Navigating Grief and Loss: Evidence-Based Strategies for Psychologists

Course overview

This continuing education course is designed for licensed psychologists seeking to enhance their knowledge and clinical effectiveness in working with grief across diverse populations and contexts. Grounded in current psychological science and aligned with APA's ethical and multicultural practice guidelines, the course explores the multifaceted nature of grief, including normal, anticipatory, complicated, and disenfranchised grief, as well as non-death losses related to identity, chronic illness, and trauma. Participants will gain expertise in assessing grief-related disorders such as Prolonged Grief Disorder and comorbidities, including PTSD and depression, while learning to apply culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate evidence-based interventions, such as Complicated Grief Therapy, CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed techniques. Throughout the course, psychologists will examine grief from a developmental lens, addressing unique presentations and interventions for children, adolescents, adults, and elders. A focus on cultural humility guides the exploration of spiritual and communal mourning practices, intergenerational trauma, and systemic losses. Emphasis is also placed on ethical clinical practice, therapist self-awareness, and strategies to manage vicarious grief and compassion fatigue.