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

CPD

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

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, Psy.D., FT, is a licensed clinical psychologist, Fellow of Thanatology, and the founder of The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy. She frequently serves as an adjunct professor and internationally recognized professional speaker, with a particular passion for training emerging mental health professionals. Her clinical practice, research, course development, and teaching are centered around grief and trauma studies, nature-based therapy, and integrative psychology. 

Dr. Zampitella has held leadership roles within professional institutions, serving as the chair of the Continuing Education Committee for several organizations. Additionally, she is a faculty member at the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition and is on the advisory committee for National University’s Integrative Psychology bachelor’s degree program. Her professional experience includes serving as the resident psychologist for 5 News in San Diego, and she frequently appeared on NBC News in San Diego and Philadelphia. Dr. Zampitella has been recognized in various publications, including The Huffington Post, New York Post, Elle Magazine, BuzzFeed, and several Delaware publications. She also hosts her podcast, Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z., where she delves into various topics related to grief and trauma. Currently, she resides in Delaware with her husband, three sons, and three cats.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Christina Zampitella is the owner of The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy and has an employment relationship with National University. She receives compensation as a presenter and receives a grant from Delaware Workforce Training. She receives speaking honorariums from TZK Seminars and eCare. She 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 and the National University's Integrative Psychology Bachelor's Degree Program. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Delaware Psychological Association. She is a fellow with the Association for Death Education and Counseling.
 

Additional Info

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Objectives

1. Assess for trauma, depression, substance use and anxiety in grieving clients.
2. Utilise 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 conceptualisation 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. Utilise 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. Utilise best practices to structure and facilitate grief support or treatment groups.
15. Develop strategies for self-care when working with grieving clients.
16. Analyse 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 counselling 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 honour 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
• Counsellors
• Addiction Counsellors
• Case Managers
• Social Workers
• Pastoral Counsellors
• Chaplains/Clergy
• Funeral Directors
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Mental Health Nurses
• Nursing Home Administrators
• Thanatologists
• Physicians
• Other Mental Health Professionals