Medical Care: How to Find the Right Health Care Provider

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

 How to Find the Right Health Care Provider

At times it becomes necessary to seek a new family practitioner or a physician who specializes in a specific area of medicine. The reason for searching for a new physician may be because of moving to a new city, because a family physician retires, or because of changes in a family’s health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. One possible method of locating a new doctor is to ask the opinions of family, friends, and co-workers. The type of insurance a family possesses may determine who they choose as their family practitioner. In other words, the physician must be “in network.”

Qualifications

When choosing a healthcare giver, it is important to make certain the provider is board certified. Whether a family practitioner or a specialist, it is important the practitioner be board certified. This is accomplished when the physician goes through what is called a fellowship, which involves training in a specific area of medicine. The physician is then qualified to become board certified after passing exams. Most physicians also belong to groups that emphasize their area of specialty, such as the North American Spine Society for spine surgeons. Perhaps the most important item to check out is whether the practitioner is in good standing with his state’s licensing department. Other important information includes any disciplinary actions or lawsuits. This information may be obtained online through websites such as Healthgrades.com or Vitals.com.

Personal Concerns

There are several elements to investigate before choosing a caregiver:

How long must a patient wait to obtain an appointment? The receptionist is a vital component of the clinic. Is she pleasant on the phone? Does she try to find an appointment that is sooner rather than later?
Where does the doctor have hospital privileges, and what kind of ratings has the hospital received from state surveys?
Does the physician’s clinic process insurance claims or expect the patient to file the claims? If the patient is on Medicare, does the physician accept Medicare?
During the hours the clinic is closed, who is “on call?” Is the physician in a group of other caregivers, who take turns being “on call?”
How far from the patient’s home is the clinic located? Is there ample parking space?
Schedule a “conference appointment,” which is simply an appointment to get to know the physician and ask any pertinent questions. If there are children in the family, the children should attend this appointment in order to observe how the physician interacts with children.
If it is a primary care physician, is she willing to refer to a specialist? A good primary care physician is not threatened if it becomes necessary to refer his patients to a specialist.

In recent years, physicians and businessmen have banded together to form new companies for the purpose of improving quality of care, expanding the available market, and lowering healthcare costs. Companies such as Nueterra seek to move medicine from a volume-based system to a value-based system. Advanced outpatient surgical procedures are developed, and wellness and prevention are emphasized. Because a large number of physicians belong to such companies, contacting the company is a practical way to seek a new physician.

Choosing a physician of any kind is an intimate decision for an individual or family. The caregiver will be like another member of the family. Therefore, the caregiver chosen must not only be qualified professionally, but the patient must like the provider as well. In others words, it must be a good match, so choose wisely.

 

About the Author:

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

 

If you are interested in learning more about AIHCP’s healthcare certifications, or would like to also learn about finding alternative providers, in the Holistic field, then please review our blog.  If you are a Healthcare Professional also interested in learning more about Holistic Nursing Training, then please review.

AIHCP

A Definitive Guide for Main Causes of Lower Left Back Pain

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Holistic Nursing Certification: A Definitive Guide for Main Causes of Lower Left Back Pain

Lower back pain is generally categorized as the pain occurring in the lower back area, which could relate with the problems having in the lumbar region of the spine, the ligaments around the spine and discs, the discs between the vertebrae, the spinal cord and nerves, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, muscles of the lower back, or the skin covering the lumbar area. Majority of adults experience severe back pain at some point in their lifetime and generally they suffer from left-sided lower back pain rather than right-sided lower back pain.

There are different types of problem that could result in lower back pain. So let us have a brief look on different causes of lower left back pain:

  • Pregnancy: Pregnancy is most common reason for those women who are suffering from lower left back pain that could occur for several reasons. Some of the reasons could be-
    • As the baby grows in size, the uterus can compress the pain sensitive structures while including nerves and urethras.
    • Due to the compression of the sciatic nerve the lower left back pain could occur while sitting, walking and doing other necessary stuffs.
    • Several hormonal changes could result in softening the ligaments that create additional strain on the pelvic and low back ligaments.
    • Additional weight of the growing baby could add up to the lower left back pain problem.
  • Herniated Disc and Sciatica: Discs are the structures that provide cushioning between bones of the spine. With the passage of time, this wears out, shrink, bulge or even get ruptured. When any of this happens, the disc material is being forced out of its normal position while resulting into the compression of an adjacent nerve. This causes herniated disc which further compressing the sciatica nerve results into the sciatica problem. This pain is generally one-sided and is felt down towards the buttock, hip while including all the way down towards the lower leg or foot.
  • Kidney infection: Kidney infections are also one of the causes of lower left back pain. It could even cause low back pain on one or both the sides. The infection generally starts in the bladder that travels up towards the kidneys while creating swelling, inflammation and pain. This pain is worse in the case of movement or palpation of the area. Fever and nausea could also go along with the kidney infection.
  • Kidney stones: Kidney stones are also one of the factors that cause rapid onset of excruciating the left or right-sided pain. This pain most often radiates down the flank towards the lower abdomen and down the groin. One, who is suffering from kidney stone, could always feel a sensation of urgency to urinate. In some severe cases, blood may come out with the urine as a consequence of the stone moving in the urinary tract passageways.
  • Spinal stenosis: This condition generally results in the case when spinal canal begins to narrow down and encroach on the spinal cord. This process occurs mostly in older individuals while causing arthritis, disc herniation as well as the bone spur formation. Several common symptoms could include- back pain, loss of strength in one or both legs, numbness or weakness.
  • Other major causes: There are several other medical conditions that are responsible for lower back pain, especially on the left side. Some of the causes are ovarian cysts and fibroid tumors or gastrointestinal problems that include irritable bowel, inflammation of the pancreas or the peptic ulcer disease.

Thus, these were some of the most common causes that could result in lower left back pain problem.

Author’s Bio:  Jenna is a medical expert and working in the medical field for several years, as well as a professional blogger too. She likes to share her recent researches on different medical conditions with her viewers. Here She is sharing the main causes of lower left back pain.

 

The purpose of Holistic Nursing is to find help for lower back pain but not from always a conventional source.  One good way is to find a good Chiropractor who can utilize alternative methods to help one with lower back or find a diagnosis.

If you are also interested in a Holistic Nursing Certification and are a Registered Nurse, then please review the program

 

AIHCP

Pastoral Thanatology and the Rise of Retirees

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Rise in Retirees: How More Seniors Affects Healthcare Careers

The aging of the American population is expected to make dramatic changes in a number of aspects of the society. Baby Boomers, people who were born between 1946 and 1964, will contribute huge numbers to the number of elderly over the coming decades. This population will have increasing healthcare needs that will provide many new career opportunities.

Expanded Careers in Nursing

The growing number of people utilizing healthcare services is already straining the number of workers in the nursing profession. This trend is expected to continue as the U.S. population ages, and many more nurses will be needed in coming years. Advanced practice nurses, in particular, will be needed. These are nursing graduates who have continued their education in specialized areas of nursing, such as cardiac care, pediatrics, oncology and renal care. The shortage of physicians is likely to expand the responsibilities of nurse practitioners, as well, which will be a growing field in upcoming years.

Rehabilitative Therapies

Joint replacement surgery, post-stroke rehabilitation and other medical conditions will require the increased use of workers trained in physical therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and other services. Advanced degrees in these fields will be required to design and oversee therapeutic treatments for a wide range of health conditions.

Gerontology Services

Gerontology, the field of healthcare that deals with the special needs of aging individuals, will take a much more prominent position in treatment protocols. The aged often have different needs than younger patients and may have more difficulty getting access to and implementing treatment services that can dramatically impact their state of health. Both private facilities and public agencies will require workers trained in this specialized field to maximize services to this population. Individuals with degrees such as a Master of Aging Services Management and Master of Arts in Gerontology will help to administer programs in a variety of settings to aid this population. You can even find USC masters in aging online if you need a maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Pharmaceutical Support

The development of a broad range of medications to manage medical conditions in the elderly has made a significant difference in both longevity and quality of life. As pharmaceutical companies continue to expand the number of drugs available to treat hypertension, cardiac conditions, cancer, respiratory diseases and renal problems, highly skilled workers with special training in medication management will be needed, for both institutional care and home-health services.

Overall Prospects

An aging population will require many new services that will help to improve their quality of life in later years. Individuals who have the training necessary to fill these new positions will benefit with a variety of new opportunities. The US demographic is distinctly trending to a large population of senior and retired citizens, and with the country’s large population base, we can expect a career in aging services to remain a stable and increasingly in-demand industry for decades to come.

 

About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty.

 

With the rise in seniors, there will be a higher need for those trained in Pastoral Thanatology.   A Pastoral Thanatology Certification can help train qualified professionals in the necessary steps to care for the elderly in mind, soul and body.

AIHCP

Anger Management Techniques for 2015!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Control anger in 2015 and receive love as a reward!

by Abe Kass , M.A., R.S.W., R.M.F.T.

Many of us make the same ole New Year Resolutions each year. We want to lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more, eat better, become debt free; etc. Rarely do we hear resolutions that deal with the way we think and react to the stresses of everyday life.  Anger is a leading cause of stress in our everyday lives and everyday people in your life are adversely affected it. Road rage is one very good example of anger that is not managed.

A lady who is angry with her hands on her head
Start off the new year with some anger management techniques to help you reduce stress and have a peaceful 2015.

Anger hurts three people. The one expressing it, the person it is directed at and anyone present! We could also add a fourth: The relationship that exist between the expresser of anger and the person the anger is directed at is also injured–and sometimes beyond recovery.

Anger can be compared to a hot coal. A person expressing anger is a person holding a hot coal and then tossing it at the person who is the target of his or her anger. Both individuals–the person angry and the person receiving the anger–are damaged; they are both burned by the coal. As well, anyone present is also likely injured by stray bits of burning coal. Anger causes pervasive destruction to anyone around you.

Is anger controlling your life? If the answer is yes, that you do have an anger problem, the first step is to admit it. The second step is to accept responsibility for having this problem and finding a solution. The third step is to actually solve the problem and then go on to live an anger-free life.

Here are just a few of many physical symptoms that you may feel when something happening in your life at the moment has triggered rage or anger inside you.

•             Pain or sense of fullness and pressure in the head or sinus cavities

•             Tingling sensations around the extremities of your body

•             A rapid heart rate and/or tightening of your chest wall muscles

•             Increase in blood pressure

•             Headaches and lack of energy

If you often feel these physical sensations, then you may have a serious anger problem and are at risk of letting anger ruin your life, injuring others, and seriously damaging your relationships. If you are single and looking for love in 2015, it is vital that you learn ways to control your anger, know your triggers, and most importantly, know how to not act on your feelings of insecurity, rage and anger.

There are many life skills needed to make a healthy relationship. Being anger-free is the most important one. Anger and love don’t mix. If you want to love and be loved–get rid of all expressions of anger. Yes, it’s that simple and straightforward. No, this is not unrealistic. This just is reality! You want love? Get rid of anger.

Abe Kass, M.A., R.S.W., R.M.F.T., is a registered Social Worker, registered Marriage and Family Therapist, certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and award-winning educator and writer.

He is a former part-time professor of psychology at the Beth Jacob Academy of Higher Learning in Toronto. He is a steady contributor to local newspapers, writing as an authority on personal and family life, and is frequently reprinted in other publications throughout North America. Occasionally, he gives public lectures.

And for other Anger Management Techniques, please visit our site as well.

How Health Information Technology Is Improving Healthcare

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

How Health Information Technology Is Improving Healthcare

Health Information Technology (HIT) is an array of technologies that store, share and analyze organized health information through the internet between healthcare providers, consumers, government agencies, and insurers.

It can be the primary means of providing continuity of care for each patient, between the primary care physician and supplementary care from other doctors. If a patient were admitted to the hospital, all hospital caregivers and the primary care doctor would have easy access to the patient’s same medical records, lab results, vital signs and medical orders. This accurate report reduces medical errors through omission, illegible notations, and misplaced records.

Costs

The internet can simplify the administrative healthcare system by eliminating unnecessary procedures and reducing myriads of paperwork, which is often duplicative. Internet technology can limit medical errors that increase consumer costs and engender mistrust in the changing healthcare industry.

Improved Care and Treatment

Medical personnel can instantly check a patient’s medical records for allergies, adverse drug interactions. Doctors can ascertain whether a patient’s insurance covers a prescribed drug, then email the prescription to the pharmacy. New medicines and advanced treatments may reduce pain and suffering as well as recovery time.

All clinical data is organized and analyzed, in case an unexpected health crisis should arise. Surgeons and physicians can transmit this data to skilled specialists anywhere in the world, who will consult and supplement the patient’s care.

Benefits to Consumers

Health Information technology enables today’s consumers to be well-informed and interactive participants in their health care. According to Paula Kane, who works with online health information management programs, those who suffer from a chronic illness stand to gain valuable understanding of their condition with improvements in health information technology. This knowledge can initiate a candid conversation with the patient’s doctor by addressing his concerns about medications, symptoms or treatment options.

More Productive Research

Medical groups can learn from each other and incorporate the most recent and innovative treatment methods. Research encourages and produces better diagnostic tools and strategies. Research fosters progressive surgical and procedural techniques. Access to available sophisticated medical equipment and communication with trusted colleagues worldwide, reduces disparities in health care. Health Information Technology promotes the early detection of infectious diseases, and improves the tracking of chronic illnesses.

Conclusion

If Health Information Technology remains an effectual tool, health care is sure to improve. The sharing of medical information between specialists via information technology promotes better standardized treatment for all patients. Focusing on quality comprehensive health care prevents subtle abuses of this technology and helps identify disparities in patient care.

While this decade has seen widespread implementation of HIT, there remain some drawbacks which prevent it from being universally embraced by all healthcare providers. Cybervulnerability and “HIT fatigue”, a symptom of constant alerts and confusing user interfaces, need to be addressed before the full potential of HIT can be realized.

About the Author: Marlena Stoddard is a freelance writer who received her BA from the University of Georgia.

 

If you are interested in Healthcare Certification Programs, then please review our programs as well

 

AIHCP

 

 

Bereavement Counseling Education: 2015 Without You

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Bereavement Counseling Education: 2015 Without You

The beginning of a New Year without a loved one can leave one pessimistic about the future and New Year.  The previous year took something very special that can never be replaced and leaves the New Year and future years with many questions marks and uncertainties.

The following year is a pivotal time of healing and adaptation for the grieving.  It brings along many ‘first” anniversaries.  In some cases a first Christmas or first Thanksgiving without a loved one, depending on the time of year the deceased passed.  Some anniversaries may also include birthdays, or special anniversaries that will cause the scab of grief to bleed freshly.    Ultimately, the most dreaded day of the New Year is the anniversary of the loved one’s death.

So for those of us who lost a loved in 2014, how can we honestly look forward to 2015?  We can be optimistic but also realistic.  We do not want to harm ourselves by not expressing grief and allowing ourselves to mourn.  So while these days and anniversaries will bring grief, we should see the grief as something therapeutic that allows us to heal and express our love in our healthy way.

The optimism for the New Year should be us adapting to the loss in a healthy way that allows us to love the deceased in different spiritual ways.  The love and bond never dies but exists in eternity and can never be broken.  It is through our grief that we learn to better continue that bond in this life and into the next one.

The optimism for the New Year also means we are still alive and must continue to exist for others as well as ourselves.   Good things can still happen and new bonds will be formed.  They can never replace the old bonds but they continue our life story.  In any story, the previous chapters are critical, but without the following the chapters the story has no meaning.  We need to understand this concept and continue to write future chapters in our life.

So realistically how will 2015 be?  It will be happy, it will be sad and there will be times of optimism and times of pessimism.  Grief is not linear but is wavelike, oscillating back and forth as we gradually move forward.   Yet, as we progress, we cannot forget the bonds that exist with others and the new bonds that still must be formed.   In our continued bond with the deceased, let us remember that they want us to be happy and appreciate our love that will be again consummated in the next life.

If you are interested in learning more about Grief and Bereavement Counseling Training then please review our program.  Our courses offer Bereavement Counseling Education for qualified professionals who hope to achieve certification in Grief Counseling.

In the meantime, please realize that your grief is not something to throw to the side but to embrace because the gift of love between you and the loved one lost is beautiful and not something to be taken lightly.  Try in this New Year to see that this bond still exists but in a different way as you travel this tough road of grief.

The American Academy of Grief Counseling

 

Certified in Christian Counseling: A New Year’s Resolution in Christ

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

A New Year’s Resolution in Christ

The secular world focuses on material growth and gain.  This is why the many resolutions we see proclaimed every year circle around physical appearance, diets, exercise, or relationships.   Rarely, does the secular person look to examine one’s conscience and seek to uproot a vice that is detrimental to the soul.

The Pope recently challenged everyone to cease being a slave to the desires of the world and seek true freedom via Christ.  This involves rejecting vice, an illusionary good, and accepting virtue which alone frees us.

Examining one’s conscience is true freedom because it acknowledges the chains of sin that are apparent in our life and seeking freedom from those vices.  What vices do we seek to uproot in our quest for spiritual perfection?

St Teresa of Avilla, mystic and doctor of the Church, wrote extensively on Christian perfection.  Her book, Interior Castle, looked at the many stages or mansions one must enter before union with Christ is possible.  The first stage involved the initial acknowledgement of one’s imperfections and a desire to purge oneself from these vices.  A good New Year’s resolution that is Christocentric is a good step in identifying vices and accepting the grace of the Holy Spirit to move towards Christ.

In examining one’s conscience for the coming New Year, St Ignatius Loyola offers sound and strong advice.   His methods of examination were from a military background that identified the enemy, acknowledged weaknesses and then sought to eliminate them one by one.  Of course, in this analogy, Christ is the general that leads us and gathers us against the enemies of our soul, which is vice.

In applying these principles, remember that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  One of the biggest obstacles to spiritual perfection is despair.  How many times, do we fail in our spiritual endeavors?  Is it a sin of sloth that prevents us from awakening early for Church on Sunday?  Is it the weakness of the flesh that push us to lustful desires?  One must expect failures in our new endeavors this New Year, but it is the effort that will ultimately push us over the top of the hill.  Christ’s grace will give us the necessary will power to eventually overcome the vice that has soiled our soul for so long.   Christ is an understanding God ,but also an understanding friend.   He welcomes our effort and discourages our despair when we fail.   He understands the nature of vice and its habitual control over the soul.  He is patient and He is merciful.

If we persist, despite shortcomings, if we continue the good struggle, the evil habit will be removed from our soul, through the grace of the Holy Spirit that transforms our soul and frees us from the slavery of that particular vice.

So, this New Year’s, what vice will you eliminate this year from your life?  What step will you take towards sainthood and Christian perfection?  I think the key to remember is Christian perfection is only reached in Heaven, but we must start the steps here as sinners!

If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling Training or would like to become certified in Christian Counseling, then please review the program.  If the program matches your academic and professional needs, then consider taking the steps of becoming a certified Christian Counselor.

 

Mark Moran, SCC-C

5 Essential Services Every Senior Care Center Should Provide

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

5 Essential Services Every Senior Care Center Should Provide

Choosing a senior care center for a family member is one of the most difficult decisions in life. As such, healthcare professionals should take every care to make sure their senior care facilities are capable of the best care possible. The following are five highly important services every senior care center should provide for residents.

Medical Care

Seniors with acute or chronic medical conditions will need qualified healthcare providers on-site to manage health conditions. Assistance with wound care, medication administration and diabetic care are examples of medical services that should be provided for residents with these types of conditions. Staff should be vigilant about updating family about any changes in the medical care or condition of their loved one.

Rehabilitation Support

Physical, occupational and speech therapy are essential tools to assist seniors in recovering losses related to conditions such as stroke, heart attacks or broken bones. Participation in these services can really make a difference in the health and well-being of seniors.

Food Services

Three nutritional meals daily with alternative offerings are an essential element of a positive experience for residents at senior care centers. Flexible dining times are also a welcome option. Snacks should be available for seniors between meals. A pleasant dining atmosphere that promotes socialization and preserves dignity is an important component of food services.

Activity Programming

Staying busy for retired seniors is integral to maintaining physical, mental and emotional health. Senior care centers need to provide regular activity offerings for residents. Opportunities to celebrate holidays and contribute to the community should be available. Outings for shopping or sight-seeing excursions are welcomed by many seniors. The option to attend spiritual services should also be to seniors at senior care facilities.

Transportation

Family members are often unable to provide transportation for loved ones due to work and other family commitments. Seniors who are wheelchair-bound or have difficulty transferring in and out of vehicles need transportation assistance family may be unable to provide. Senior care centers should be available to provide transport services to medical appointments as well as to special group outings.

Compliance with public standards is also important for those choosing a care center for a loved one—all centers should strive to be at the top of the industry and provide the best care possible. Seniors deserve quality, attentive care by qualified healthcare professionals. Demonstrating your center’s ability to provide this will reassure both patients and their families.

By Marlena Stoddard

 

If you are interested in Pastoral Care Training, especially for the dying, then please review the program

 

AIHCP

Getting Older: How Men Can Increase Their Energy in Their Everyday Life

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Getting Older: How Men Can Increase Their Energy in Their Everyday Life

No one should ever feel as if ongoing fatigue is a simple fact of growing older. While workouts may become less rigorous and naps become appealing each afternoon, there are some basics steps that men can take to up their energy levels no matter their age.

Rule Out Major Health Problems
The first and most important step for those that are struggling with low energy levels is to have a full checkup with their primary healthcare provider. There are a myriad of health issues that could be causing fatigue ranging from vitamin deficiencies to pre-diabetes. It is vital to continue getting physicals at least once a year before moving onto other options.

Improve Your Heart Health
Any major issues with one’s heart will instantly sap strength and energy due to poor circulation. One of the best ways to improve heart health is to begin taking omega-3 oils as a daily supplement. This oils are derived from fish products and countless studies have shown them to improve alertness, energy levels, and one’s mood.

Stay Hydrated
When the body becomes dehydrated it will begin to go into shock. While the symptoms are not always immediately noticeable, it will begin to take its toll on one’s energy and stamina. Drinking enough water and other fluids will prevent the body from forcibly conserving energy as it attempts to stave off permanent damage from dehydration.

Get Your Hormone Levels Tested
As men become older their body will naturally begin to produce fewer hormones or create an imbalance in hormones. According to Genemedics Health Institute, this is one of the primary causes of fatigue in elderly men, but there are options out there to prevent this decline. Many now turn to hormone replacement therapy to stave off chronic fatigue as well as improve one’s overall strength.

Find Your Circadian Rhythm
Every human has a slightly different circadian rhythm, or the natural ebb and flow of one’s energy. While humans can slightly alter their circadian rhythm by changing their sleep schedule, some men simply need to become more in tune with their body’s own needs. Those that have peaks of energy at certain points of the day should attempt to schedule physical activity or strenuous work during this period.

Eat Smaller Meals More Often
An imbalance in blood sugar is often the culprit for those that have become chronically fatigued or only have short spurts of energy. Studies have shown that consuming smaller meals at shorter intervals could help those with blood sugar issues. It is also important to avoid processed sugars that will spike one’s energy levels before bottoming out.

Chronic fatigue and a lack of energy is one medical condition that no one should accept without a fight. By focusing on one’s overall health, men can maintain higher levels of energy no matter their age.

 

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about heath and care, then please review some of our Health Care Professional Certifications, ranging from certifications for nurses to certifications for counselors.

AIHCP

Applications of a Certified Grief Counselor

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

What Exactly is a Certified Grief Counselor?

Believe it or not, people confuse the nature of Grief Counseling with many things that it is not.   Grief Counseling does not deal with pathologies, but the simple emotion of loss and the re-adaptation to that loss.   A certified Grief Counselor, without a counseling license issued by the state, does not possess the training or skill to deal with depression or complicated grief.

In this regard, a person who is a certified Grief Counselor, may or may not be a licensed counselor.  Licensed counselors may very well seek out a certification in Grief Counseling as a professional attachment to their already glowing resume, but as a certification, this is voluntary.

Hence a certified Grief Counselor is a trained professional who helps people deal with loss and readjustment to that loss.  The loss can vary from the death of a loved one to a loss of a job and anything in between.  As a trained professional, a certified Grief Counselor, as mentioned, can already be a licensed counselor who can deal with deeper issue of grief, or any health care professional.   Other professional candidates for Grief Counseling Certification include those in Social Work, Ministry, Funeral Services, or Hospice.

If non of these professions apply, an approved degree in the Health Science or Social Sciences can be applicable for eligibility.

The American Academy of Grief Counseling requires that their certified Grief Counselors meet these requirements, as well as completion of four basic core courses in Grief Counseling.  These independent study courses with mentorship, help the student grasp the basic of the nature of grief and how to help individuals suffering from it.  Theories and practical counseling techniques are taught in these courses and help the qualified professional achieve the educational background necessary to successfully grief counsel.

Those seeking employment in Grief Counseling can coach/counsel at the grassroot level or work in conjuction with a variety of healthcare institutions, schools, funeral homes, social programs, hospices, or church ministries.

The need for Grief Counseling and certified Grief Counselors is always great because all humans grieve.  It is the nature of a person to experience loss.  With this in mind, the career of a certified Grief Counselor is not just a job but also a vocation to the suffering

If you are interested in learning more about Grief Counseling Education or would like to become a certified Grief Counselor, then please review the program.

AIHCP