Overview
Perinatal loss refers to the death of a baby during gestation and up to 28 days after birth. Because these deaths are often sudden, without warning and completely unexpected, the grief that follows these losses is often disenfranchised.
It is widely stated in the literature that the death of a child is one of the most intense forms of grief. The death of a child seems to violate the very laws of nature. Parents may feel that they have failed in their fundamental roles as parents – to protect their child. They may struggle due to the lack of information and reasoning behind the death of their baby. Often the relationship between parents and child is not recognised if the child dies prior to birth. Our society provides minimal social rules for the way in which unborn or recently born children are to be mourned. There are no social rules regarding how friends and family members should respond to such a loss. This non-supportive environment places parents, siblings, and other members of the social network at risk of disenfranchised grief.
In this workshop, participants will focus on the patterns of grief for families who have had a pregnancy end in miscarriage, medical termination or stillbirth. We will examine different strategies to help these families attend to the physical effects of their grief, while understanding the possible connections to the cognitive, emotional, spiritual and environmental aspects of perinatal loss. The factors that may be useful in understanding and assisting post-loss adjustment will also be covered.
Designed For
Professionals working with people who are experiencing perinatal grief, such as social workers, chaplains, maternal and child health care workers, counsellors, nurses, midwives therapists, psychologists and other allied health professionals.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- describe the ways in which society has historically responded to perinatal death, and the influence of this on the bereaved
- identify and describe the range of issues, questions and experiences that face the perinatally bereaved
- identify effective support strategies and resources that can be used by those experiencing perinatal bereavement
- have increased confidence in working with individuals affected by these issues
- utilise
an understanding of perinatal bereavement to inform effective perinatal
support to minimise the risk of complex bereavement.
Presenter
Angela Scuderi
BSW(Hons), Grad.Cert. Narrative Th. Grad. Cert. BerCouns & Int,
Cert. CCPT, Cert. SPT Grad.Dip. Education, Cert. IV TAE, Accr. Mem.
AASW, Ass. Mem PTA, CBP
Angela is an Accredited Mental Health Social Workers, a Certified
Bereavement practitioner and a Child Centred Play Therapist in private
practice based in Melbourne's north. Prior to private practice she
worked in the health and community sector for over 17 years holding a
range of positions in Bereavement, Grief and Loss, Family work and
Mental Health.
As a mental health professional, she has worked with adults, young
people, children and families experiencing difficulties with
bereavement, relationships, parenting, mental health, violence, abuse
and trauma. Her family work inspired her to specialise in Non Directive
Child Centered Play Therapy and Sand Play Therapy. Her area of interest
is attachment, grief and trauma and is currently completing EMDR
training. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy and is
currently completing her Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Aside from counselling, Angela has co-ordinated and co-facilitated
groups for young people, children and adults, co-authored a manual for a
children's grief group program and presented at conferences. Angela
also has over 8 years experience as a TAFE educator, trainer and
assessor where she developed and delivered programs in Mental Health,
and Community Services work for students and industry.
Angela is an Accredited Member of the Australian Association of Social
Workers, a Certified Bereavement Counsellor with ACGB and an Associate
Member of Play Therapy Australia.
Venue
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Date
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Times
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Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
253 Wellington Road
Mulgrave VIC 3170
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Tuesday, 24th October 2017
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9:30 am - 4:30 pm
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Prices
ACGB member
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$290.00 |
Non-member price
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$345.00 |
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.