Grief Counseling Fellowship
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc., offers a full Continuing Education program of online courses for those seeking to advance as to “Fellowship” in the American Academy of Grief Counseling.
Candidates for the Grief Counseling Fellowship Program must first be Certified as a Grief Counselor before entering this program.
Upon completion of the seven (7) courses detailed below, applicants are eligible to apply for and receive the “Fellowship” in the American Academy of Grief Counseling. Each course is provided for in a dedicated online classroom. The courses are designed as independent study/continuing education courses, with one-to-one faculty mentoring. There is open enrollment and students may register and begin the education program at anytime.
Certification Program
Those seeking Certification in Grief Counseling must successfully complete the four core courses as detailed below. To review information on the Certification program please view this page: click here
Course Fees: Below are listed the required courses for this curriculum. At the end of each course description you will find the course cost listed. All textbooks and learning materials are separate and not included in the course cost.
The following CE Courses have provider 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.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc. is a licensed Continuing Education Provider in the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15595.
The following CE Courses have provider approvals: The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc. is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Florida State Board of Nursing Provider # 50-11975.
OTHER STATE BOARDS OF NURSING
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 Kentucky 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 New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
GC 500 – Complicated Mourning
This online course covers a comprehensive overview and review of normal grief reactions and the grieving process. It then explores in depth the issues of complicated and abnormal grief reactions and processes. Students learn the signs/symptoms of complicated and abnormal grief as well as criteria for referrals and counseling interventions that support clients needing more intense and higher level therapies. Upon successful completion of this course, students earn 25 continuing education contact hours toward recertification. Course cost: $100.00. Course Code: GC 500
GC 520 – Assessment And Intervention Strategies For Bereaved Children
This course provides the student already familiar with grief theory and children, a storehouse of hands-on assessment and creative intervention methodologies aimed at helping children who are experiencing loss and grief. Through a description and comprehensive presentation of a variety of strategies that identify and assess where children are in the grieving process, the student will develop skill in how and when to apply interventions at various developmental stages in a child’s growth. The student is provided with the theory behind an intervention, the rationale for the intervention, and the grief task it addresses. Full instructions are provided for the effective practice and application of the intervention. Strategies are presented for individual counseling settings, family sessions and peer support groups.
The interventions explained include play therapy, art therapy, story telling and the use of children’s commemorations. Utilizing research from the Dougy Center for Grieving Children, the course also includes a review and description of essential attitudes and communication skills care givers should practice when dealing with the grieving child. Course Code: GC 520. Contact hours of Education = 30. Course Fee: $150.00
GC 530 – Meaning Reconstruction In Grief And Bereavement
This comprehensive course explores the principles and propositions of the revisionist theory of “meaning reconstruction” as it applies to grief and bereavement. The course examines the current body of research that argues for a more dynamic concept of loss that goes beyond stage or task theory. Meaning reconstruction positions the concept of grief on the constructivist process of meaning making and on a reworking of the griever’s assumptive world. The course elucidates this grief theory as a highly subjective and social process in which the bereaved – rather than withdrawing energy from the deceased – constructs a new world of meaning as a result of the experience of loss. As the student appraises this contemporary paradigm, he/she will develop a fresh understanding of the role of grief and loss in changing the life perception of the griever. The student will also assess meaning making strategies and therapist dialog in order to apply the theory of meaning reconstruction as a technique in grief counseling.
The reading in this course is extensive and presumes that students have a good understanding of the process of grief as described in stage and task theory. Readings have been chosen from a variety of grief theorists in order to furnish the student with a thorough understanding of the rich dimensions of this approach. Upon successful completion of this course, students are awarded 40 contact hours of continuing education credits by the American Academy of Grief Counseling. Course Code: GC 530. Course Cost: $ 150.00
PT 450 – Needs Of The Dying
This comprehensive course provides for an in depth journey into the major needs of the dying. The course material provides a very practical approach to this subject matter and leads students to a great awareness of what the dying really do need and want. This course is foundational for anyone who will be working with dying patients. Many issues and needs of the dying are examined with a focus on actual experiences with the dying. Students will examine and learn how to communicate more effectively with the dying. Needed skill sets will be examined, such as active listening and the development of compassionate communications. Students will also examine the physical and emotional experiences of the dying facing different life-challenging illnesses. The physiology of death is also examined. Issues of spirituality are presented with an emphasis on such needs of the dying. By studying the needs of the dying, students grow in awareness of how they may best provide supportive care at the time of life’s transition stage. The role of the pastoral thanatologist in providing compassionate care becomes more real. Contact hours of education = 40 hours. Course Code: PT 450. Course Cost: $150.00
PT 470 – Bereavement Ministry & Support Groups
This continuing education course provides an overview of concepts, dynamics, and practical teaching related to engaging in bereavement ministry and construction and facilitation of grief support groups. Adult learners will be exposed to what it means to minister to mourners of various ages, both in and out of a support group context. Anecdotal accounts of mourners’ experiences will be presented, along with seasoned practitioners’ perspectives on providing caring and respectful bereavement ministry as well as effective grief support group programs. Progression in the course then focuses on better understanding how to minister to the bereaved from a faith as well as a practical perspective, how to walk with the bereaved on an individual basis, and assisting grief processing via group method. This course provides a contemplative, functional, and practitioner-oriented presentation of issues regarding bereavement ministry and support group leadership. Contact hours of education = 40 hours. Course Code: PT 470 Course cost: $150.00
PT 480 – Pastoral Response To Multiple Social/Cultural Variables In Grief And Thanatology
With the world becoming smaller, pastoral and medical caregivers must have the additional training and resources to handle the demands of a multicultural pool of patients. Caregivers need to be sensitive to the spiritual, cultural and religious needs of an individual and also be well trained in dealing with end of life ethical decision making with the patient and family. This course helps to introduce these new concepts to the caregiver and give them an in depth guide to potential issues that can arise in their care giving. This course not only deals with dying concerns but also adds a variety of grief situations as well. This bonus makes this course a very complete guide for caregivers who wish to help grieving people. Students are awarded 40 contact hours of continuing education credits. Course Code: PT 480. Course Cost: $150.00
PT 500 – Death, Dying And World Religions
This CE course provides a comprehensive look at world religions and their perspectives on death and dying. Within the course, you will examine both Eastern and Western philosophies on death and the next life. Within the personal aspect of death, the course will delve into various ideals of heaven, hell, judgment, reincarnation, and other methods of salvation as seen through the prism of multiple religious ideals. In addition to personal death, the course also examines the broader elements of eschatology or end times.
This course provides for knowledge acquisition regarding death and dying, specifically related to the religious affiliations of clients. Students will gain a greater insight into client beliefs about death and dying, related to their own beliefs and practices. Upon completion of this course, participants are awarded 40 contact hours of continuing education. Course Code: PT 500 Course Cost: $150.00
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