CMHC 675: Grief Counseling

Regardless of the practice setting, counselors inevitably work with clients who are coping with loss. This course will address the relevant knowledge and skill base needed to provide intervention to individuals and families coping with a range of loss experiences including death, dying and bereavement. Students are presumed to have a knowledge base in human development, various models of personality and human behavior theory, systems theory and multicultural counseling. Students will explore the dynamics of attachment and loss, life cycle reactions and needs of the dying and bereaved. A number of contemporary practice models (including Worden’s framework for grief therapy) will be presented. The assessment of complicated grief reactions and counselor’s roles and tasks in facilitating the grief process will be a focus.