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Event Description Robert A. Neimeyer, Ph.D., instructor
The loss of a
loved one, particularly in its most tragic forms, profoundly challenges the thematic
foundations that give meaning to the stories of our lives. This workshop will trace one possible
narrative arc through traumatic bereavement, beginning with the shattering of our self narratives as
survivors, through our efforts at retelling
the narrative of the loss in some restorative fashion, reconstructing its meaning for our ongoing lives, integrating its broader spiritual or
cosmic significance, and extending
the story of our loved one’s existence in life-affirming ways. The presentation will review novel research
findings on the role of meaning and spirituality in adapting to difficult
losses, whether these arise from natural death or from violent causes such as
homicide, suicide or fatal accident.
Building on these findings, we will focus strongly on the practice
implications of a narrative approach to meaning reconstruction in the wake of
loss, and learn how to: (1) distinguish between complicated and adaptive grief;
(2) practice procedures for restorative retelling of traumatic loss; (3) offer
evidence based guidelines for therapeutic journaling; and (4) use metaphoric
and literal storytelling to access and work with themes in a client’s own grief
experiences. Throughout, we will
illustrate points in the arc with reference to actual case studies of traumatic
bereavement and describe the conditions that help and hinder clients striving
to move from grief to growth in the wake of difficult loss. Upon completion of the program the student will be able to:
- Identify the key features of complicated grief that
distinguish it from adaptive grieving after a major loss
- Describe the impact of traumatic bereavement on the
survivor’s psychological and spiritual functioning
- Distinguish restorative retelling of the “event
story” of the death as a healing practice from rumination and traumatic
repetition
- Summarize the key ingredients of complicated grief
therapy and evidence for its superiority over conventional psychotherapy
with bereaved clients
- Discuss guidelines for therapeutic journals that
help clients master negative emotions and find meaning and perspective in
the wake of loss
- Analyze virtual dream stories to discern key themes
and resources for the metaphoric integration of real-life loss
Program Code: MM68 6 CE Credits Location: at MSPP, Newton
Robert A. Neimeyer, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology,
University of Memphis, where he also maintains an active clinical practice.
Neimeyer has published 25 books, including Techniques
of Grief Therapy: Creative Practices for
Counseling the Bereaved and Grief and
Bereavement in Contemporary Society:
Bridging Research and Practice, and serves as Editor of the journal Death Studies. The author of nearly 400
articles and book chapters and a frequent workshop presenter, he is currently
working to advance a more adequate theory of grieving as a meaning-making
process. Neimeyer served as President of
the Association for Death Education and Counseling and Chair of the
International Work Group for Death, Dying, & Bereavement. Event Type:Continuing Education Program Category:Innovators - Clinical Practice Early registration ends on Dec 30, 2012. Regular registration starts on Dec 31, 2012 and ends on Feb 11, 2013. Late registration starts on Feb 12, 2013.
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Registration Fees
| Fee Type | Early | Regular | Late |
| Mourning and Meaning: The Narrative Arc of Traumatic Loss (MM68) | | Member Fee: | $145.00 | $145.00 | $145.00 | | Non-Member Fee: | $145.00 | $145.00 | $145.00 |
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