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GTMR Components

1)  Certification Core Courses (6 Modules / 3 Credits)

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The Core Courses are offered as a series of 3-hour online modules, or onsite full-day workshops that can be taken in any of several locations around the world each year.  All are required for GTMR Certification.  Learners may complete these courses in any sequence they desire. 

 

  • Grief and Its Complications (2 Modules):  Contemporary models of grief, including conceptualization and diagnosis of complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder.

 

  • Grief Therapy - A Trauma-Informed Approach (2 Modules): Trauma-oriented interventions to help grievers process the Event Story of the loss and integrate it into their larger self-narrative.

 

  • Grief Therapy - An Attachment-Informed Approach (2 Modules): Attachment-oriented interventions to help grievers access the Back Story of the relationship and reconstruct the continuing bond with the deceased.

2) Orientation to Meaning Reconstruction (4 Modules / 4 Credits)

 

Becoming proficient in facilitating clients’ meaning making about their losses and their changed lives requires a broad and deep grounding in models and methods of grief therapy.  To foster this, the Orientation Modules include a growing selection of presentations on particular approaches and clinical challenges, as well as periodic Book Club modules featuring group discussion of sets of readings from the Techniques for Grief Therapy series, which ensure a well-stocked clinical toolbox of practical therapeutic strategies.  Learners are required to complete at least four Orientation Modules for GTMR Certification. 

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3) GTMR Techniques Modules (6 Techniques / 6 Credits)
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Each module is focused on specific therapy tools or techniques that may be delivered through onsite workshops, live webinars or online recordings.  Learners briefly practice particular methods during the onsite workshops or live webinars.  In the online learning setting, learners are invited to reflect on these methods in their Responsive Journals.  Learners are required to learn at least six Techniques for GTMR Certification. 

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4)  GTMR Case Studies (2 Cases / 2 Credits)

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Each case study consists of video-recorded clinical sessions with a close process analysis to reveal the therapist’s moment-to-moment reading of the client’s need and readiness to engage in specific meaning reconstruction tasks.  Learners are required to complete at least two Case Studies through live webinars, online recordings or onsite workshops for GTMR Certification.  

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5)  GTMR Practicum Studio  (4 Studio Sessions / 4 Credits)
 
Learners form small groups and practice Meaning Reconstruction skills, with Portland Institute faculty serving as coaches, for role-play in a shared language.  Each session includes practice with learners taking turns in the role of the therapist, client or observer, followed by feedback and processing.  Learners are required to complete at least four Studio sessions for GTMR Certification.
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6)  GTMR Mentoring (3 Sessions / 3 Credits)

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Learners are required to fulfill at least three 1-hour individual Mentoring sessions in Meaning Reconstruction Grief Therapy with one of the Portland Institute faculty in a shared language.  These sessions may be conducted in face-to-face mode, or via phone or videoconference.  

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7)  GTMR Session Evaluation (1 Recording / 1 Credit)

 
Following the completion of all the above Components, learners need to submit one 50-minute video recording of an application of Meaning Reconstruction in grief therapy in an actual session or in role play, along with a transcript of the session.  The session is then evaluated for demonstration of competency in working with grieving clients from a meaning-making perspective.  Learners then either receive extensive written feedback or schedule a 1-hour feedback session with one of the Portland Institute faculty in a shared language.
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Meeting Our Faculty Team.
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