Class Descriptions

Grief Counseling Principles and Practice

SW717

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	SW 617 recommended, not required

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice	Elective (Host)
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults	Elective
Children & Families

Course Description

This course is designed to deepen knowledge and skills in grief counseling to work effectively with a diverse range of bereaved individuals. Theoretical underpinnings of grief and loss counseling and contexts in which counseling may occur will be explored. Developing specific grief assessment and intervention clinical skills applicable to a range of diverse clients across the lifespan with different types of loss will be the focus of the course.

Objectives

Student will be able to demonstrate ability to:
1. Engage, maintain rapport, and sustain an effective working relationship with grieving clients
2. Apply of evidence-informed concepts and theories related to biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors relevant to grief assessment and intervention.
3. Identify and demonstrate an understanding and ability to address diversity considerations (including but not limited to PODS, developmental, cultural, racial, gender, socio-economic, identity and other salient factors ) in grief-focused assessment and intervention processes
4. Identify social work values and ethics involved in grief counseling
5. Demonstrate specific grief-focused assessment and intervention skills and strategies applicable to individuals, families and communities
6. Demonstrate an increased awareness of one’s own grief reactions and the potential impact on clients
7. Demonstrate an ability to utilize self-care strategies and professional support systems manage caring for grieving clients in order to manage feelings of personal loss and client needs in a healthy and ethical manner

Design

This mini course will focus on skill development and demonstration with a flipped classroom format. Students will do class preparation outside of class to review assessment and intervention concepts. Brief lecture/discussion to review and reinforce preparation content will be followed by in-class skill building practice with immediate feedback. All Class members will engage in both clinical practice and clinical evaluation and feedback process.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS focust with a special emphasis on awareness of a broad range of salient diversity considerations which impact the grief process, grief expression and selection and use of appropriate assessment and intervention strategies.