grief counseling

Grief Counseling Certification Article on Secondary Losses

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Grief is about loss.  The primary loss is not the end story of grief.   Grief has many secondary losses associated with the primary loss.

Losses transcend just the initial shock but have waves of loss. Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification
Losses transcend just the initial shock but have waves of loss. Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification

The article, “Four Types of Grief Nobody Told You About” by Sarah Epstein states,

“The word grief has come to be understood solely as a reaction to a death. But that narrow understanding fails to encompass the range of human experiences that create and trigger grief. Here are four types of grief that we experience that have nothing to do with death:”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification to learn more about loss and grief and the various types of grief.

 

Grief Counseling Certification Article on Child Grief and Loss

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Interesting article on experiencing grief at a young age and how it affects one in adulthood.

The article, “Tragedy, magical thinking, and the lasting impact of grief” by Geraldine de Brit looks at a tragic loss of her mother and sibling in an accident and how she felt and adapted through the years.

Tragic loss and a young age can have life long implications. Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification
Tragic loss and a young age can have life long implications. Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification

The article states,

“Even now, 42 years later, this event still has the ability to feel unreal, like it must have been a mistake and I ask myself, “ how could it have happened? How could I not have seen them in all this time?” In such moments it can even feel like they might still come back, like I am leading an interim life until they do.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification to see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

Grief Counseling Certification Article on Stigma Of Suicide

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Suicide is a messy thing. It is filled with multiple emotions of loss and despair, but what modern science teaches is that is most of the time an illness.   Someone does not simply wish to end his or her life with a clear head.  It is because of this and many other factors that cloud judgement that many churches have removed the stigma of suicide itself.  Suicide while a horrible thing must not be shelved away but discussed in the open and understood a decision based upon mental illness.  If so, we as a society can move forward and deal with suicide survivors, as well as family survivors of a successful suicide of a loved one.

The choice of suicide is a result of a mental imbalance that leaves everyone in tears.
The choice of suicide is a result of a mental imbalance that leaves everyone in tears.

The article, “Opinion: Talk about suicide, end the stigma” by Natalie Sept looks closer at suicide and how it can no longer be seen simply as a rational choice but more so as a decision based in intense emotional instability.  It is time to stop treating it as a stigma and face it head on and recognize the surrounding demons of it.   The article states,

“When I received the news recently of his suicide, there was something in me that knew it would end this way. Jay struggled with addiction. Our family watched nervously as his jovial disposition became clouded with the pall of substance abuse that eventually pulled him into an irreversible decision.”

To read the entire article, please click here

To learn more about grief counseling and helping others with suicide, please review our Grief Counseling Certification.

Grief Counseling Certification Article on Miscarriages and Bereavement Time

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Miscarriage is a real loss.  It is a loss of potential dreams as well as a loss of a child.  The connection with the child in the womb is real and it also has emotional reactions when that bond is broken.   Businesses should be more understanding after someone loses a child to miscarriage.   There needs to be a proper bereavement time to process this loss.

Employees may need more time for miscarriage loss. Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification
Employees may need more time for miscarriage loss. Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification

The article, “Miscarriage can be a bereavement, and we must reflect that in employment law” by Alex Penk, discusses why businesses need to be more understanding and work around the grief of an employee dealing with a miscarriage in the family.  The article states,

 

“A bill to provide bereavement leave for miscarriages will soon face its first vote in parliament. It’s a subject that’s close to my heart. I can vividly remember the day, nearly six years ago, when I drove to work on an otherwise ordinary morning, sat in the car park staring at the dashboard for around 10 minutes, then drove away again without getting out. Less than 24 hours earlier I had been at home, sobbing uncontrollably, after a radiographer had kindly but matter-of-factly told us that there was no heartbeat in my wife’s womb, and the crushing grief had begun to descend.”

To read the entire article, please click here

To learn more about grief and loss, please also review our Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional needs.

Bereavement Counseling Certification Program Article on Grief Movies

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Good article that lists some classic movies about grief and losing someone

The article, 8 movies that perfectly portray the grief of losing a loved one, by Natalie Xenos states,

“There’s nothing more painful in life than losing the people we love, whether it’s a parent, a sibling, a spouse or a close friend. Grief is a deep, all consuming emotion and it can be difficult to put into words. Sometimes all you want is the sense that there are other people out there in the world who understand your pain.”

To read the entire article and see the list of 8 movies, please click here

There are numerous other movies as well that capture the essence of loss.  Did any of the movies on this list make your list?  Any other movies you think should be included on a larger list?  Please also review our Bereavement Counseling Certification Program and see if it matches your academic and professional needs.

Please also review our Bereavement Counseling Certification Program

 

Grief Counseling Topics: Near Death Experiences (NDE)

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Grief Counseling: An Indepth Overview of Near-Death Experiences (NDE)

With the advent of New Age, spiritual awakening has become the societal norm, with more and more cultures embracing the concept of alternative consciousness, in a bid to attain enlightenment and personal growth. One common spiritual phenomena reported widely since the last few decades is near death experience (NDE).

 

What Exactly Is a NDE?

A near death experience, abbreviated as NDE is a transcendental experience unique to an individual, which typically takes place just after a near brush with death. In a near-death episode, the person is either in coma( clinically dead), or feeling threatened in a situation where death is quite likely. These circumstances may include a serious injury from a car accident, bullet shock, childbirth, murder/rape, or suicide attempt. During NDE, the individual experiences feelings of detachment from physical self, levitation, and encounter with spiritual, otherworldly entities. People in trance states or in abject grief have often reported experiences similar to NDEs, even though they were not near death.

 

Two Types of NDE

Any near-death experiencer commonly reports either of the two types of experiences. One is pleasurable, and the other is distressing. Pleasurable NDE involves feelings of bliss, joy, fulfillment and spiritual awareness. On the other hand, distressing NDE brings feelings of terror, isolation, confusion, guilt and horror. This type is experienced by a smaller group of NDErs. Regardless of their actual type, NDErs almost always report that the experience was even more realistic and vivid than earthly events.

 

The Four Stages of Pleasurable Near-Death Experience

The pleasurable type of NDE is characterized by four phases that occur in a precise order for each and every individual who report this phenomenon. That being said, it’s important to note each NDE is different. It can include a random combination of phases and the phases may occur in any order. Sometimes, people report having experienced overlapping phases that seem to occur simultaneously.

 

Here is a discussion of four common phases observed in an NDE:

1.) Detached phase: This is the first phase, wherein the individual experiences dissociation from their physical body. During this time, they leave the earth realm to transcend into the third dimension. They report feeling light, detached and devoid of the five senses that dominate physical existence. They sometimes describe an unbelievable sense of freedom from guilt, pain, misery and of total well-being.

 

2.) Naturalistic phase: In this phase, people report being gradually aware of their surroundings. They get a better understanding of the surrounding reality and also report looking down on their bodies. They see and hear things just like they do in their physical self, but the only difference is that the perceptions are unusually clear and realistic. They often say they acquired superhuman powers, such as being able to walk through walls, float around, see through people and even understand the unspoken thoughts of people nearby.

 

3.) Supernatural phase: In this phase, people report passing into a tunnel and meeting entities and being in environments that are not common to the physical reality. They often meet deceased loved ones, spirit guides or non-physical beings like helpers. Communication at this stage is at the mental level and there are no discernible physical features in the entities they meet, yet they seem to recognize them easily.

 

Following this loving encounter, people are apparently drawn to a beautiful, bright light that is difficult to describe. It is all-encompassing, unconditionally loving, welcoming and yet not overpowering to the eyes. It pulls the person like a gentle magnet and makes them feel drenched in the zenith of bliss. People then try to enter the light, only to be stopped by a powerful ‘being’ who warns them from crossing the light and coaxes them to return back to their physical bodies. At this moment, many people describe experiencing a life review, wherein they see themselves for who they are, and realize their flaws, talents and the mistakes they have made in life so far.

Sometimes, they also get access to divine knowledge and profound mysteries of the Universe. Many people come back with future predictions that eventually turn out to be true! The best thing about the life review is that it is presented to the person in the form of miniature motion pictures that allow them to observe everything from a detached perspective, so that the feelings of sorrow, regret, guilt and misery are all toned down to a negligible extent. If anything, people feel uplifted and energized.

 

4.) Return: As the name suggests, the individual returns to their physical self. Some NDErs report arguing their return with The Light; they refuse to continue with their life on the physical realm and wish to stay around in the peaceful glow of the third-dimension. However, they are jolted back to their bodies whether or not they choose to return. When they do want to return, it’s usually because of a connection with living people, or a heightened desire to mend persistent issues.

 

Characteristics of Distressing NDE

The following are some common features of a distressing NDE:

  • People report feeling powerless and non-existent. They feel as though as they are trapped in an eternal void with no one around.
  • Sometimes, they experience being amid evil, demon beings, frightening, otherworldly creatures and scary noises. Often, they report being transported to hideous landscapes, which is a stark contrast from the beautiful, welcoming environment described in a pleasurable NDE.
  • Few people have described feeling worthless and guilty during the life review stage. They feel negatively judged and insulted by the Higher Power.
  • In rare cases of distressing NDE, people report having given up fighting or escaping the harsh circumstances of the other reality and asking for help from the Higher Power. When they do so, their experience immediately morphs into a pleasurable NDE.
  • Then again, few NDErs have stated that their pleasurable experiences transformed into distressing ones.

 

How common are Near Death Experiences?

Thanks to medical advances, NDEs have been reported much more frequently in the last few decades. As public acceptance has increased, more and more people are willing to narrate their experiences. Depending on how rigidly NDE is described, studies have indicated that around 12-40% of people who have a close encounter with death later report having had an NDE.

Up to 200,000 Americans have claimed to have an NDE. According to a 2011 survey of 2000 people in Germany, around 4% had experienced an NDE. The 1992 Gallup poll by NDERF has stated that up to 774 individuals experience NDE in the United States alone. Reference link here.

Another 1982 Gallup poll revealed that among the 15% of Americans who reported an NDE, around 9% people had the typical out-of-body experience, 8% encountered spiritual entities, 11% said they entered a different dimension, and only 1% had disturbing experiences. These findings subsequently became published in “Adventures in Immortality” by the pollsters William Proctor and George Gallup Jr.

The possibility of having an NDE is independent of the person’s religion practice, economic background, life history, health status, sexuality and gender. Basically, it is an equal-opportunity phenomenon and it’s impossible to predict who will or won’t experience it, or whose NDE will be distressing or pleasurable.

 

How do near death experiences affect patients ?

Approximately 80% of NDErs claimed that their lives have been forever changed by what they experienced. In addition to returning with a profound spiritual outlook, as well as a renewed zest for life, people started observing psychological and physiological phenomena on a deeper scale. And this was true for teenagers, adults and child experiencers alike.
One common myth associated with NDE is that the experiencer has a heightened fear of death after the phenomenon. In fact, the result is just the opposite. NDErs lead a better quality of life, which is characterized by:

  • An improved ability to fight present circumstances and have a better understanding of why things happen the way they do.
  • A strengthened sense of self-confidence that arises from knowing one’s flaws and virtues. This feeling of true security provides bliss to the mind even in the face of utter chaos.
  • A lowered fascination for material possessions, as the person finally realizes that true happiness doesn’t lie in accumulating a certain percentage every month, chugging drinks at the local bar or buying a bigger house.
  • A higher than usual compassion, which extends to every being. NDErs have a deep-rooted gratitude for the little joys in life, and tend to forgive everything, as they finally understand the futility of chasing material comforts.
  • An unusual love for solitude and silence, as people don’t need to rely on false objects of security to quieten their inner feeling of guilt or misery.
  • Most importantly, people adopt a spiritual approach to life, as they know and believe that the spiritual realm is real and the material realm is a farce. This knowledge gives them a fresh perspective for all things in life, and they find it easier to cope up with daily hassles.

 

Has Medical Science Been Able to Explain Near Death Experiences?

According to 2011 study undertaken by Watt and Mobes at the University of Edinburgh, reference link here.

near death experience is not a spiritual phenomenon, rather it is a physiological process that can be biologically explained. For example, the typical feeling of floating during NDE arises from the trauma of having had a close encounter with death. This has been linked with brain regions like parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex, the latter being involved in delusional beliefs observed in schizophrenia. Although the exact reason behind the feeling remains unknown, one probable explanation is that the person is trying to come to terms with the trauma of death.

A variety of theories have been put forward by medical researchers to explain the argument of meeting deceased loved ones during NDE. Parkinson’s patients often hallucinate as a result of abnormal release of dopamine. In the same way, NDErs also undergo an abnormal release of another neurotransmitter, noradrenaline, which is mostly produced during trauma, and evokes the feeling of reliving moments from the present life, as well as auditory/visual hallucinations.

In 2003, The BBC reported a study by Dr. Sam Parnia at the University of Southampton which suggested the survival of consciousness even after clinical death (coma). This could be perceived as evidence of life after death.

A 2010 study of patients with a history of cardiac attacks revealed that there might be a link between seeing the gleaming orb of light during NDE and the level of carbon dioxide in blood. 11 out of 52 cardiac patients studied claimed to have an NDE. Researchers concluded that the excess CO2 in blood had a significant impact on vision, which ultimately caused them to perceive the tunnel and the brilliant light.

The most common obstacle to substantial research on NDE lies in analyzing them experimentally. After all, this is one phenomenon that is reported only after it’s over, and there are no real-time evidences to testify the same.

 

Ending Note…

All these scientific explanations raise several questions in our mind. If NDE is merely the outcome of our brain responding to trauma, why do the experiences follow a sequences that ultimately come down to the basic question of spirituality? Why do people report vivid events as if they occurred in precise order, despite being brain dead all the while? Why do they undergo a drastic and perennial transformation after returning back to their conscious state? And most importantly, how can a seemingly trivial, ‘biological phenomenon’ occur with equal probability for everyone, regardless of their medical history, mental health status, and so on?

Interestingly, advocates of near death experience confidently assert that this mystical phenomenon is not a casual by-product of the biological processes of the brain, rather it’s an actual life-changing event that is more realistic and empowering than anything they have ever experienced in the conscious state.

If you wish to learn more about Grief Counseling or Grief Counseling certifications then please visit our site. 

 

Grief Counseling: When Does A Loved One Need Help?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

4 Signs That Your Loved One May Need a Mental Health Professional

When do you know a loved one needs grief counseling? This article looks at some issues.
When do you know a loved one needs grief counseling? This article looks at some issues.

Observing a loved one exhibiting mental problems is a difficulty that many families face. Such behavioral patterns are not only difficult to accept, but they are equally difficult to bring up with the person exhibiting the problem. In many cases, the loved one experiencing the mental problems is in need of consultation with a mental health professional. The following are four signs that will help you to determine if your loved one fits this scenario.

They Resist Getting Professional Help

Even though everyone else is able to see that a loved one is exhibiting some type of abnormal mental behavior, these individuals often have an uncanny way of concluding that nothing is wrong with them. By denying that anything is wrong, a person with a mental illness will attempt to ensure that everything is okay, even when it is clearly not. Resisting help and ignoring the problem is the first sign that a loved one needs to see a mental health professional.

Getting Violent

Another common sign that a person needs to seek professional mental help is that they become easily angered or violent. The way a person gets violent may help to identify that they are not thinking clearly. Violence that follows periods of extreme paranoia, for example, is a sure sign that someone would do well to consult with a mental health professional.

Socially Awkward

Over time, it may become obvious that a loved one is struggling in numerous social situations. From body language to the way they interact with others, it sometimes takes a familiarity with mental illness to notice patterns of behavior that fit specific mental disorders. Avoiding social interaction will also tend to suggest that a problem exists with an individual that may benefit from consulting with a mental health professional.

 

Introversion doesn’t necessarily mean a person has a serious mental health disorder, but if it is so pronounced that he or she struggles to provide themselves with basic living needs, you may want to consult someone who has completed an applied behavior analysis certification program or another licensed health care professional to discuss options and possible treatment.

Overwhelming Depression

It is one thing to be depressed in the course of one’s daily routine. It is another thing to experience depression all the time. Over time, the experience of chronic depression will affect how a person feels and thinks. According to Psychcentral.com, even what may appear to be a mild form of chronic depression is often a sign that there is something more serious. When a person starts harming themselves or even talks about suicide, this is a sure-fire sign that they need to meet with a mental heath professional.

 

Mental problems in people go undiagnosed every day. When a loved one is experiencing mental issues, it will sometimes be difficult to distinguish it from normal behavior. Other times, the signs of mental illness and decline are more obvious. If one suspects that a loved one is experiencing some type of mental illness, consulting with a mental health professional is often the only way they will be able to get to the root of the ongoing problem.

 

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She 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. You can connect with Anica here.

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about certifications for helping others with grief then please review our programs in grief counseling, anger management, or stress management.  Here is a link to our certification page.

AIHCP

Using Your Certification From AIHCP Properly

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

AIHCP Offers A Variety of Certifications

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers a variety of certifications for Health Care Professionals, Counselors, and people involved in ministry.  Our primary certification programs involve Grief Counseling, Case Management, Legal Nurse Consulting and a variety of other certifications involving counseling and the health field.   A certification is an excellent way to compliment an existing career, degree or licensure.

What Is A Certification

This is a common question and the basis for much confusion.  A certification is not a licensure issued by the state.  A licensure is a state regulated field, while a certification is open to any professional who fulfills the basic requirements of a particular organization.  Unlike licensures, certifications are not issued or regulated by the state but are issued by a professional and private organization.  The organization is usually comprised of a board of peer professionals who evaluate the courses and content of the program.  If the professional fulfills all prerequisites and passes the courses, then that person is entitled to the certification.  The certification merely states the person has completed the necessary requirements to be recognized by his or her peers as knowledgeable and worthy in the subject content.

As a Certified Professional, What Can I Do?

If you are not already licensed, you may find yourself as a unlicensed practitioner.  Sometimes, for instance, a grief counselor–certified–may also already be an LPC, but in some cases they are not.  This would be an example of a unlicensed practitioner in grief counseling.  Dr. Lawrence Wilson writes about certain legal guidelines that certified but unlicensed practitioners should adopt in their practices.
First, he lists a few words to avoid.  Avoid words such as cure, but instead use restore, help, alleviate, improve, balance or normalize.  Instead of treat, utilize the words handle, work with, relieve, or remedy.  Instead of diagnose, apply such words as assess, measure, check, or evaluate.  Instead of the word disease, say such words as problem or condition.  The key in this is to avoid words utilized by licensed practitioners.
Dr. Wilson also emphasizes never to misrepresent yourself.  It is very common, especially with grief counseling certifications, for people to assume they are being treated by an LPC.  Grief Counseling

as long as it remains non-pathological, can be reserved for certified professionals.  Be extremely cautious how you market yourself on your cards, stationaries, handouts, speech or website.  Be very clear you are certified and not licensed.  Also, avoid misleading people with your Masters or PhD.  Leave an asterisk that emphasizes you are not licensed.  Remember, if not licensed, advertising yourself with such words as law, medicine or psychology can incur possible issues with the state or your clients.
Dr. Wilson also emphasizes to behave professionally.  As certified professionals, one would conclude that this is inherent, but it is not always the case.  As licensed practitioners, certified practitioners are also called to high standards of professionalism.  Never speak unkindly or unprofessionally of other doctors and if your opinion differs, do not use words such as “wrong” but instead, use phrases such as “in my opinion, I disagree”.  It is also very dangerous to tell a patient to stop taking a particular medication that has been prescribed.  This can lead to liability if negative consequences follow.  Also, if insurance, local authorities, or other medical professionals seek information on particular individual, you need to react professionally and not feel you are being “tested”.  It is best to show respect and professionalism.
In regards to dealing with patients, it is important to remember you are never treating them.  You are offering them advice, but treatment is reserved for LPC or doctors.  Also, remember that somethings are out of your legal reach.  In this regard, building a good reputation with licensed practitioners is critical to work with them in the care of the person you are helping.
If you present yourself professionally, stay within your limits, and represent and advertise yourself honestly, then your service will flourish without much trouble, but the moment you attempt to treat diseases without the proper license, then trouble will find you.
I hope this little bit helps!  Please refer to Dr. Wilson’s short manual, ‘Legal Guidelines for Unlicensed Practitioners”.
If you are interested in any of AIHCP’s certifications, please review them.

AIHCP

Program for Bereavement Counseling Certification: Grief Models of Recovery

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Program for Bereavement Counseling Certification

Worden’s Four Tasks-dealt with widows and their moving on in life

1.Task 1. Acceptance
2.Task 2. Working through it
3.Task 3. Adjustment
4.Task 4. Emotionally relocate the deceased and move on

 

Kubler Ross Model

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance

Rando’s Six Rs

Recognize, React, Recollect, Relinquish, Readjust, Reinvest

John Bowlby and the Process of Mourning

Preoccupation, Disorganization, Reoganization

Lindeman’s Three Steps

Acceptance, Adjusting, Forming New Relationships

If you would like to learn more about grief counseling and Grief Support, please click here
The program for bereavement counseling certification includes four core courses.  After completing the program for bereavement counseling certification, one is certified in grief counseling for three years.

Grief Counseling – What is it and how can it help

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Grief counseling is in high demand today. The loss of someone close to you is a painful experience and can create many emotions such as anger, shock, sadness and guilt. Within this period, you may feel as if these emotions may never let up and come to an end. Loss is a tough thing to handle but it is something that most of us will have to face several times within our lives. These feeling are often categorized as grief and you may find it challenging to move past this phase alone. For such instances, it is recommended that you seek grief counseling.

 What is grief counseling?

Grief counseling is a type of theory that focuses on a person or people suffering from the feelings of grief and helps them get through their feelings. Often, grief counseling takes place with a group of people as opposed to individually as working through this process with loved ones will often help this process. The most common reasons that require grief counseling come after a death of a loved one; however it is not uncommon for people to seek this form of therapy after a divorce, the loss of a job, or the diagnosis of a serious disease, such as cancer and more. In any of these situations, grief counseling works to help that person or people cope with their emotions.

 Grief counseling in groups

As mentioned, grief counseling often takes place in a group setting. This is because the involvement of your peers, who can better understand what a person is going through, will minimize the feelings of isolation that is prevalent among grief stricken people. An added benefit is also that your friends and family will be able to stay with you outside of the sessions, something that a counselor is not able to do.

 What are the goals of grief counseling?

The main intent of this therapy varies depending upon the person and situation. The end goal is to best help that person recover emotionally from the particular situation. This form of counseling does not attempt to change what that person feels they want or need, however they do attempt to console and support that person as they are dealing with their intense emotions. More often than not, the simple act of talking about the situation will go a long way in helping a grief stricken person recover. For this reason, a therapist’s main intent is to accompany that person and encourage them to talk about what is going through their head. Getting that person to talk about it and having someone listen and converse with them about is the main role of a grief therapist.

 I am suffering from grief, how will counseling help me?

When a person looses someone close to them, or they go through an emotionally intense situation, they will often receive a lot of attention from their friends and family. After a few weeks, however, those people will be ready to move on with their lives even though that person may not yet be ready to. This is where grief counselors play an important role. Today, most of the theory behind grief counseling is based on the work of Elizabeth Kubler Ross, a famous Swiss psychiatrist who was able to identify the different stages of grief that a person will go though. Her findings showed that grief is not a straight line process and is not easily understood by the people who are not also going through the same feelings. This makes it difficult for a grieving person to find the full support they will need from friends and family members alone. Grief therapists are trained to work with and identify the stages of grief that a person may be going through and is better able to walk them through the entire process over the course of several weeks or months.
If you are suffering through feelings or grief, or know someone that is, it is important to seek some form of grief counseling as it is the best way to get through your emotions in the most healthy way possible. It is important to surround ones self around loved ones and continuous communication between the two parties will go a long way in helping that person recover from such emotions. You may also consider learning more about grief and strategies to deal with it. There are online grief counseling courses you can take to expand your knowledge in this area of specialty care.