Introduction to Grief Support Series | Heroes, Hashtags, and Healing: Using Pop Culture to Connect with Grieving Kids and Teens

Introduction to Grief Support Series | Heroes, Hashtags, and Healing: Using Pop Culture to Connect with Grieving Kids and Teens

This webinar is part of an ongoing series that will provide a foundation of introductory information for anyone working with or providing support to children, teens, and families who may be grieving. This series is not progressive; sessions can be viewed in any order.

Kids and teens often process grief through the lens of the media they consume, including superheroes, TV shows, movies, video games, and social media trends. By incorporating these familiar characters and stories into grief programming, facilitators can make activities more relatable and engaging. This session explores practical ways to integrate pop culture into grief curriculum, such as using superhero resilience metaphors, TikTok-inspired activities, or movie clips as discussion starters. Participants will engage in hands-on examples of adapting familiar stories into therapeutic activities while ensuring sensitivity and inclusivity. Attendees will leave with creative tools to better meet young people where they are, making group sessions both meaningful and memorable.

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for this webinar.
Target Audience: Students, interns, individuals entering the field of childhood bereavement, new staff members, new counselors, group facilitators, volunteers, anyone who wants to invest in their practice.
Instructional Level: Basic – This best describes a topic or issue that the prospective audience is encountering for the first time in a meaningful way.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

Not currently a member? Become a NACG member today! Your membership will provide access to free monthly webinars with CEs on current topics to support you in your work, discounts on educational events, access to all webinar playbacks, and more. To learn more and become a member to access this webinar for no additional cost, visit HERE →

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify at least three benefits of incorporating pop culture references into grief programming.
  • Design one activity using a superhero, movie, or social media trend to support grief expression.
  • Adapt pop culture integration strategies for different age groups.
  • Implement at least two strategies that strengthen engagement and reduce chaos in group settings.

 

Speaker Bios:

Laurel Neitling joined New Hope in July 2023 as the Circles of Hope Program Manager and transitioned to the role of Development and Communications Manager in 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in management from Central Michigan University and completed her MBA at Western Governors University in 2024. Before joining the staff team, Laurel volunteered with New Hope as a support group facilitator and has presented at numerous conferences and outreach events, including the 2024 and 2025 NACG National Symposium on Children’s Grief. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside New Hope’s dedicated volunteers and staff to provide compassionate grief support services to the community.

Susan Arnould is the Assistant Director at the New Hope Center for Grief Support in Northville, Michigan. With a college background in counseling and early childhood education, she brings a compassionate, developmentally informed approach to supporting individuals through loss. Susan oversees programming for adults, teens, and children, guiding her staff as they deliver meaningful support groups, programs, and resources to those who have experienced loss. She also plays a key role in coordinating New Hope’s events and marketing efforts, helping the organization expand its reach and strengthen its connection to the community.

 

Refund/cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration, please contact Megan Lopez at megan.lopez@childrengrieve.org or at (432) 288-4688. Please note that no refunds will be given.

To request accessibility accommodations: The National Alliance for Children’s Grief is committed to providing universal access to all our events. Please contact Megan Lopez at megan.lopez@childrengrieve.org or at (432) 288-4688 to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Creative Pathways Through Grief and Loss: Culturally Affirming Approaches with Black Children and Families

This workshop explores the use of creative therapies—art, music, storytelling, and movement—in therapeutic work with Black clients navigating grief and loss. Grounded in cultural humility and historical awareness, the session highlights how culturally affirming practices foster resilience, connection, and healing. Participants will leave with practical strategies and interactive tools to integrate creative, culturally responsive approaches into their work with children, youth, and families who are grieving.

 

Not currently a member? Become a NACG member today! Your membership will provide access to free monthly webinars with CEs on current topics to support you in your work, discounts on educational events, access to all webinar playbacks, and more. To learn more and become a member to access this webinar for no additional cost, visit HERE →

 

Target Audience: The event is for mental health professionals, educators, grief counselors, social workers, bereavement support staff, community members, funeral professionals, and volunteers – anyone who works with or supports children and families who are bereaved.
Instructional Level: Basic – This best describes a topic or issue that the prospective audience is encountering for the first time in a meaningful way
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

 

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Explore creative therapies (art, music, storytelling, movement) in grief work
  • Understand unique grief responses in Black communities
  • Learn culturally affirming strategies for therapeutic work
  • Foster resilience and connection through practice

 

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Brianne (Brie) L. Overton, FT, LPC-S, NCC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois and Missouri. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Education in Counseling and Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and her MA in Thanatology from Hood College. She is the author of My Grief Comfort Book – Creative Activities to Help Kids Cope with Loss and Keep Memories Alive. Her current research explores the grief gap and its impact on BIPOC, young adults navigating terminal illness and changes to their life trajectory, as well as supporting bereaved family members after loss. Dr. Overton has extensive experience working in nonprofit settings, supporting grieving youth and families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver by providing resources, advocacy, and education. She previously served as Chief Clinical Officer for Experience Camps, a national nonprofit that offers no-fee, clinically informed programs for children who have experienced death-related losses. In addition to educating and supervising master’s level clinicians, she has spent 18 years in thanatology, offering grief counseling, death education, suicide prevention and intervention, and consultation.

 

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Supported by the philanthropic investment
of the New York Life Foundation.