Centering Compassion Series | Holding Space for Ourselves: Cultivating Self-Compassion in Grief Support Work

Centering Compassion Series | Holding Space for Ourselves: Cultivating Self-Compassion in Grief Support Work

Professionals and volunteers who support grieving children and families often show up with deep empathy and open hearts—yet may find it difficult to extend the same care inward. This webinar explores the transformative power of self-compassion as a protective resource for those doing emotionally demanding work in the field of childhood bereavement.

Grounded in the research-based Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program developed by Drs. Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, this session will offer practical tools for responding to personal distress with kindness, reducing caregiver fatigue, and fostering emotional resilience. Participants will learn how self-compassion can strengthen their ability to stay present with grief—both their own and others’—without becoming overwhelmed or burned out.

Through a blend of guided practices, reflective exercises, and discussion, this webinar invites participants to explore how cultivating compassion for ourselves enhances our capacity to hold space for others. Whether you’re a counselor, social worker, educator, or volunteer, this session will support your ongoing journey of sustainable, heart-centered service.

 

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
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

Centering Compassion Series:

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the role of self-compassion in grief work and emotional resilience
  • Identify common barriers to self-kindness among helping professionals
  • Practice core self-compassion techniques applicable in daily life and work
  • Understand how mindful awareness supports healthy emotional boundaries

 

Speaker Bio:

Vira Salzburn, MS, MSc, is a certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with extensive experience delivering evidence-based compassion training to individuals, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. With a professional background in trauma-informed care, public health, and behavioral science, Vira integrates MSC practices into resilience-building programs that promote emotional wellbeing, reduce burnout, and strengthen communities.

Vira holds a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Troy University and a Graduate Certificate in Human Behavior from Harvard University Extension School. In addition to her role as Executive Director at Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, she serves as a trusted trainer and speaker on topics related to self-compassion, mindfulness, and resilience. Her teaching is known for being practical, heartfelt, and deeply human—offering participants tools to meet life’s challenges with kindness, courage, and clarity.

Centering Compassion Series | Light on the Dark Side of the Street: Living Well in a Loss and Trauma World

We were educated and trained in how to help grieving children and adults, but most of us had little training and preparation about how to live in healthy ways while being exposed to grief and loss on a daily basis. We often were left to develop our coping with little guidance or support. There are, however, ways of framing and approaching our work in helping those who grieve that support both ourselves and the people we serve. Too often our short-term coping strategies have created problems for coping in the long-term. Engaging too deeply leads to overwhelm and burnout. Distancing too much decreases our effectiveness and prevents us from the benefits of compassion satisfaction. In this webinar, we will explore ways to think about and do our work better for both ourselves and those we serve.

 

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

Centering Compassion Series:

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the relationships of intentionality, sustainability, and practice to self-stewardship
  • Identify health-promoting cognitive reframing responses to stress and suffering
  • Compare and contrast concepts of compassion, empathy, empathic strain, and burnout

 

Speaker Bio:

Greg Adams, LCSW, ACSW, FT, is Program Coordinator for the Center for Good Mourning and Staff Bereavement Support at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Greg has worked at ACH in a variety of roles and areas, including pediatric oncology and palliative care, since 1991. He is an adjunct professor with the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and has been an active volunteer with community and professional organizations. He is also author of Adam Gets Back in the Game, a children’s storybook about coping with grief and loss. He is married with two adult children.

 

Continuing Education (CE) Provider Information →

Centering Compassion Series | Mourning in Conflict: Navigating Ethical and Value Clashes in Bereavement

This webinar will broach the complexity of conflict in bereavement within families and between patients and providers. Grief brings with it complicated emotions that can cause tension especially when members of a family or provider and patients have “value clashes.”  These conflicts or value clashes can arise from differences in religious/spiritual beliefs, divergent value systems, and/or provider bias.  Unfortunately, there is a lack of training and dialogue surrounding the negative ramifications when conflict occurs in bereavement. Moreover, there is a lack of solutions and resources regarding the navigation of conflict in bereavement.  This training will provide an overview of common sources of conflict in bereavement as well as resources and innovative interventions to use with grieving families that help alleviate conflict.   Specifically, provider will use various helping profession(s) ethical codes to provide a framework for broaching issues of conflict in childhood bereavement; particularly the Association of Spiritual and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) ethical code.

 

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

Centering Compassion Series:

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify 3 common sources of conflict amongst family members during times of grief
  • Examine 3 sources of conflict that can occur between provider and patient during times of loss
  • Analyze 3 ethical codes as framework for navigating conflict in bereavement
  • Outline 2 potential sources of provider bias that can cause conflict during times of loss
  • Examine 3-5 tools that can be used to help reduce sources of conflict during times of bereavement

 

Speaker Bio:

Kailey Bradley PhD, LPCC-S, NCC, is licensed counselor who has conducted over 100 peer-reviewed presentations on topics related to bereavement. Specifically, she has presented on topics related to the ethics of spirituality and religious themes in counseling children and adolescents. She has a background in hospice bereavement care, and is also an adjunct professor in thanatology where she teaches courses on childhood bereavement, pediatric hospice care, expressive arts in counseling, and complicated grief.   Lastly, she owns her own counseling practice and recently obtained a doctorate in counselor education and supervision.

 

 

Continuing Education (CE) Provider Information →

Supporting Widowed Parents, Strengthening Families: A Holistic Approach to Grief

This webinar will focus on the psychosocial functioning of parents who have lost a spouse or partner and are raising children on their own.  The presenter will provide an overview of relevant research, insights from support groups specifically for widowed parents will be shared, and recommendations for how to support parents in ways that are also healthy for the grieving child.

 

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

 

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Summarize research findings relevant to this population
  • Understand the unique challenges facing widowed parents
  • Intervene with grieving families in ways that support widowed parents

 

Speaker Bio:

Justin Yopp, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UNC Chapel Hill.  Dr. Yopp co-directs the Widowed Parent Program, which provides support for and conducts research with parents who have lost a spouse or partner and are raising children on their own.  Dr. Yopp has run support groups for the population for nearly 15 years. He co-authored The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life, which was published by Oxford University Press in 2018. Prior to joining the faculty at UNC, Dr. Yopp served as a psychologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

 

Continuing Education (CE) Provider Information →

Introduction to Grief Support Series | Basics of Leading a Grief Group

This webinar will provide the basic tools to facilitate a grief group for children, teens, and adults. After attending this webinar, participants will be able to feel comfortable facilitating or co-facilitating a grief group. They will be given tools and ways to adapt to a quick-moving group atmosphere.

 

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only. 

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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: 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: Novice – 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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Provide leadership skills in leading a group of grieving children, teens, and/or adults
  • Practice and apply the skills of communication, awareness, and reflection
  • Apply self-care techniques better provide support for themselves to help others
  • Flexibility to adapt to a high-paced group environment

 

Speaker Bios:

Gabby Gauthier, MA, LPC, a licensed professional counselor and program director at the Children’s Grief Center, has been providing grief support for children, teens, and their families for 8 years. She facilitates groups for all ages to help families navigate their grief journey.

Gabby has a passion for encouraging the expression of grief, and teaching others how to feel comfort in the discomfort. She has provided training to volunteers at the grief center, as well as presenting at the National Alliance for Children’s Grief Conference.

Integrating EMDR to Support Children Who Are Grieving

Children who are grieving often face challenges in processing emotions and adapting to loss in developmentally appropriate ways. This presentation explores the integration of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with play-based approaches to support children navigating the complexities of grief. Participants will delve into the core principles of EMDR, including its eight-phase protocol, and discover how to tailor it specifically for children who are grieving.

The session highlights the role of play and creative expression as vital tools to complement EMDR, making interventions more engaging and effective for young clients. Attendees will learn at least three practical, play-based techniques to help children externalize emotions, process their grief, and rebuild a sense of stability.

Additionally, participants will gain insights into three trauma-informed strategies for integrating EMDR into grief work. These strategies are designed to address the unique developmental, emotional, and cognitive needs of children, ensuring a holistic and compassionate approach to care.

The presentation includes guided worksheets to help attendees create a structured framework for future EMDR and play-based interventions tailored to their clients. By combining EMDR’s structured, evidence-based methodology with the creativity and adaptability of play, participants will leave equipped to support grieving children in processing emotions, building resilience, and discovering paths toward growth and adjustment after loss.

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge.

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the core principles of EMDR and describe its eight-phase protocol with specific applications for grieving children.
  • List at least three developmentally appropriate, play-based approaches to enhance EMDR interventions for children experiencing grief.
  • Describe at least three trauma-informed strategies for integrating EMDR into children’s grief support to facilitate emotional processing and foster resilience.
  • Demonstrate practical skills in applying EMDR and play-based interventions to address the complexities of childhood grief effectively.

 

Speaker Bio:

Stephanie Heitkemper, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, FT is the owner of Resilient Minds Counseling which specializes in working with individuals, children, and families around change including grief and trauma. Stephanie finds energy in utilizing play therapy (as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor), creative expression, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (EMDRIA Approved Consultant) and. bibliotherapy in her counseling practice, program creation, and presentations. Stephanie serves on the board of directors for Heart Light Center (2017), a Denver-based grief support and education center as well as Camp JoJo (2020), a camp dedicated to supporting teens impacted by suicide. In addition to Resilient Minds Counseling, Stephanie is the Clinical Director of Camp Erin NYC, which is part of Cope. Stephanie’s self-care includes early morning coffee, CrossFit, and Ironman training as well as exploring Colorado with her husband and beloved boxer.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

 

Introduction to Grief Support Series | Grief-Tech: The Intersection of Grief and Technology

In today’s digital age, technology is reshaping how we experience and process grief. This webinar introduces new professionals to the evolving landscape of grief-tech, exploring its history, current applications, and future potential. We’ll examine how digital platforms and tools are being used to process and support grief expression and discuss the ethical considerations of using technology in grief support. The webinar will also explore practical ways to incorporate grief-tech into professional practice. We’ll conclude by considering the future of grief-tech, including developments in AI and machine learning for personalized grief support.

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only. 

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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: 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: Novice – 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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the evolution of grief-tech and its current applications
  • Identify ethical considerations and best practices for implementing technology-based interventions
  • Explore at least three ways to incorporate grief-tech tools or platforms into your professional practice to enhance bereavement support

 

Speaker Bio:

Melissa Lunardini, PhD, MA, MBA, FT, is the Chief Clinical Officer for Help Texts and CEO of Radical Grief. Melissa has 20 years of experience in program design and development in grief, loss, and trauma for healthcare, academia, for-profit, and non-profit industries. She is an international speaker and trainer. Melissa strives to remain current with trends and research in the industry as a published researcher and peer reviewer.

 

Crossing the Grief Bridge: Supporting Siblings Coping with Loss

Sibling loss can have a significant impact on children. Children may struggle to understand why their sibling has died, and they may feel responsible or blame themselves for what happened. The loss of a sibling can also affect a child’s sense of identity and place within their family. They may feel like they have lost a part of themselves and struggle to navigate their new role in the family dynamic. This experiential workshop will allow attendees to learn a new therapeutic activity that can be used for siblings individually or within a group. Through the metaphor of crossing over a wooden bridge with planks representing struggles and hopes, attendees will have a deeper understanding of their grief journey. After self-reflection and discussion, attendees can facilitate this therapeutic activity with a diverse population coping with grief and loss.

Materials needed for this webinar include:

  • Preferably different-colored popsicle sticks. If those aren’t available, regular popsicle sticks with several different colored markers will work as well.
  • A hot glue gun or craft glue.
  • A large piece of cardstock or cardboard.
  • A small paper bowl.

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks. 
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify grief reactions in children coping with sibling loss.
  • Demonstrate self-reflection skills to deepen the learning process.
  • Create a therapeutic activity allowing children to process, explore, and express grief.

 

Speaker Bios:

Shani Thornton, MS, CCLS, has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for 17 years. She started her career in a pediatric inpatient rehabilitation setting, transitioned to the community, and launched a private practice in the Sacramento region of Northern California. Shani supports families coping with life’s challenges of illness, trauma, loss, and transitions. Using therapeutic play, creative arts, education, and empathy, she helps children process these challenges and create a coping plan to support their needs. She offers in-home visits, phone/virtual consultations, caregiver workshops, and support to community programs, hospice agencies, and schools. Shani’s expertise has been working with families coping with a terminal diagnosis, end-of-life support, and grief. She recently co-authored a chapter on private practice in The Role of Child Life Specialists in Community Settings. She has been a chair member of the Association of Child Life Professionals and the California Association of Play Therapy and volunteers as a burn camp leader for the Firefighters Burn Institute. Shani is a sought-after presenter for many local, regional, and national conferences and reaches many followers through her insightful blogs and publications.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults in Their Grief Journey

This engaging presentation will provide helpful strategies when working with adolescents and young adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. We will discuss grief reactions and changes in family dynamics, as well as ways to promote supportive relationships. We will examine interactive activities and creative approaches in young adult programming.

members only iconThis playback is available to active NACG members only.

Members must be logged into the member portal to access the playback. 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 →

 

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks. 
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or working knowledge.
Format: Live Interactive Webinar

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Describe helpful strategies when working with adolescents and young adults who have experienced a death.
  • Identify various creative activities that are helpful when working with young adults.
  • Create various interactive activities for young adult programming.

 

Speaker Bios:

Dana Minor is the Program Director at The WARM Place, a grief support center for children, in Fort Worth, TX. She started at The WARM Place in 1994 and has served as a houseparent, facilitator, monitor, and group director. Dana has over 25 years of experience working in children’s bereavement and began her work at El Tesoro de la Vida Grief Camp. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Certified School Counselor. Dana served on the Speaker’s Bureau for the National Center for Youth Issues and has taught a variety of courses in the field of psychology at Tarrant County College.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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

CBEM Key Topic Report 2024: The Relationship between Childhood Bereavement and Household Income

The Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) developed by Judi’s House/JAG Institute approximates rates of U.S. children who will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they reach adulthood. Each year, Judi’s House releases standard estimates of childhood bereavement rates in the U.S. and all 50 states, as well as a CBEM Key Topic Report exploring factor of interest, such as geography, cause of death, race/ethnicity. This webinar reviews the 2024 CBEM Key Topic Report examining the relationship between childhood bereavement and household income in the United States. Income is a critical social determinant of health that is associated with a range of outcomes, including early mortality. Overall, findings from CBEM analyses show that lower income is powerfully associated with higher childhood bereavement rates. In the vast majority of U.S. states, children in the lowest income counties had the highest bereavement rates, and the magnitude of the difference was typically substantial.

During this webinar, the presenters will review the process employed to create income categories in each state, describe the methodology for the analyses, and summarize the results across the 50 states. Implications of the findings for families, community organizations, advocates, and policymakers will be explored along with recommendations for transformational change.

Download the slides →

 

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 →

Continuing Education (CE) credits are not available for webinar playbacks.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
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

 

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the relationship between median household income and childhood bereavement rates in the United States.
  • Quantify the magnitude of the difference in CBEM results for children in each US state’s lowest and highest median household income counties.
  • Propose policies and practices that can address childhood bereavement using income disparities as an important context.

 

Speaker Bios:

Jeff Lin, PhD, is the Director of Evaluation and Research of Judi’s House/JAG Institute. He has a passion for applying research evidence to develop public policies and practices that best serve the community. With decades of experience working in partnership with public and non-profit agencies, he has seen the impact that good research can have on people’s lives. Jeff was a sociology professor for 15 years, focusing his research and teaching on addressing pressing public issues such as criminal justice and youth services reforms. This experience deeply informs his commitment to producing data and evidence that can help bereaved children and families.

Michaeleen (Micki) Burns, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer at Judi’s House/JAG Institute (JH/JAG) and adjunct faculty at the University of Colorado. JH/JAG is a comprehensive family bereavement center in Metro Denver. She serves on the board of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief and is an advisor to Speaking Grief, a national public media initiative seeking to the grief experience. A Licensed Psychologist with more than two decades of experience providing therapeutic assessment and support to families facing adversity, Micki has witnessed the lasting impact of unaddressed grief. Her practice is focused on supporting families who have experienced the loss of a child and specializes in working with those grieving suicide and overdose deaths. She is dedicated to ensuring appropriate care is available for all and raising childhood bereavement to a level of critical public importance. Before becoming the CEO, Micki oversaw the direct service, research, and training departments at JH/JAG, working towards a vision where no child is alone in grief.

 

New York Life Foundation logo

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