Confronting Complicated Grief: Essential Webinar for Counselors
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The speaker, Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, initiates a live session greeting the audience and expressing a desire to engage on the topic of complicated grief, which is related to prolonged grief disorder as per the DSM 5 TR. The speaker extends well-wishes to those affected by a recent event in Florida and notes the upcoming counselor education webinar on complicated grief. Due to time constraints and a subsequent commitment to an addiction counselor exam review, the speaker requests assistance from Chuck and Adriana for off-topic audience questions. Personal experiences and resources on recovery from narcissistic abuse and therapeutic approaches are mentioned, along with a brief exploration of grieving versus reminiscing in response to an attendee's question. The speaker humorously concludes with a personal anecdote about allergies and coffee overconsumption in preparation for the session. Dr. Snipes's presentation defines complicated grief, differentiates between physical and psychosocial losses, and discusses the multifaceted nature of grief, including secondary losses and mourning rituals. The clinical semantics of grief and mourning are introduced, and the Inventory of Complicated Grief is mentioned as a tool for assessing grief trajectory after 6 months of a loss. The session also addresses the controversy surrounding the addition of Prolonged Grief Disorder to the DSM 5 TR. The nuances of grief are further explored, with prolonged grief disorder associated with death and recognized in the DSM, while complicated grief includes a broader range of losses. The emotional impact of various types of losses is highlighted, including miscarriages, stillbirths, pet loss, retirement, identity changes, foster care placement, and the loss of dreams due to unforeseen circumstances. The importance of helping individuals move toward accommodation and acceptance of their new realities post-loss is underscored. The narrative also delves into grieving for a child with a disability, the loss of property, faith in humanity, moral injury, anticipatory loss, and the risk factors for complicated mourning. The speaker discusses the influence of cognitive understanding, personality traits, socioeconomic status, spiritual beliefs, the nature of the loss, and the number of losses on the grieving process. The significance of the loss, the quality of the relationship, and the personal meaning of the loss to the individual are also considered. Criteria for prolonged grief disorder are noted, requiring the death to have occurred at least 12 months prior for adults or 6 months for children and adolescents. The speaker shares personal stories of loss, including the sudden passing of their dog, Duke, and the emotional turmoil that followed. They emphasize managing grief, being prepared for triggers, and the lifelong journey of grief. The multifaceted impact of grief on one's environment, spirituality, physical health, and interpersonal relationships is discussed, along with practical advice for managing its effects. The speaker also addresses the complex emotional landscape of grief, the concept of 'grief bursts', and the cognitive challenges that accompany grief. They advocate for 'tragic optimism' and developing hardiness. Practical advice for managing grief includes creating schedules, using reminders, journaling, and working with a therapist. The importance of attachment relationships, Wolf's six reconciliation tasks, and Rando's grieving resolution model are discussed. The speaker concludes by addressing the emotional responses to sudden loss, the importance of providing details about the death for closure, and the need for education, normalization, and validation after a loss.
The speaker, Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, initiates a live session greeting the audience and expressing a