Providesa variety of case examples applying theory to practice when working with those dealing with grief and loss. Grief and Loss: Theories and Skills for the Helping Professions, 2/e, allows readers to see how essential theories and skills will enhance their own practice. They will gain the core knowledge and skills needed to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities who are experiencing loss and the grief that accompanies it Culture, spirituality, age, gender and other factors that influence grief reactions are discussed, helping readers understand and work with diverse populations. Individual and programmatic responses to grieving people are also included. Each chapter contains exercises that encourage readers to apply the concepts learned and MySocialWorkLab includes a variety of Internet resources and supplemental learning tools. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers should be able to: * Acquire core knowledge and skills that will prepare readers to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities who are experiencing loss and the grief that accompanies it * Understand normal and complicated grief reactions * Identify actual as well as symbolic losses * Recognize the factors the positively and negatively influence grief reactions * Understand the resources and interventions that are effective in helping those who are grieving Note: MySocialWorkLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySocialWorkLab, please visit: www.mysocialworklab.com or you can purchase a valuepack of the text + MySocialWorkLab (at no additional cost). VP: 0205206816

About the Author

Katherine Walsh has been teaching social workers and other helping professionals while maintaining her own grief work practice for 30 years. A past president of the Association of Oncology Social Work, Director of Psychosocial Services for Hospice, a Clinical Supervisor and tenured Professor of Social Work, Dr. Walsh has won numerous service and leadership awards, authored many book chapters and peer reviewed journal articles and led international exchange programs in End of Life Care in China, Cambodia and Hungary for the National Association of Social Workers. Her own practice and collaborative relationships with students and colleagues have produced a wealth of case examples from a wide variety of settings including schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and foster care agencies as well as traditional social service and mental health settings.

Table of Contents

IN THIS SECTION: 1.) BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.) FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Introduction to Grief and Loss Chapter 2: Symbolic Loss Chapter 3: Self Preparation and Training for Professionals Chapter 4: Childhood and Adolescence Chapter 5: Young and Middle Adulthood Chapter 6: Older Adulthood Chapter 7: Normal and Complicated Grief Chapter 8: Culture and Spirituality Chapter 9: Anticipatory Grief in End of Life Care Chapter 10: What Can We Do to Help Grieving Individuals and Families? Chapter 11: Helping Groups and Organizations Cope with Grief Chapter 12: Communities and Traumatic Grief Chapter 13: Professional Resilience: Sustaining Hope, Helpfulness and Competence in Working With Grief FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Introduction to Grief and Loss Basic Facts About Loss Why Study Grief? Experiences That Generate Grief Reactions Summary Chapter 2: Symbolic Loss Symbolic Loss Similarities And Differences In Symbolic And Actual Losses Summary Chapter 3: Self Preparation and Training for Professionals Reviewing Our Own Experiences and Attitudes Related To Grief Assessing and Enhancing Our Readiness to Address Grief Increased Recognition of the Impact of Grief on Professionals Supervision, Consultation and Collaboration Summary Chapter 4: Childhood and Adolescence Loss in the Formative Years External Factors Influencing Grief in Children and Adolescents The Influence of Development on Grief Reactions Grief Reactions at Different Developmental Stages Summary Chapter 5: Young and Middle Adulthood Factors in addition to age and developmental stage that influence grief reactions. Developmental and External Factors influencing grief reactions Summary Chapter 6: Older Adulthood Loss and Grief Later In Life The Influence of Advanced Age and Longer Life Expectancy Symbolic and Actual Loss for Older Adults Working with Grieving Older Adults Summary Chapter 7: Normal and Complicated Grief Theories That Inform Our Understanding Of Grief Common Reactions in "Normal" Grief "Complicated Grief" Interventions for Normal and Complicated Grief Summary Chapter 8: Culture and Spirituality The Influence of Culture and Spirituality in Coping with Loss and Grief Culture Culture Awareness, Sensitivity, and Competence Gender and Media Influences Spirituality Summary Chapter 9: Anticipatory Grief in End of Life Care Anticipated Loss In Diverse Practice Settings "Anticipatory Grief" End of Life and Palliative Care Advance Directives Summary Chapter 10: What Can We Do to Help Grieving Individuals and Families? Misconceptions About Grief Empathic Communication Interventions for Normal and Complicated Grief Bereavement Counseling Grief Therapy Collaborating With Other Helping Professionals Summary Chapter 11: Helping Groups and Organizations Cope with Grief Group Models Identifying and Developing Organizational Resources Establishing a Bereavement Protocol: Interdisciplinary and Inter-Organizational Collaboration Summary Chapter 12: Communities and Traumatic Grief Trauma Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) When Communities Experience Trauma and Grief Creating Remembrances and Memorials Summary Chapter 13: Professional Resilience: Sustaining Hope, Helpfulness and Competence in Working With Grief Continuing Education And Professional Development Self-Care Professional Support Systems Summary Appendices Appendix A: Common Losses Across the Lifespan Appendix B: Helpful Strategies for Coping with Grief Appendix C: Strategies for Professionals Helping Children and Families Cope with Traumatic Loss Appendix D: Remembrance Celebrations: Planning Your Own or Someone Else's Memorial Service Appendix E: Expressive Techniques Appendix F: Caregivers Retreat Agenda and Invitation Internet Resources Annotated Bibliography