Using Fictional Characters to Help Children and Adolescents Who Are Grieving Live Interactive Webinar

Reading about fictional characters’ grief and loss experiences can help children and adolescents deal with their own grief and loss. Many stories written for children and adolescents, like the Harry Potter books, are filled with loss and death. But literature, like magic, can open new worlds for people, and show many possible ways to survive losses and challenges and even flourish beyond them. Using reading and storytelling to help improve a person’s mental health is often referred to as bibliotherapy. This session will present activities based on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series to help children and adolescents deal with grief and loss, as well as activities based on other books to help children who are grieving (including Everett Anderson’s Long Goodbye, Charlotte’s Web, Where the Red Fern Grows, and The Hunger Games). The session’s goal is to give participants many practical individual and group activities, including discussion questions, worksheets, and crafts, that can help children who are grieving.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

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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:

Summarize how bibliotherapy can help children and adolescents who are grieving.
Describe how reading the fictional works presented may help children who are grieving.
Discuss specific activities using fictional characters that may be helpful for specific age levels and situations of children who are grieving.

Speaker Bios:

Kathryn Markell, PhD teaches Child and Adolescent Development and Death and Dying classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. She has published and presented scholarly work on how to help grieving children and adolescents, including co-authoring the book “The Children Who Lived: Using Harry Potter and Other Fictional Characters to Help Grieving Children and Adolescents”.

Marc Markell, PhD teaches at Worsham College of Mortuary Science; he is also a professor emeritus at St. Cloud State University. He teaches Death Education for non-grieving children. Marc is a certified Thanatologist and Death and Grief Studies. He presents locally, nationally, and internationally. Marc has published three books on grief, as well as book chapters and numerous articles.

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

Centering Intersectionality Within the Field of Childhood Bereavement

It is commonly believed that grief is different for everyone and that we should not compare one child’s grief to another’s. Why can grief differ so much from one child to another, even within the same family system? When a child experiences a death loss, adults in their system may attribute a child’s thoughts and behaviors to being a “grief response” and center the child’s grief as their primary motivating factor. This unintentional oversimplification of what the child may be experiencing can make grief the only lens by which adults see children who are grieving. It can potentially harm a child’s health and well-being if supportive adults only see a child as a “single story.” This presentation will use the concept of intersectionality introduced by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw to help adults who support children see them as the complex, socially constructed people they are.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

Explain Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality.
Identify areas of their practice where intersectionality can be incorporated into their work with children who are grieving.
Create an intake process that uses principles of intersectionality to help portray a more complete picture of a grieving child.

Speaker Bios:

Adam W. Carter, Ph.D., is a professional counselor and counselor educator who received his doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, with an emphasis in multicultural counseling, from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Adam has taught courses in CACREP-accredited master’s level clinical mental health programs and doctoral-level courses in counselor education and supervision and served as the Trauma-Informed Counseling Graduate Certificate coordinator at Northern Illinois University. During his time at Northern Illinois University, he founded the Center for Grief and Loss at the University’s Community Counseling and Training Center, where he provided clinical supervision and education to counselors in training. Adam’s ongoing research and scholarship program focuses on early childhood grief responses and preparing counselors-in-training to work with grieving children. Adam’s scholarly work also includes numerous peer-reviewed presentations focusing on topics such as trauma-informed counseling, play therapy, and developing research skills in counseling practitioners. His clinical experience is broad, having worked as a counselor and supervisor in community mental health clinics, in-home intensive settings, community advocacy agencies, and private practice.

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

The Rhythm of Emotion: The Use of Music Therapy to Give Voice to Grieving Children & Adolescents

This presentation will explore the use of music therapy as a powerful tool for grieving children and adolescents. Participants will have the opportunity to gain information and knowledge about the interconnection between child and adolescent grief and music therapy, discover ways of incorporating music therapy techniques with this population through clinical examples and guided practice, and engage in music therapy experiences that may be used in self-exploration of their own grief journey.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

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:

Define music therapy.
Discuss the role of music therapy in grief and bereavement.
Describe 3 music therapy experiences that can be used in child and adolescent grief.

Speaker Bios:

Amy Entwistle, MMT, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist, is a Child and Adolescent Grief Coordinator at Four Seasons. Amy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music performance with a minor in psychology from High Point University. She earned her Master of Music Therapy degree from Appalachian State University. She has worked as a hospice music therapist and bereavement counselor. Amy uses a body-mind-centered approach and various creative art modalities to meet the needs of grieving children, adolescents, and their families.

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

Write Your Heart Out: Self Expression to cope with grief, loss, trauma, & stress

The W.H.O. recently reported COVID-19 pandemic has caused a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide and called for all countries to step up mental health services and support. Additionally, the coronavirus and the public health measures designed to prevent its spread have been shown to have had a profound negative effect on many young people. Writing and poetry are powerful tools to help process and cope not only with COVID-19 effects, but also for helping those dealing with grief, loss, trauma, and stress management in general. Yet, children, teens, and the adults in their lives often avoid writing because they think they aren’t a “good writer”. Attend this workshop to help them learn tools to overcome that negative self-talk barrier. Apply the research about free-form writing to help children and teens have a positive impact on healing and the immune system. In this interactive lecture/discussion, experiential, and personal reflection workshop, we will explore and experience poetry and written activities. Caring professionals can use the activities to help families process their grief and trauma, improve coping, and prevent stress & burnout.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

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:

Implement tools to identify and heal negative self-talk that interferes with writing and poetic expression
Utilize journaling/writing techniques to help with grief, loss, trauma, and stress.
Utilize poetry techniques to help with grief, loss, trauma, and stress.

Speaker Bios:

Michelle Post is a psychotherapist (LMFT) and coach in Los Angeles. She has specialized in grief since 2003. Her grief work has paralleled stress management teaching since 2000. Since 2007, she deepened focus on burnout prevention for professionals. In 2019, Michelle launched her own international business to coach others via live & online training, self-care retreats, and she travels to teach and consult. You can read more about her story and professional credentials at: www.PostInternationalInc.com and www.PostFamilyCounseling.com. Michelle uses transparency, vulnerability, and personal experience in her teaching like the fact that her friends have nicknamed her home, ‘The Magical Fun Palace.’

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

When Hearts are Stretched: Fostering Compassion Resilience Amidst a Pandemic

For many care providers, filling your own metaphorical cup is easier said than done. The spark that draws us to our work can begin to dim when faced with daily pressures and the mounting stress among our teams. Workplace dynamics, time pressures, personal stressors, and repeated immersion in tough stories can take a toll. Then – we find ourselves a second year into a global pandemic. What anchors us during these times? What tools keep difficult conversations constructive and help us to productively manage the expressed anger and stress of others? How can we continually regenerate ourselves, interact in ever-more effective ways, and set up systems for healthy workplaces? Too often, workplace wellness oversimplifies the complexity of systems. Together we’ll explore practical strategies related to individual employees, collegial dynamics, and larger work structures – with the goal of enhancing well-being and tools to address trauma and chronic stress. May you leave feeling inspired and empowered with tools to help you, your colleagues, and your employees keep on keeping on.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

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:

Identify impacts of pervasive exposure to stress and trauma.
Differentiate between individual, interpersonal, and organizational wellness strategies
Identify two tools to address chronic stress and grief amidst COVID.

Speaker Bios:

Tina Barrett, EdD, LCPC is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Tamarack Grief Resource Center in Montana. Strengthening and stabilizing individuals and families following profound loss through groups, camps, counseling, and workshops, Tina has spent the past 20 years specializing in outdoor-based grief support. She has trained and supervised grief group facilitators since 1997 with special attention to strengthening family-systems and trauma recovery. Dr. Tina Barrett leads workshops for grief professionals at national conferences including ADEC and NBCC, and serves on the Board of Advisors and as a Senior Consultant for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors).

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

Rebuilding & Reengaging: School-Based Grief Support Post Pandemic

We know the impact that COVID-19 has had on students’ social development, mental health, and academic progress. This experience has also significantly changed how our schools operate. Schools with high levels of grief that need support have competing priorities and limited staff capacity. This presentation will identify some of the various barriers to school-based grief programming and explore solutions to help programs rebuild their school-based grief support through engaging new school partners and re-engaging previous school partners.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

Discuss the changes and challenges in administering school-based grief programs.
Implement strategies to engage new school partners.
Discuss ways to renew and steward relationships with lapsed school and community connections.

Speaker Bios:

Elizabeth Carson is the State Outreach Manager at Kate’s Club. She works closely with the Program Director on KC Connects, the outreach program of Kate’s Club. As State Outreach Manager, Liz works to increase awareness of Kate’s Club within the broader Atlanta community, so that Kate’s Club can meet the needs of more grieving children in the Atlanta area. She also works to develop new partnerships with schools and community organizations, as well as to further engage existing Kate’s Club partnerships. Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Liz graduated from Emory University in May 2014 with a B.S. in Anthropology and Human Biology and a master’s in social work from the University of Florida in 2022. While enrolled at Emory, Liz was student director of the Emory chapter of Camp Kesem, a national organization that provides free camps for children coping with a parent’s cancer. She is also a graduate of Emory’s Community Building and Social Change Fellowship Program, where she worked within Atlanta communities on projects pertaining to asset-based community development. These experiences have made Liz a strong believer in the importance of peer support and community engagement.

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

Connect, Build, and Grow! Combining group work, play therapy and Lego building to explore grief

Discover how building Legos can also build social-emotional well-being! This interactive workshop focuses on the use of Lego-based therapeutic interventions for exploring grief. Participants will learn about the “Skillful Builders” model and will explore the benefits of group play therapy to better understand and cope with grief. Participants will also learn therapeutic techniques for implementing Lego-based play into individual and group therapy sessions.

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

Explain how to plan and conduct group session using Lego based activities and grief interventions.
Identify three (3) prominent dynamics in play therapy groups which support grieving children.
Describe two (2) grounding skills and two (2) containment skills that can be implemented in group.

Speaker Bios:

Stephanie Heitkemper, MA MFT, LPC, RPT, FT specializes in working with children and families around change including grief, trauma, and transition. Stephanie finds energy in utilizing play, creative expression and bibliotherapy in her practice and program creation. Stephanie is the owner of Resilient Minds Counseling, PLLC in the Denver Metro area and the Camp Therapist for Camp Jojo. Camp Jojo focus’ on supporting teens who have been impacted by suicide in a unique model that weaves mental health education along hands on adventure.

Meredith Hammond, MA, LPC, RPT-S is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with a private practice in Northglenn, Colorado. Meredith holds a post-graduate certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, is trained in EMDR I/II and Brainspotting. For Meredith, play therapy is a passion and she seeks to incorporate the healing power of play into her work with clients of all ages. Meredith’s passion about family and play continue outside the office, as she avidly enjoys running and enjoying the outdoors with her three sons and husband.

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

A Win-Win: Utilizing Interns to Support Your Agency While Training Future Grief Professionals

The students of today will soon become your employees and colleagues of tomorrow. Interns can provide a critical resource for agencies to enhance current efforts, grow, and develop new strategies; they also provide a way for your agency to develop competent professionals and “pay it forward”. Join us for this collaborative session to explore ways to capitalize on the energy, creativity, and passion of student interns. Explore ways to deepen academic partnerships, recruit students, and develop robust training and supervision strategies to ensure a win-win for agencies and students alike. Whether you are just getting started or have been supervising students for years, everyone is welcome to join this conversation. Brought to you by two interns-turned-employees, now working as agency and university professionals, and one of their former practicum students!

This playback is available to active NACG members only.

Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

Implement strategies to recruit academic partners and student interns.
Assess agency’s capacity, strengths, and needs for student interns.
Integrate best practices for training and supervising student interns.

Speaker Bios:

Jennifer Wiles, MA, LMHC, BC-DMT is the Director of Children’s Services for Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home in Wayland, MA. She is the director of Camp Erin Boston and HEARTplay, a bereavement program for children, teens and young adults of all abilities in the greater Boston area Her current work focuses on Expanding the Language of Grief, which strives to make bereavement support available to those who are marginalized with limited access to services. Jennifer is a board-certified dance movement therapist/licensed mental health counselor and is on the adjunct faculty of Lesley University’s Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences where she also serves as a clinical site supervisor.

Cathy Fox, MSW serves as Assistant Professor and Field Education Director for the Social Work Program at Creighton University. As an alum of the program herself, she enjoys educating and supporting students as they prepare to become future helping professionals. Prior to moving to academia, she served over eight years as the Program Director and Director of Operations at Grief’s Journey, a grief center in Omaha, Nebraska. The majority of her research and practice is in the field of grief and loss, grounded in trauma, child development, and family systems, with a strong background in mental health and suicide. Cathy currently serves on the Program Committee for Mourning Hope, a grief center in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is an active member of the National Alliance for Grieving Children.

Erin Spalding LCSW, Program Director joined The Christi Center in 2007. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Texas. She has worked in a variety of social service settings including, support for the HIV/AIDS and LGBT communities, case management, counseling for youth with developmental disorders, and hospice. Her clinical experience has focused on providing services for kids, teens, and minority populations, particularly in the areas of grief and loss. Her job duties include outreach, program management, program enrichment, crisis intervention, community trainings, intern supervision, and group facilitation.

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

Peer Deaths: Supporting Students Grieving within the context of Racial Trauma & during COVID-19

*This playback is available to active NACG Members Only.

After a Suicide: Helping Children, Adolescents, and Teens

*This playback is available to active NACG Members Only.

Resources & Support

Education

Explore our Education and CE opportunities:

Awareness

Grants

About Us

Using Fictional Characters to Help Children and Adolescents Who Are Grieving Live Interactive Webinar

Using Fictional Characters to Help Children and Adolescents Who Are Grieving Live Interactive Webinar

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Centering Intersectionality Within the Field of Childhood Bereavement

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Write Your Heart Out: Self Expression to cope with grief, loss, trauma, & stress

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

When Hearts are Stretched: Fostering Compassion Resilience Amidst a Pandemic

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Rebuilding & Reengaging: School-Based Grief Support Post Pandemic

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Connect, Build, and Grow! Combining group work, play therapy and Lego building to explore grief

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

A Win-Win: Utilizing Interns to Support Your Agency While Training Future Grief Professionals

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Peer Deaths: Supporting Students Grieving within the context of Racial Trauma & during COVID-19

After a Suicide: Helping Children, Adolescents, and Teens

Resources & Support

Education

Explore our Education and CE opportunities:

Awareness

Grants

About Us

Using Fictional Characters to Help Children and Adolescents Who Are Grieving Live Interactive Webinar

Using Fictional Characters to Help Children and Adolescents Who Are Grieving Live Interactive Webinar

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Centering Intersectionality Within the Field of Childhood Bereavement

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

The Rhythm of Emotion: The Use of Music Therapy to Give Voice to Grieving Children & Adolescents

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Write Your Heart Out: Self Expression to cope with grief, loss, trauma, & stress

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

When Hearts are Stretched: Fostering Compassion Resilience Amidst a Pandemic

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Rebuilding & Reengaging: School-Based Grief Support Post Pandemic

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Connect, Build, and Grow! Combining group work, play therapy and Lego building to explore grief

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

A Win-Win: Utilizing Interns to Support Your Agency While Training Future Grief Professionals

Objectives:

Speaker Bios:

Peer Deaths: Supporting Students Grieving within the context of Racial Trauma & during COVID-19

After a Suicide: Helping Children, Adolescents, and Teens

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