Online Grief and Bereavement Training

Service Description

Why take this course In our Western culture death and dying have largely been taken into the realm of professionals, with many of us dying in hospital. Death is rarely a part of our conversations. Many don’t feel comfortable around the bereaved, they don’t know what to say or do for the best, or what to expect when faced with a bereaved person. This can make the experience of being bereaved very lonely, particularly as there are also many misunderstandings around grief, which can sometimes make matters worse. Merryn is passionate about dispelling these myths and giving people a clear roadmap to demystify what is a normal, healthy response to the death of a loved one – and identify when professional help might be needed. As well as her own personal experiences of grief, she has supported countless others over the years through her professional role as a death doula as well as on a personal level. This compassionate online course, which is illustrated with case histories and packed full of practical tips, will help you feel more confident when supporting grieving friends, patients, family or neighbours – and leave you better prepared for what to expect in your own times of grief. What will you learn The common myths surrounding grief and bereavement – what’s true and what isn’t How differing cultural, religious and belief-based views impact on how people grieve What the science and the latest research tells us about the grieving process The 3 common responses to the death of a loved one When grieving becomes a problem; complicated, avoidant or delayed grief Grieving for someone who is still alive Two different sorts of crying Pathological grieving – how to tell if professional help is needed Guilt and grieving over the loss of someone you feel you might have helped, e.g. suicide, drug or alcohol related death Why our innate emotional needs (part of our ‘human givens’) have a protective role Essential ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ for those wanting to support an individual who has lost a loved one – and how these can change over time or depending on the context How the circumstances around a death can affect how individuals grieve The impact of sudden, unexpected death What to expect in the early days following the loss of a loved one The value and use of ritual The role of our emotions – and why they can come up again out of the blue, sometimes years later How to help children and teenagers deal with death