Navigating Grief and Loss: Evidence-Based Strategies for Psychologists

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How to Take This Course:

• 1 View Course Worksheet -  View the course worksheet or print it out to review later
• 2 Read the Course Material -  As you read through, mark your answers on the course worksheet to be prepared for the exam
• 3 Take Exam -  You must achieve a score of 75% or higher in order to earn credit for the course.
• You don't need to pay for an exam until AFTER you pass it. If you have any questions or need more information, please click here.

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Target Audience: Psychologists
Instructional Level: Introductory

CE Course Description

This continuing education course is designed for licensed psychologists seeking to enhance their knowledge and clinical effectiveness in working with grief across diverse populations and contexts. Grounded in current psychological science and aligned with APA’s ethical and multicultural practice guidelines, the course explores the multifaceted nature of grief, including normal, anticipatory, complicated, and disenfranchised grief, as well as non-death losses related to identity, chronic illness, and trauma. Participants will gain expertise in assessing grief-related disorders such as Prolonged Grief Disorder and comorbidities, including PTSD and depression, while learning to apply culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate evidence-based interventions, such as Complicated Grief Therapy, CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed techniques. Throughout the course, psychologists will examine grief from a developmental lens, addressing unique presentations and interventions for children, adolescents, adults, and elders. A focus on cultural humility guides the exploration of spiritual and communal mourning practices, intergenerational trauma, and systemic losses. Emphasis is also placed on ethical clinical practice, therapist self-awareness, and strategies to manage vicarious grief and compassion fatigue.

Courseware Supervisor: Ryan C. Warner, Ph.D., CRC

Author: Jay Trambadia, Psy.D.

CE Course Objectives

1. Differentiate among types of grief, including normal, anticipatory, complicated, disenfranchised, and non-death-related grief, such as those linked to chronic illness and identity loss.
2. Apply a developmental framework to assess and treat grief in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults using age-appropriate strategies.
3. Recognize and integrate cultural, spiritual, and systemic factors in grief responses, including intergenerational trauma and collective mourning practices.
4. Utilize standardized assessment tools to identify Prolonged Grief Disorder and screen for common comorbidities such as PTSD, major depression, and substance use.
5. Implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions for grief, including Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed somatic practices.
6. Address clinical challenges such as client resistance, emotional suppression, anniversaries, and grief triggers within a trauma-informed, client-centered framework.
7. Engage in reflective practice to identify vicarious grief reactions, mitigate compassion fatigue, and support clinician wellbeing during grief-related work.

Course Date: 2025-10-16

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