Instructor: Pat Bogash, MHS

How to help a bereaved client work through the tasks of mourning will be studied. Students will learn how to recognize the manifestations of uncomplicated grief vs. complicated grief. They will understand how counseling differs from therapy when dealing with the bereaved and when it is appropriate to refer. Special types of losses and how to manage each one in the counseling setting will be discussed. The levels of compassion fatigue or burnout will be looked at and techniques the helping professional can use to avoid the problem.

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After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a

course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see

Refund Schedule).

Due to the acceleration of this course, there will be no excused absences. Attendance is mandatory at all sessions.

Students will have until August 1st to hand in all the written assignments for this course.

Students in this course will:

1. Recognize the differences between normal grief reactions and complicated grief reactions.
2. Learn how to intervene appropriately during the normal grief process.
3. Knowledge about the process of facilitating a bereavement group
4. Explore special types of losses and how each is manifested in the bereaved client.
5. Understand compassion fatigue and techniques to avoid it.

Final Exam 25% of grade

Class participation /Role plays 25% of grade

Journal 25% of grade

Final Paper 25% of grade

A:100 – 90 points B: 89 – 80 points C: 79 – 70 points D: 69 – 60 points F: Below 60 points

Spiritual Journal

After each class and during the two weeks between classes, journal about any thoughts or feelings you have that relate to death and dying. Be honest with yourself. Take time to reflect on what is triggered emotionally for you as a result of this course and how this can be helpful to you as a human service worker. You may write personal reflections about God/Higher Power, but please be careful not to fall into religiousity.

Final Paper

This paper is to be five to six pages long. It is to be typed and double- spaced.

It is due at the time of your final exam. If you want it returned, you must send a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with your paper.

The bereavement counselor must be compassionate while maintaining a certain level of professionalism. Knowing your limitations and what grief situations might be difficult for you to handle due to counter-transference issues is very important to be an effective counselor. Facilitating a client through the tasks of mourning might also trigger issues for you that you had been previously unaware of. Consider those issues and the choices you might make to deal with these situations especially if there was not an appropriate referral source available.