In a world where everything is labeled as “counseling” in the generic sense, things can become confusing for those seeking deeper mental care instead of everyday advice.  This can lead to legal ramifications where individuals unknowingly are claiming to be counselors and can infer penalties from the state.   Hence grief support as opposed to grief therapy are two very different things.  Anyone can perform grief support.  Ministers, chaplains, certified professionals, as well as teachers, funeral directors, nurses, hospice care givers, and others who deal with grieving populations.  This type of grief support deals with the basics of loss and the emotions that entail with it. However, grief therapy is a deeper type of counseling.  Licensed counselors are able to help others with complicated or pathological grief and loss.  Licensed counselors, social workers, certain psychiatric nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists are able to counsel and treat individuals with grief pathologies.   Hence grief support and grief therapy are two very different things

AIHCP certifies individuals in grief support and does not offer licensure.  Licensure to perform grief therapy varies from state to state but usually requires a undergraduate in psychology or counseling and then passing state guidelines and exams.   Individuals with a license who attain a certification from AIHCP obviously can perform grief support and grief therapy but only those with an existing licensure.

The article, “What’s the Difference Between Grief Support and Grief Therapy?” by Mark Shelvock takes a closer look at the differences between grief support and grief therapy.    In regards to grief support, he states,

“Grief support is fostered in any environment where people can talk about their loss or grieving experiences with others. This may come from a family member, friend, partner, neighbour, colleague, teacher, health care provider, or a not-for-profit community worker. Typically, grief support focuses on providing a supportive environment where a grieving person can engage with a specific loss they are grappling with in present-day life.”

“What’s the Difference Between Grief Support and Grief Therapy?”. Mark Shelvock.  November 17th, 2022. Psychology Today.

In addition, he discusses the necessity of grief therapy for cases that are beyond the basic human loss.  Grief therapy involves more indepth care and deals with more pathological issues in the grieving process itself.  To read the entire article, please click here

Commentary

Hence the importance of understanding the differences between grief support and grief therapy are essential for the proper understanding of certain roles that professionals play.  Those in grief support are in most cases the first line and option for many seeking help understanding the process of loss.  They provide guidance and direction.  They do not look to offer solutions to loss or promises it goes away, but instead gives to the person a listening ear.

Grief Support

Grief support can be individual or collective with support groups.  Grief support groups sometimes are a better option for individuals that do not have a strong support system.  AIHCP also offers  Grief Support Group Certification.  Whether, individual or collective, grief support is important for individuals in processing the loss, understanding it, coping with it and adjusting to it in a healthy and safe way. In this regards many non-licensed professionals are able to offer support and help in this area.  This is where a Grief Counseling Certification is an excellent resume booster.  It helps professionals attain more acute knowledge about the grieving process and how to help others manage their grief.

Most individuals are able to acclimate to grief and loss in a healthy way and do not incur pathological symptoms.   They grieve within the normal time, adjust and need occasional support.  These individuals are able to adjust to the loss.  This does not mean that they ever “get over” the loss.  This is a false promise.  No one ever truly recovers from a loss of a loved one.  This is the ultimate price of love, but individuals can adjust and live life.  Grief support and basic grief counseling helps certain individuals understand this process in a healthy and better way.

Grief Therapy

Sometimes due to complications within the loss, complicated grief can emerge.  If the loss is especially tragic, sudden, or heinous in nature, then individuals may not adjust to the loss in a healthy fashion.  Others may experience a type of loss in their childhood and remains a deep trauma.  Others may have the subjective elements within their mental capabilities that can make any type of loss a complicated one.  Still others may deal with depression or other mental maladies.

Licensed counselors and other mental care providers aid individuals in these types of losses.  They provide deeper therapies that only state approved and trained professionals can provide.   These individuals can enhance their knowledge through certification if they so choose, but are equipped with the psychological training to handle grief pathologies.  If an individual is suffering from grief due to an intense trauma, experiences depression, or is unable to break the grieving cycle in a healthy way, then grief therapy is required for these individuals.

Conclusion

Those who provide grief support need to be careful in how they present themselves.  They must use the word “counselor” very carefully and be sure clients understand they are not licensed counselors.  They need to understand the nature of complicated grief and when to refer a client to a licensed professional.  Grief support deals with basic loss and the adjustment to that loss but it cannot replace grief therapy for those suffering from complications in grief.   Many who offer grief support, also use the terms grief coaching, or grief consulting.

AIHCP offers a Grief Counseling Certification for licensed and non licensed professionals.  Obviously, the certification is not meant to serve as substitution for licensure, but serves as an enhancement for professionals who are licensed and a tool for non licensed professionals to be able to offer grief support.  Please review the program and see how it will professionally aid yourself in your particular field of dealing with grief

Additional Resources

“What Is Grief Counseling?”. Sanjana Gupta. June 21st, 2022. VeryWellMind. Access here

“When Does Grief Require Therapy?”. Sophia Dembling. March 26th, 2022. Psychology Today.  Access here

“Understanding Therapy for Grief and How It Can Help”. Sara Lindberg. October 17th, 2022. Healthline.  Access here

“Complicated grief”. Mayo Clinic Staff.  Mayo Clinic.  Access here