Widows’ fire, as described by young widows, is a disorienting, intense, and unwelcome surge of sexual desire occurring after partner loss. Internal conflict can arise as widows’ fire collides with grief norms, loyalty to the deceased, as well as cultural and personal expectations about when, how, and with whom sexual desire is appropriate. This presentation will describe research exploring how sexuality—a core component of identity—may be disrupted and restructured by the experience of widow’s fire. Specific intervention paradigms and techniques will be presented, highlighting the necessity of an embodied approach to bereavement care with young widows.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the phenomenon of widows’ fire and its emotional, relational, and embodied components as identified in qualitative research with young widows.
2. Explain how internalized grief norms, sexual scripts, and identity disruption contribute to the experience of shame and isolation in post-loss sexual reawakening.
3. Apply clinical strategies to support clients navigating sexuality after premature partner loss.

About the Presenters:

Liza Barros-Lane, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Houston-Downtown and founder of The Young Widowhood Project. Widowed at 36 just months after joining UHD, she pivoted her research to focus on the emotional, social, and embodied experiences of young widows. Her work explores identity, sexuality, and disenfranchised grief, including widows’ fire—the sudden resurgence of sexual desire after loss. She has published in Death Studies, OMEGA, and the Journal of Loss and Trauma, and has presented at national and international conferences. Liza is committed to bridging the gap between research and practice through accessible and socially conscious grief education. She shares her work on Instagram and Facebook @the_widowed_researcher and hosts the podcast WidowPod: The Stories and Research of Young Widowhood.

Sarah Vollmann, DSW, MPS, ATR-BC, LICSW, is a registered, board-certified art therapist, licensed clinical social worker, and researcher. She is a faculty member of the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, and the Associate Director of The Young Widowhood Project. She maintains a private practice specializing in grief and traumatic loss and is the Lead Counselor at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. Dr. Vollmann has published articles and book chapters about grief, and co-authored a recent book entitled Born Into Loss: Shadows of a Deceased Sibling and Family Journeys of Grief. She presents nationally and internationally on art therapy, grief, and bereavement.

Lucas Sanchez, DSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker, educator, and researcher whose work explores the intersection of trauma, grief, and meaning making. He discovered his passion for research on young widowhood during his doctoral studies, which examined the complex dimensions of sexuality, traumatic bereavement, and meaning reconstruction following the loss of a partner. His current research focuses on the existential impact of off-time partner loss and the profound sense of alienation that often follows. Dr. Sanchez remains actively engaged in clinical practice, teaching, and ongoing research, committed to deepening our understanding and appreciation of the young widowhood experience.

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.