Family Grief 2.0

About This Course

Grief is a natural response to loss, but everyone’s response differs. Christians believe that God uniquely creates them, yet when it comes to grief, there is an expectation that all relationships are the same; therefore, all grief is the same. Each familial relationship is unique, and how each member of the family grieves is unique to them. Family Grief 2.0 will explore the basics of a grief response and how these responses manifest in each family member. Furthermore, participants will learn how neural rewiring is needed to maneuver through grief and the intense emotions accompanying a grief response. In this course, licensed therapist Laura Holmes will use some of her own life experiences as the case study to discuss the path grief has taken her and her family on since they lost their sixteen-year-old son in a car accident in 2008. Evidenced-based methods to help each family member will be discussed, and specific techniques for surviving children of loss will be explained.

Learning Objectives   

Participants will…

1. Discuss the neuroscience of how the brain processes and adapts to the intense emotions that surface during the grieving process.
2. Identify empirically evidenced-based methods that can benefit families grieving and help them rebuild a meaningful life.
3. Describe the unique ways grief manifests in each family member and its impact on surviving children.

Course Lessons and Descriptions 

FGR 101: Exploring Grief and the Grieving Process
Laura Holmes, M.A.

In this lesson, participants will explore the journey of grief and how this can look different for everyone. Participants will discuss the reasons why individuals grieve differently and the vulnerabilities that may lead to complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder. Empirically based methods that can be used to help grieving individuals will be explained.

FGR 102: Helping Children in Grief
Laura Holmes, M.A.

Historically, research on grief focused more on adults' reactions, assuming a child's grief is similar. However, grief in children and adolescents is different from that of adults. Children are often forgotten mourners, carrying double the weight of their grief and that of their parents. Ignoring the needs of children and adolescents in their grief increases the likelihood of maladaptive grief reactions. In this video, licensed mental health professionals and ministry leaders will take a deeper look at how the family dynamics of the grief journey affect the surviving children, focusing on children 18 and under.

FGR 103: Grieving the Loss of a Child
Laura Holmes, M.A.

The loss of a child is devastating and can shift the foundation of the family forever, as it affects everything in that parent’s life. The feelings associated with grief from the death of a child will remain longer than any other death. In this video, participants will explore how the death of a child affects the dynamics of the couple and the family over time. Practical ways to help the family to survive the loss will be explained.

Presenter

Laura Holmes, M.A.

Continuing Education Approval Statements

Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this course
NBCC, IBCC, ACSI, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, (accepted by the SOH, CSWMFTB), South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselor & Marriage and Family Therapists , South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, North Carolina Board of Licensed Mental Health Counselors

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements.  

Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. For more information Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit: https://lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/ 

Date Created: August 7th, 2024