Special Events

Dr. John R. Jordan, Ph.D. – USA

Monday, 2nd July 2012

Bereavement after the sudden, unexpected, and violent death of a loved one creates one of the most difficult of loss experiences. The combination of grief and trauma responses creates a real challenge for even the most experienced of clinicians. This intensive workshop offers therapists an overview and update of the skills you need to work with clients after traumatic deaths, such as suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths.

After a brief review of new bereavement models and research findings, we will use the twin lenses of thanatology and traumatology to understand the impact of this type of loss. We will also explore
the implications of this perspective for assessment and an attachment informed approach to intervention. New techniques that are emerging to help traumatised mourners will be described. These include interventions for trauma reduction, narrative retelling of the death, and relational repair with the deceased.

The workshop will also include experiential use of one of the techniques by participants in small groups to facilitate learning. Drawing primarily on Dr. Jordan’s extensive experience working with survivors of suicide loss, the workshop will have wide applicability to work with people who have lost a loved one to any type of sudden or violent death. The training will be informed by research and clinical experience, and will include the use of didactic lecture, case discussion, and audio-visual presentation.

Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• identify prominent psychological themes that are common for individual and family survivors of traumatic loss,
• ascertain the assessment issues that are relevant to treatment planning with traumatic loss survivors,
• describe an attachment informed foundational model for the roles of the grief counsellor in working with traumatic loss,
• consider several promising new treatment techniques for complicated and traumatic grief,
• reflect on the impact of work with traumatic loss survivors on self-care for the clinician.

Seminar Format:

This seminar will include lecture, class discussion, case presentation, and experiential practice of techniques in small groups. Dr. Jordan’s teaching style encourages interaction with the audience, including ample opportunities for questions, discussion, and interaction with other participants.

Registration:

Click here to download the workshop flyer for full details and registration form.

Further Information