David Kessler – David Kessler On Grief and Grieving

Outline

Interventions that can Shape GriefInterventions that can Shape Grief

Anticipatory GriefAnticipatory Grief

• Treatment strategiesTreatment strategies
• Tools for normalizing anticipatory grief for the patient/clientTools for normalizing anticipatory grief for the patient/client

Children in GriefChildren in Grief

• Tools for preparing for the lossTools for preparing for the loss
• Interventions for coping enhancement for funeralsInterventions for coping enhancement for funerals
• The forgotten grieversThe forgotten grievers
• Learn the truth about children going to funerals and open casketsLearn the truth about children going to funerals and open caskets

Complicated GriefComplicated Grief

• Simplifying the modelSimplifying the model
• Murder, multiple losses, sudden death, suicideMurder, multiple losses, sudden death, suicide
• Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s

Explanations of Types of GriefExplanations of Types of Grief

• DelayedDelayed
• DisenfranchisedDisenfranchised
• AmbiguousAmbiguous
• InconclusiveInconclusive
• ComplicatedComplicated
• Average responseAverage response
• ResilienceResilience

ForgivenessForgiveness

• Learn alternatives to forgivenessLearn alternatives to forgiveness
• Understand when it works and why it doesn’tUnderstand when it works and why it doesn’t
• Learn techniques your client can use to actually find forgivenessLearn techniques your client can use to actually find forgiveness

The Grief of SuicideThe Grief of Suicide

• Understand how grief of suicide is differentUnderstand how grief of suicide is different
• Learn techniques for releasing feelings of responsibilityLearn techniques for releasing feelings of responsibility
• Tools for healing grief after suicideTools for healing grief after suicide

The Body and GriefThe Body and Grief

• Help understand how we hold grief in our bodyHelp understand how we hold grief in our body
• Learn techniques your client can use to get in touch with residual grief in the bodyLearn techniques your client can use to get in touch with residual grief in the body
• Understand the ways the body remembersUnderstand the ways the body remembers

TraumaTrauma

• How we often re-traumatize ourselves in griefHow we often re-traumatize ourselves in grief
• Learn the difference between releasing grief and replaying traumatic eventsLearn the difference between releasing grief and replaying traumatic events
• How vicarious trauma can affect the clinicianHow vicarious trauma can affect the clinician

Positive Psychology and GriefPositive Psychology and Grief

• Learn how positive psychology can be used in healing griefLearn how positive psychology can be used in healing grief
• Understand why clients may treat themselves harshly in griefUnderstand why clients may treat themselves harshly in grief
• Learn new ways to decrease suffering after a lossLearn new ways to decrease suffering after a loss

Pet LossPet Loss

• Learn why pet loss is just as significant as other lossesLearn why pet loss is just as significant as other losses
• Understand why clients may not reveal loss of a petUnderstand why clients may not reveal loss of a pet
• Learn new ways to help with feelings of exaggerated responsibilityLearn new ways to help with feelings of exaggerated responsibility

Self-care for Clinician Working with LossSelf-care for Clinician Working with Loss

• Learn how to take care of ourselves when being surrounded by lossLearn how to take care of ourselves when being surrounded by loss
• Understand why we sometimes over identify with clientsUnderstand why we sometimes over identify with clients
• Understand if it’s helpful to self-disclose about the clinicians lossUnderstand if it’s helpful to self-disclose about the clinicians loss

Successfully Supporting Friends and Family Members in GriefSuccessfully Supporting Friends and Family Members in Grief

• Learn what to say and what not to sayLearn what to say and what not to say
• Understand proven strategies that will help clients heal themselves while not getting lost in others’ griefUnderstand proven strategies that will help clients heal themselves while not getting lost in others’ grief
• Tools for normalizing anticipatory grief for the patient/clientTools for normalizing anticipatory grief for the patient/client

Tools for the Clinician to Help Clients Cope withTools for the Clinician to Help Clients Cope with

• BullycideBullycide
• AnniversariesAnniversaries
• Holidays – the seen and unseenHolidays – the seen and unseen
• BirthdaysBirthdays

Disasters and How We CopeDisasters and How We Cope

• Shootings/hurricanes/earthquakes and terrorist actsShootings/hurricanes/earthquakes and terrorist acts
• Techniques for approaching horrific crime and/or disaster scenesTechniques for approaching horrific crime and/or disaster scenes
• The impact of natural vs. manmade disastersThe impact of natural vs. manmade disasters