Description of Training:
Prolonged Grief Disorder is a new diagnosis announced in DSM-V-TR during the 2022 COVID-19 pandemic, a time of rapidly rising environmental concerns, social concerns and gun violence. We will examine what this recent diagnosis is and explore the positive and controversial aspects of it. The workshop will delineate “normal” grief from prolonged grief disorder. We will explore death and non-death losses in clinical work (divorce, unemployment, illness, social justice issues, etc.) and how these losses need to be identified and understood as a dual process model between the shifting dynamics of loss and resilience.
The workshop will explore Kubler- Ross and Kessler’s” five stages of grief theory” and how it has been challenged by research findings for over the last twenty years. This workshop will explore a response theory approach to grief and bereavement as opposed to distinct and finite stages and explore a dual process model of coping with bereavement and non-death loss and grief. A focus will be on identifying the evidenced based risk factors of prolonged grief disorder and explore culturally sensitive approaches in dealing with grief and bereavement. The workshop will examine scales that can help with identification of prolonged grief disorder.
This workshop will combine finding meaning in death and non-death loss with an integrative tool-based approach that can be adapted to a wide variety individuals and socio-cultural identities. Meets Cultural Competency CE requirement.
Objectives:
- Analyze how prolonged grief disorder is experienced and expressed in clients and within diversity issues.
- Examine a response theory to death and non-death losses.
- Delineate the Dual Process Model for coping with death and non-death loss and grief.
- Explore outcome measures that are helpful in identifying the diagnosis of Prolonged Grief Disorder.
- Utilize an integrative tool-based approach across therapies that can be adapted to a wide variety of individuals and socio-cultural identities.
References:
Daniel, T. (2023) The stubborn persistence of grief stage theory. Journal of death and dying. Vol.0(0) pp.1-15. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publishing.
Doka, K. and Martin, T. (2025) Grieving beyond gender: Understanding diverse grieving styles. Third Edition. New York: Routledge.
Parkes, C. M. Laungani, P. and Young, B. (2015) Death and bereavement across cultures. Second Edition. New York: Routledge.
Neimeyer, R. (2015) Techniques of grief therapy: Assessment and intervention. New York: Routledge.
Neimeyer, R. (2025) Living beyond loss: Questions and answers about death and bereavement. New York: Routledge.
Reynolds, C., Cozza, S., Maciejewski, P., Prigerson, H., Shear, K., Simon, N. and Zisook, S. (2023) Grief and prolonged grief disorder. Washington DC.: American Psychiatric Press.
Walsh, F. and McGoldrick, M. (2004) Living beyond loss: Death in the family. New York: Norton Press.
