Foreseeing an impending loss of a significant person through a terminal illness often triggers emotional turmoil and challenging dynamics in relationships and families.  On top of the caregiving burden for the person with the terminal illness, family members and significant others also have to cope with their own intrapsychic distress in preparation for the eventual separation from the significant one.  In this module, we will examine the caregiving distress and communication dilemmas, as well as anticipatory grief and separation anxiety, commonly experienced by families.  We will also highlight risk factors for those to-be-bereaved that indicate their vulnerability for possible complications in their post-loss adjustment.  In addition, learners will be presented guidelines to facilitate family communication over difficult topics using a meaning-oriented conversation guide.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify high-risk profiles for post-loss complications;

• Describe the key features of anticipatory grief and separation anxiety; and

• Use the conversation guide of “To Tell or Not To Tell” to facilitate family communication.

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Note:  Completion of this module and return of the Responsive Journal satisfies 1 Orientation Module required for Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction or Certification in Family-Focused Grief Therapy.

 

PROGRAM CONTENT

This program contains the following video segments:

1. Anticipatory Grief in Palliative Care:  The Role of Meaning (41 mins)

2. From “Either-Or” to “Both-And”:  Confrontation and Avoidance at the End of Life (47 mins)

3. Addressing Existential Concerns:  The Narrative Reconstruction of Relational Identity (38 mins)

4. Pre-loss Dynamics in Families:  Awareness and Transparency (44 mins)

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COURSE PACK CONTAINS...

• A PDF copy of the presentation slides;

• Detailed instructions for the use of "To Tell or Not To Tell" to facilitate a family conversation; and

• The Responsive Journal that, upon completion and return, confers 1 credit of Orientation Module leading to Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction or Certification in Family-Focused Grief Therapy.