Ambiguous Grief and Loss in Narcissistic and Emotionally Abusive Relationships

Course overview

This training is designed to help clinicians to recognize, understand, and support clients through processing the complex grief and ambiguous losses they may encounter in a narcissistic or emotionally abusive relationship. Clinicians will learn how healing from narcissistic abuse introduces changes in the relationship, which may lead to ambiguous grief and loss such as estrangement. Attendees will also learn what makes grief and loss in abusive relationships complex, including grieving a relationship that, while abusive and harmful, also included familial/romantic love. Attendees will learn to understand grief and loss as it occurs on multiple levels and directions, including grief for events of the past, present, and future. Finally, this training will help clinicians understand the importance of honoring this complex grief as a necessary part of healing.