Overview
It
is only through knowing ourselves that we can be authentically in
relationship with others. Ironically, it is only through relationship
with others that we can know ourselves. (Otto Rank)
In
the field of grief and bereavement, it comes as no surprise that
spirituality and religion can play an important role in the healing
process of bereaved individuals. While there are some researchers who
remain conflicted as to whether spirituality/religion is beneficial to a
client’s mental health, many studies report that there are more
positive effects of having any form of spirituality than not (Becker,
Xander, Blum et al., 2007). This
workshop’s aim is to explore from both a mindful and experiential focus;
the subjects of spirituality/religion and transilience in the context
of bereavement support. Part of this exploration will be to take into
consideration May’s (1999) notion that ‘we are so divorced from
ourselves, because our own world is left out of the picture’. Participants
will also have time to practise and contemplate their own, and their
clients’, belief systems in the context of holistic bereavement support.
Designed for
Professionals working with those experiencing grief and bereavement,
such as counsellors, nurses, therapists, psychologists, teachers,
pastoral care workers and other allied health professionals.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will understand experientially:
- how recent literature and research substantiates the importance of working with a client’s spiritual worldview,
- how both the counsellor and client are not separate elements, but are interconnected in the therapeutic relationship,
- how to invite the cooperation of the unconscious of clients from many forms of spiritual faiths and backgrounds,
- the
idea of the therapist being a co-explorer who helps the client discover
the reality of meanings and meaning potentials as they move
‘transiliently’ through their grief journey.
Venue
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
253 Wellington Road, Mulgrave VIC 3170
Presenter
Michal deWilloughby
BA (Couns), MPsychotherapy&Couns, SpecPostGradTrainingMBCPT, VocGradCertBerCouns&Int , CertIVTAE
Michal has trained extensively in the field of psychotherapy and
counselling, and has been working with therapeutic groups and one-to-one
counselling since 2003. She specialises in trauma (extreme stress),
trauma (grief and loss), and bereavement counselling and intervention,
with her therapeutic background being one of an existential
mindfulness-based somatic therapy. Michal also has broad experience in
training and educating adults in counselling and group work. Michal is
currently a Specialist Bereavement Counsellor, Support Groups
Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, and an Educator within the education
program at the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. In her role
as Educator, Michal has delivered customised workplace training,
university lectures and professional development workshops.