
- “Broken to whole”
- Bibliotherapy for families
- Holiday activities: Memory ornaments & stockings
- …and more!
Grief & Loss Support Groups for Children, Adolescents & Adults
- Grief camps for kids
- Support group considerations
- Family involvement
- Curriculum & session topics (for individual therapy too!)