Problematic Grief: When the Road to Recovery Becomes Complicated and Prolonged

Presented by: Dr Evgenia (Jane) Milman, MA, PhD and Dr. Robert A. Neimeyer, PhD

Originally recorded on March 16, 2021.

Credit CEU:1.5

Tag(s) Webinar

Problematic Grief: When the Road to Recovery Becomes Complicated and Prolonged

Description

A chronic and clinically-significant form of severe grief referred to as Complicated Grief or Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) has just been chosen for inclusion as a mental health diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, to be released in May, 2021.The events of 2020 - the global COVID-19 pandemic and wide-spread civil unrest - have introduced substantial challenges that place grievers at increased risk for PGD, impeding their path to recuperation and restoration in the wake of loss. This webinar will present a chapter from the upcoming Handbook of Thanatology, detailing how PGD develops and manifests, with video illustrations of grievers experiencing PGD. It also offers a brief review of the clinically-relevant ways in which prolonged and complicated grief differ from one another, how these diagnoses have evolved over time, and factors that place grievers at risk for PGD, with a particular focus on the effects of the COVID pandemic. Cultural and developmental considerations will also be highlighted; this discussion will include a summary of how PGD manifests among younger age groups, controversies surrounding the medicalization of grief, and concerns regarding the cross-cultural application of the PGD diagnosis. In addition, evidence-informed approaches will be introduced for constructively intervening with grievers who are experiencing PGD or who are at increased risk for PGD. Specific techniques will be presented with supporting video recordings and written therapy excerpts, focusing on working with continuing bonds and unfinished business in clinical settings. These intervention approaches will be discussed with an emphasis on the COVID context.

Learning objectives:

Describe how PGD develops and manifests among grievers
Recognize controversies regarding the medicalization of grief and the cross-cultural application of PGD
Identify evidence-informed interventions for grievers experiencing PGD

About the Presenters:
Dr. Evgenia (Jane) Milman, PhD, teaches and conducts grief research at St Edward’s University. She is also a faculty member at the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition and adjunct assistant professor with the National Crime Victim’s Treatment and Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Milman publishes research examining how making meaning of difficult life experiences influences mental health following grief, trauma and other stressful events. Having authored dozens of research publications as well as book chapters on grief and grief therapy for the Hospice Foundation of America, each edition of the acclaimed Routledge series Techniques of Grief Therapy, Elsevier and many others, she is currently collaborating with Drs. Edith Steffen and Robert Neimeyer to develop the Handbook of Grief Therapies for Sage Publications. Dr. Milman also actively practices psychology in Texas, is a content expert and writer for the Canadian Virtual Hospice and is honored to serve on the advisory board for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) as well as the chair of the Distance and Online Education committee for the ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling).

Robert A. Neimeyer, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, maintains an active consulting and coaching practice, and also directs the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Neimeyer has published 30 books, including Routledge’s series on Techniques of Grief Therapy, and serves as Editor of Death Studies. The author of over 500 articles and chapters and a popular workshop presenter, he is currently working to advance a more adequate theory of grieving as a meaning-making process. In recognition of his contributions, he has been given Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the International Network on Personal Meaning.

Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and The Association for Death Education and Counseling. Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians (ACCME) Credit Designation Statement
Amedco LLC designates this live and enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses (ANCC) Credit Designation Statement
Amedco LLC designates this activity for a maximum of 1.50 ANCC contact hours.

Psychologists (APA) Credit Designation Statement
This course is co-sponsored by Amedco and The Association for Death Education and Counseling. Amedco is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Amedco maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 1.50 hours.

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Counselors: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
MI:No CE requirements
*OK:Accepts APA credit for live, in-person activities but not for ethics and/or online courses.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
AL MFTs:Credits authorized by NBCC or any other state licensing agency will be accepted.
MA MFTs:Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Addictions Professionals: AK, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY (held outside NY ONLY), OK*, OR, SC, UT, WA, WI, WY
The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Social Workers:AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, ME, MN, MO, NE, NH, NM, OR, PA, VT, WI, WY

Social Workers (AWWB Credit Designation Statement
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Amedco is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Amedco maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 GENERAL continuing education credits.

The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Social Workers:AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WV*, WY
*OK:Accepts ASWB ACE for live, in-person activities but not for ethics and/or online courses.
*WV:Accepts ASWB ACE unless activity is held live in West Virginia.
The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Counselors: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MO, ND, NE, NM, NH, NV, OK*, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
AL: Activities without NBCC approval may be approved upon receipt of documentation prior to the activity BEFORE the event. No approvals afterward by the board.
No CE requirement.
The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NC, NE, NH, NM, NV, OK*, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
AL MFTs:Credits authorized by NBCC or any other state licensing agency will be accepted.
MA MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.
MI:No CE Requirement.
The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Addictions Professionals:AK, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MO, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, WA, WI, WV, WY

NY Board for Social Worker Credit Designation Statement
Amedco SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0115. 1.50 hours.

New York Board for Mental Health Counselors (NY MHC) Credit Designation Statement
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0061. 1.50 hours.

New York Board for Marriage & Family Therapists
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0032. 1.50 hours.

New York Board for Psychology (NY PSY) Credit Designation Statement
Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0031. 1.50 hours.

ADA Statement
ADA accommodations will be made in accordance with the law. If you require ADA accommodations, please indicate what your needs are at the time of registration. We cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification.

Grievances
If you would like to file a grievance, complaint or have questions, please contact ADEC at adec@adec.org.