Viewed through the lens of the Tripartite Model of Meaning Reconstruction in Loss, the death of a significant person by suicide presents profound narrative challenges to integrating the event story of the loss, reconciling the back story of the relationship with the deceased, and revising the personal story of the life of the survivor.  In this module, we focus on the first of these impediments to making sense of the loss, grounding clinical recommendations and practices in recent conceptual and empirical contributions to understanding and addressing the needs of survivors.

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We begin with an overview of suicide and drug-related death, both of which have increased alarmingly in the past two decades.  We then present a nested model of traumatic bereavement that highlights unique symptoms and struggles encountered by those bereaved by both causes and give particular attention to the multifaceted search for meaning in their wake.  Drawing on the latest studies of the most prominent needs endorsed by survivors, we identify which unmet needs are most predictive of anguishing and prolonged grief symptomatology, and the role of meaning in mediating the impact of several evidence-based risk factors on bereavement outcomes.  We will note cultural differences in suicide patterns most relevant to the audience and feature clients who differ in gender, relation to the deceased and type of loss.

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Turning from assessment to intervention, we first present and practice a creative technique for resourcing tragically bereaved clients to ensure their safety.  We then review concrete guidelines for a meaning-focused therapeutic retelling of the story of the loss that buffers clients against re-traumatization while helping them make sense of both the event and themselves in its aftermath.  Viewing frequent clinical videos to illustrate key concepts and interventions, and gaining hands-on practice with relevant tools and techniques, learners should complete this module with greater confidence and competence in addressing the needs of survivors of tragic loss with trauma-informed care.

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Note:  This 3-hour CE module focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Describe recent trends in the incidence of both suicide and drug overdose and their implications for bereaved survivors;

• Recognize unique themes that distinguish responses to a continuum of loss by various causes; 

• Summarize recent research on the expressed needs of survivors of both suicide and overdose loss and their implications for risk of prolonged grief;

• Implement one creative technique for reinforcing client resources for addressing traumatizing aspects of suicide and drug-related death; and 

• List and define three procedures for mitigating re-traumatization while helping clients integrate the story of the tragic dying.

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Note:  Completion of this program and return of the Responsive Journal satisfies 1 Technique Module required for Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction, Certification in Family-Focused Grief Therapy, or Certification in Grief Therapy for Suicide Bereavement.

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PROGRAM CONTENT

This program contains the following video segments:

1. Suicide and Overdose Bereavement:  Assessing Needs and Impacts (46 mins)

2. Violent Death and the Crisis of Meaning:  A Roadmap for Intervention (37 mins)

3. My Safe House:  Finding Security in the Midst of Trauma and Loss (44 mins)

4. Restorative Retelling:  Guidelines and Process Analysis of Cases (50 mins)

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COURSE PACK CONTAINS...

• A PDF copy of the presentation slides;

• A copy of the recently validated Sudden-Bereavement Needs Inventory (SBNI) along with scoring instructions and permission to use it in clinical and research contexts;

• Instructions for a creative tool, My Safe House in Times of Storms, for reinforcing client's safety in the wake of traumatic loss, with further questions for processing the client’s response; 

• Detailed guidelines for Restorative Retelling, with particular reference to suicide and drug-related deaths; and

• The Responsive Journal that, upon completion and return, confers 1 Technique Module required for Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction, Certification in Family-Focused Grief Therapy, or Certification in Grief Therapy for Suicide Bereavement.

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TARGET AUDIENCE

• Psychologists, social workers, counselors, art / music / expressive arts therapists, pastoral care personnel, healthcare professionals, bereavement volunteers

• To qualify for the 3 CE Credits, please kindly note that:

  • Completion of watching the entire recorded module is required to receive CE credits.  No partial credit is awarded.

  • You are required to complete a CE quiz after watching the recording.  An overall score of 75% or higher within three attempts is required to obtain CE credits.

  • The certificate of CE credits will be issued to you upon your submission of a participant evaluation form.

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INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL

• Intermediate

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Disclosure Statement

This recorded module is not supported financially by a manufacturer of any commercial product and there is no sale of any product or publication during the recorded session.  There is no known conflict of interest for this CE module or the presenting faculty.