Ambiguous Grief and Non-Death Loss: An Overview for Therapists

Grief is the normal and natural reaction to any significant loss, whether that is a bereavement loss or a non-death loss. From coping with divorce or loss of job to losing a loved one to dementia, incarceration, foster care or addiction, therapists and other professionals are often supporting those dealing with these types of misunderstood grief.

In this 2-hour continuing education webinar, Litsa Williams, MA, LCSW-C will review the body of literature around ambiguous loss and non-finite loss, helping clinicians define and identify ambiguous losses, assess the impact on individuals and family systems, understand the nature of the relational stress of these losses, and provide basic techniques for promoting resilience in circumstances of ambiguous grief and non-death loss.

This introductory level continuing education webinar is designed to help mental health professionals:

1. Define three types of ambiguous loss established by the research of Pauline Boss.
2. Assess the impact of ambiguous loss stressors on individuals and family systems.
3. Differentiate other non-death losses, including non-finite loss and chronic sorrow, defining overlapping and distinguishing features.
4. Identify therapeutic and psychoeducational interventions to ease the stress of ambiguous loss and provide individual, family, and community support for other non-death losses.
5. Discuss the role and limitations of resilience in ambiguous loss and apply evidence-informed techniques for promoting resilience in circumstances of ambiguous and non-death loss.

Statement of program material’s accuracy, utility, and risks: The literature has established that the majority of practicing clinicians have not received evidence-informed education in current treatment models of grief for both death and non-death losses. This program provides clinical interventions appropriate for clients experiencing ambiguous and nonfinite grief, drawing on methods from Pauline Boss' model of grief counseling for ambiguous loss as well as Bruce and Shultz's psychoeducation model for nonfinite grief. A body of research spanning back 30 years establishes these as effective and safe approaches when applied properly.

Declaration of conflicts of interest and commercial support: The presenter does not receive any commercial support for this program that could be construed as a conflict of interest. The presenter receives no financial or other benefits from any of the books, articles, or other resources referenced in this workshop.

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety. To receive CE credit hours for an archived recording, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events are generally considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395. GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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