This is not a live event. Should you purchase, you will be sent the links where you can watch these pre-recorded sessions. The webinars were recorded in March 2020. 

Webinar Series Overview
In today's society animals are considered part of the family unit. It is not then surprising that those who experience the death of a companion animal experience significant levels of grief, with symptomology and characteristics comparable to that of a human. However, the Human-animal loss experience may go unrecognised or validated resulting in the bereaved individuals being highly vulnerable to insufficient societal support and unresolved grief. This webinar series will explore the phenomena of grieving after the death of a companion animal and provide ideas and strategies that can be effective in offering support to those who are grieving. This is an Introductory level webinar series designed for anyone working with those who have experienced the death of a companion animal, such as veterinarians, vet nurses, counsellors, teachers, therapists, psychologists and other allied health professionals.  

Part One: Introduction to Grief and Trauma
Learning Outcomes: 
1. Understand the significance of having an animal die through current grief, trauma and bereavement theory
2. Identify how grief manifests in the client, family and support worker
3. Understand the importance of rituals and continuing bond practices.

Part Two: Supporting the Bereaved  
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify a range of strategies that can be used to support people and families who have experienced the death of a companion animal 
2. Understand the different support needs required following different types of death
3. Identify when someone may need to be referred for professional support

Part Three: Working With Distressed Clients
Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand the importance of communication skills when working with distressed clients who have experienced the death of their companion animal. 
2. Learn techniques to respond appropriately to distressed clients
3. Identify when people may need a referral for professional support

Part Four: Self-care
Learning Outcomes: 
1. Understand what self care is and the importance of self care for those working in the field of grief and bereavement
2. Gaining and understanding of Vicarious Trauma, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
3. Develop a practical understanding of a range of personal and professional self-care strategies to identify ways you can care for yourself as a support person who may also have a companion animal.

Presenter Bio: 
Bianca is a Bereavement Counsellor, Educator, Supervisor and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer with expertise in the development, delivery and coordination of support services and programs. Bianca also comes with specialist knowledge and experience in working with children and adolescents. She is also the co-author of The Yellow Leaf a children’s book due for release in 2020, helping children to understand that grief is not linear and that there is no perfect way to grieve. Bianca has as a strong interest in companion animal loss and has recently published research, in which grief severity was investigated and compared between those who have experienced the death of a human and those of an animal. Bianca has Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Graduate Qualification in Bereavement Counselling from the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

Prices

• Member - $200.00
• Non Member $300.00

Cancellation and Refund Policy

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement reserves the right to cancel education programs that do not achieve minimum participation, in which case all fees will be refunded.

Registration cancellations will not be accepted unless made in writing to the centre. Cancellations made more than thirty (30) days prior to the event date will be refunded less 25% of the registration fee to cover administration costs.

No registration refunds will be made after this date. Please note: The full invoiced amount will still be payable in the event of non-attendance on the day.

Terms & Conditions

ACGB's program and program content is copyrighted. Its use and dissemination is restricted and unauthorised duplication is prohibited. Viewers agree to use the product under the purchase agreement terms, which restrict number of viewers based on registration type. Individual Registration - Provides one person, the registrant, access to the webcast or DVD for personal viewing. Multi-Viewer Registration - Provides one person, the registrant, access to the webcast for streaming from one computer to a group of people or the DVD for viewing at one location. CE Credits for this program may only be obtained through ACGB. CE instructions will be provided to the registered contact for the organisation (or to the registered individual) prior to the live air date and to attendees at the end of the program.