About the Course

The Compassionate Bereavement Care Certification® program explores and extends current evidence based practices in traumatic grief for clinicians and is based in a non-medicalized, non-pathologizing, mindfulness- approach. We teach the art of full presence and compassionate counseling informed by   recent science (Cacciatore, 2010; Cacciatore & Flint, 2012; Thielman & Cacciatore, 2013; Cacciatore, Thieleman, Killian, & Tavassoli, in press).

Specifically, the training is based on a novel, empirically tested mindfulness-based intervention for those suffering traumatic deaths through

1) attunement skills, 2) building trust and safety in trauma, 3) therapeutic and culturally appropriate touch, 4) egalitarian and client-trauma centered practice, 5) nuanced intervention that focuses on trauma and culture, and 6) traumatic death education which includes neurophysiological changes in clients enduring traumatic stress.

You will also explore, through a phenomenological perspective and using creativity, art, literature, poetry, indigenous wisdom, and evidence-based research, the various experiences of grief, trauma, and bereavement, practice techniques, and psychosocial care to the traumatically bereaved.

During this course, we will integrate the ATTEND model into an examination of the micro, mezzo, and macro aspects of death and grief in contemporary society. This course will better prepare clinicians working with traumatic grief through theory, philosophy, and direct practice with individuals, families, and groups.

1. Define and explore the concepts of vicarious, traumatic, disenfranchised, and ‘normal’ grief;
2. Describe the immediate and long-term psychological, social, physiological, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual/existential effects of grief on individuals, families, and on providers based on the most current review of empirical literature;
3. Learn the economic impact of such losses on individuals, families, and society;
4. Review the history of the DSM and bereavement; Recognize and understand pharmacologic trends in treating acutely bereaved based on empirical outcomes;
5. Describe the immediate and long-term psychological effects of infant/child/adult child/suicide/homicide death on families;
6. Learn and understand the implementation of the ATTEND paradigm of psychosocial care for the bereaved and for self-as-clinician;
7. Discover and practice effective psychosocial communication skills;
8. Discuss evidence based practices around ritual and practice culturally competent care of the bereaved;
9. Identify and co-create mindfulness and existentially based crisis and long-term interventions for bereaved clients that are culturally appropriate and reflexive;
10. Increase understanding of grief and emotional tolerance in the process of human suffering and mourning as a normal response to the death of a beloved one;
11. Using multiple modalities including poetry, art, and music, participants will expand their knowledge of self-care strategies to reduce vicarious trauma risk.

$995.00 for the four-day training (light breakfast and lunches included). An optional 30 continuing education credits provided for a fee.*

This training is being held in Sedona, Arizona, one of the most beautiful and sought after vacation cities in the world. Come a day or two early and enjoy the majesty of Sedona!

*Alliant International University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Alliant maintains responsibility for the program and its content. Alliant is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to provide continuing education for MFTs and LCSWs (provider # PCE234). .