The Art of "Companioning" the Mourner

Purpose: This stimulating workshop will help members of the caregiving community who want to enhance their knowledge and skills related to supporting people experiencing grief and loss. Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt will explore a multitude of sub-topics surrounding grief care and emphasize the importance of “companioning” not “treating” the mourner. Participants will go away with a wealth of knowledge as they explore the transformative nature of grief.

Who Should Attend: This workshop will be helpful to anyone who wants to learn more about essential caregiving principles for caring for grieving persons. It will be particularly helpful to counselors, social workers, clergy, chaplains, nurses and lay ministers. If you know someone who would find this helpful encourage them to register!

Objective: Upon completion of this workshop the participant will be able to:

• Identify the essential ingredients of the bereavement caregiver.

• Define critical semantic distinctions in terminology.

• Outline the tenets of a “companioning” philosophy of grief care.

• Define the concepts of “hospitality” and “sanctuary” in context of grief counseling.

• Identify a core “body of knowledge” of the grief counselor.

• Define the concept of “reconciliation” versus “resolution” of grief.

Agenda: Among the content areas to be explored in this program are the following:

• Introduction: Broader Framework for Loss/Grief

• Semantic Distinctions of Terminology

• Inappropriate Assumptions Surrounding the Modern Understanding of Grief and Loss

• Essential Ingredients of the Caregiver

• Critical Caregiver Qualities Inventory

• Introduction to “Companioning” Philosophy

• Explanation of the Concepts of “Hospitality” and “Sanctuary”

• Familiarization With Six Central Needs of Mourning

• Overview of “Body of Knowledge” for Caregivers

• Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver

• Summary of Caregiving Helping Roles: Support Versus Therapy

• Understanding the Transformative Nature of Grief

About the Presenter: Dr. Alan Wolfelt has been recognized as one of North America’s leading death educators and grief counselors. His books have sold more than a million copies worldwide and have been translated into many languages. He founded the Center for Loss in 1984 to offer education and support both to grievers and bereavement caregivers. He is known around the world for his compassionate messages of hope and healing as well as his companioning philosophy of grief care. Dr. Wolfelt speaks on grief-related topics, offers trainings for caregivers, and has written many bestselling books and other resources on grief for both caregivers and grieving people.

Dr. Wolfelt is the best-selling author of more than ninety books including Companioning the Bereaved: A Soulful Guide for Caregivers; The Depression of Grief; Loving From the Outside in, Mourning From the Inside Out; Understanding Your Grief; The Journey Through Grief; Healing a Spouse’s Grieving Heart; Companioning the Grieving Child; Healing a Parent’s Grieving Heart; and Creating Meaningful Funeral Ceremonies.

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