COURSE INFORMATION
This CE course is an introductory exploration of the practice of group counseling and psychotherapy. The textbook presents detailed presentation of discussions on the dynamics of group work as well as an array of strategies and techniques for use in group process. Students will learn to identify what is going on in groups and what interventions would be most effective. This course provides a foundation for the study and the practice of clinical group work. Key areas of study include the core of the group process, leadership of the group, and future issues in group counseling. Students will examine preparation of groups, transitions, interventions and termination. Other key areas of study include training, ethical issues and practices as well as co-therapies. Students will also examine how to work with difficult clients within a group setting. The text authors are seasoned therapists who have facilitated groups for numerous years, and so what they have to share in the book will be found as highly informative for counseling practitioners who desire to utilize group work in rendering professional interventions for group work.
Course Code: GC 710. Contact hours of education = 40.
Instructor/Course Author: Mark Moran, MA, GC-C
Resume: access here
Email: mark@aihcp.org; mdmoran7@yahoo.com
TEXTBOOKS:
There is two (2) required textbooks for this course.
1. The Understanding Your Grief: Support Group Guide: Starting and Leading a Bereavement Support Group, 2nd Edition by Alan Wolfelt, PhD, C.T. Companion, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2021.
ISBN: 978-1-61722-311-2
Link to Purchase on Amazon.com: click here
2. Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing in Your Heart, 2nd Edition by Alan Wolfelt, PhD, C.T. Companion, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2021.
ISBN: 978-1-61722-307-5
Link to Purchase on Amazon.com: click here
TIME FRAME: You are allotted two years from the date of enrollment, to complete all of the four (4) courses in the Grief Support Group Certified Specialist continuing education program. There are no set time-frames, other than the two year allotted time. If you do not complete the courses within the two-year time-frame, you will be removed from the course and an “incomplete” will be recorded for you in our records. Also, if you would like to complete the courses after this two-year expiration time, you would need to register and pay the course tuition fee again.
GRADING: You must achieve a passing score of at least 70% to complete this course and receive the 40 hours of awarded continuing education credit. There are no letter grades assigned. You will receive notice of your total % score. Those who score below the minimum of 70% will be contacted by the American Academy of Grief Counseling and options for completing additional course work to achieve a passing score, will be presented.
BOARD APPROVALS: The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is an Approved Provider for Continuing Education by the South Carolina Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board, Provider # 4637.
AIHCP is an approved provider of continuing education by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals (The Provider) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider number # CEP 15595 for 35 Contact Hours. Access information
This course, which is approved by the Florida State Board Of Nursing (CE Provider # 50-11975) also has the following Board of Nursing Approvals, for 35 contact hours of CE
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Georgia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
Course Refund & AIHCP Policies: access here
ONLINE CLASSROOM RESOURCES AND TOOLS
* Examination Access: there is link to take you right to the online examination program where you can print out your examination and work with it. All examinations are formatted as “open book” tests. When you are ready, you can access the exam program at anytime and click in your responses to the questions. Full information is provided in the online classrooms.
* Student Resource Center: there is a link for access to a web page “Student Resource Center.” The Resource Center provides for easy access to all of our policies/procedures and additional information regarding applying for certification. We also have many links to many outside reference sites, such as online libraries that you may freely access.
* Online Evaluation: there is a link in the classroom where you may access the course evaluation. All students completing a course, must, without exception, complete the course evaluation.
* Faculty Access Information: you will have access to your instructor’s online resume/biography, as well as your instructor’s specific contact information.
* Additional Learning Materials: some faculty have prepared additional “readings” and /or brief lecture notes to enhance your experience. All of these are available in the online classrooms.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the purpose of Bereavement Support Groups for grievers
- Cultivate within oneself the necessary qualities of a good support group leader
- Organize and create a Bereavement Support Group
- Plan Bereavement Support Group Meetings
- Coordinate successful meetings
- Deal successfully with troubles that can emerge during a meeting
- Utilize the Six Needs of Mourning in a Bereavement Support Group
- Realize the importance of self-care as a support group leader
- Identify the ten touchstones of Alan Wolfelt
- Incorporate the ten touchstones into Bereavement Support Group Meetings
COURSE CONTENT:
A brief abstract of content:
- Related videos on Bereavement Support Groups
- Journeying through grief
- Getting started
- Planning your meetings
- The Six Needs of Mourning
- Putting yourself first
- Touchstones
- Opening to the presence of your loss
- Dispel a dozen misconceptions about grief
- Embrace the uniqueness of your grief
- Explore your feelings of loss
- Understand the Six Needs of Mourning
- Recognize you are not crazy
- Nurture yourself
- Reach out for help
- Seek reconciliation not resolution
- Appreciate your transformation