Please take a minute to review our Introduction Video from our President, Dominick L. Flarey, Ph.D, MBA, RN-BC, ANP-BC, FACHE
Grief and Grief Counseling
Grief is part of life. Grief is in essence a natural human reaction to loss. Everyone grieves but some individuals need help through the grieving process. Grief Counselors help individuals face loss and adjust in healthy way through it. If you have an interest in serving and helping others and meet our qualifications, then you can become a certified counselor through the American Academy of Grief Counseling. Our Grief Counseling Certification/Education program prepares health care and related professionals for practice in Grief and Bereavement Counseling and Client Care. We offer a comprehensive program/curriculum of online continuing education courses that one must complete in order to qualify for the certification as a “Certified Grief Counselor.”
Our program is comprehensive and supports the attainment of knowledge and skill sets in this specialty practice. Our program offers those who qualify, the opportunity to enter this exciting specialty at a highly affordable cost and flexible study schedule. There is open enrollment and one may start the program at any time. We are very pleased that you have taken the time to visit our comprehensive information page. We hope that it helps you and assists in answering the important questions you may have about our continuing education program/curriculum and our Certification program. We are always happy to assist with any questions you may have.
“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.”
– Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
What are the Qualifications to become Certified?
Registrants must meet at least one of the following:
- A registered nurse currently licensed to practice nursing
- A licensed social worker
- A marriage family therapist
- A health care licensed professional
- A professional counselor
- A licensed psychologist or psychiatrist
- Is in current practice as a licensed minister or any legal clerical representative of a religion.
- A licensed funeral director
- A pastoral counselor or chaplain in active ministry
- A graduate degree in educational counseling
- A licensed physician
- A college degree in human services, psychology, or human behavior with career experience in these areas
- A school counselor or education degree
- Other college degrees may be applicable if they are in a related area or if the candidate can verify significant job experiences working with grief/bereavement under the direct supervision of one who would qualify as a candidate above. Such cases are evaluated by the Academy on an individual basis.
If you are uncertain if you meet the qualifications, you can access our Qualifications Review Request Form: Access here.
The American Academy of Grief Counseling Certification Process
Qualified candidates will complete four required courses in the Grief Counseling Program. These courses must be taken before one applies or fills out an application for certification
- GC 400: Death Dying and Mourning
- GC410: Grief Counseling for the Helping Professions
- GC420: Grief Therapy
- GC430: Working with Grieving Children
The courses are online and independent study with mentorship as needed. Each course has an open book final exam based on the text book that needs to be ordered separately. In addition to the text, there are supplemental readings and sometimes videos for the student to review. There is CE value with approvals for each course. Every course upon completion of the exam and evaluation will receive an emailed certificate. Please click the links below to review our courses or register for our courses.
These four Grief Counseling courses are Co-Sponsored with AKH, INC. AKH, INC, is an Approved Provider of CE by the following:
- The American Psychological Association (APA)
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
- The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
- The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
The Courses also hold CE Approvals from the Following State Boards:
- The South Carolina Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board
- The California Board of Registered Nursing
- The Florida Board of Registered Nursing
- The District of Columbia Board of Nursing
- The Arkansas Board of Nursing
- The Georgia Board of Nursing
- The South Carolina Board of Nursing
- The West Virginia Board of Nursing
- The Kentucky Board of Nursing
- The New Mexico Board of Nursing
For more detailed information regarding these approvals: Access here.
After successful complete of the required courses in the curriculum, one is then qualified to apply for and receive the Certification in Grief Counseling by filling out an online form for certification. On this form you will include any documentation of your professional or academic background. Remember this form is not filled out initially but after completion of the courses. Please click here to review the Application for Certification.
Those applicants who become certified by the American Academy of Grief Counseling shall be deemed “certified” and may use the initials/credential “GC-C”, after their names: “Certified Grief Counselor” Certification is for a period of four (4) years and may be renewed on a an on going basis. A program for recertification is offered by the AAGC and the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc.
To review the entire Certification Page on our site for the AAGC: Access here
Grief Counseling Certification Specialty Programs.
The below programs and specialty certifications are opportunities for certified grief counselors to expand into a specialty area. Except for Pet Loss Grief Support, each specialty requires the certified member to be already Grief Counseling certified. Upon certification in a specialty area, one must maintain both certifications and re-certify in both every four years.
Child & Adolescent Grief Counseling Program
Once Certified by the American Academy of Grief Counselors, certified members may enter the specialty Certification Program in Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling. For complete information visit our Child & Adolescent Grief Counseling Certification Program.
Christian Grief Counseling Program
Once Certified by the American Academy of Grief Counselors, certified members may enter the specialty Certification Program in Christian Grief Counseling. For complete information visit our Christian Grief Counseling Certification Program.
Grief Diversity Counseling Specialist Certification
Once Certified by the American Academy of Grief Counselors, certified members may enter the specialty Certification in Grief Diversity Counseling which focuses on counseling to diverse populations. Those certified in this program may also continue to use the initials GC-C as they maintain their initial certification along with their Grief Diversity Counseling Specialist Certification. For complete information visit our Grief Diversity Counselor Specialist Certification program
Grief Support Group Certified Specialist Certification
Once Certified by the American Academy of Grief Counselors, certified members may enter the specialty Certification in Grief Support Groups. Those certified in this program may also continue to use the initials GC-C as they maintain their initial certification along with their Grief Support Group Specialist Certification. For complete information visit our information visit our Grief Support Group Certified Specialist Certificate Program.
Grief Support Practitioner Program
Once Certified by the American Academy of Grief Counselors, certified members may enter the Advanced Certification Program and become certified as a “Grief Support Practitioner.” Candidates must be currently certified in grief counseling by the American Academy of Grief Counseling and hold a graduate level degree in order to qualify for entry into this program. For complete information visit our Grief Support Practitioner Certification Program.
Grief Counseling and Fellowship with the American Academy of Grief Counseling
Grief Counseling Fellowship Program
The AAGC provides for a Fellowship status for Certified Grief Counselors. Fellowship is granted following the successful completion of all requirements as defined by the AAGC. Fellowship status is considered the highest form of professional recognition by a certification body, and attests to the Fellow’s ongoing commitment, knowledge attainment, skill, and practice experience in the field of professional Grief Counseling. Fellows may also continue to use the initials GC-C as they maintain their initial certification along with their Fellowship. For complete information visit our Grief Counseling Fellowship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you gain and receive the most information from this visit, we have prepared this comprehensive section of frequently asked questions and answers. They are designed to help you move speedily through the information and to answer most all of the questions that you may have regarding the education and the certification program. As always, you may still have some questions that you would like address and our advisors are always happy to assist you.
Feel free to contact us. You may also visit us on LiveChat during regular business hours.
Certification Questions
- What is Certification?
Certification is a voluntary process for professionals that attests to meeting defined standards for a particular specialty, by a professional organization and not a government organization or licensing board. Certification and “licensing” are legally very different. Certification is NOT licensing. Licensing is provided by government agencies with such authority under specific state statutes, for example, State Boards of Nursing. To learn more: Access here.
- Will my Certification be “accepted” in the workforce?
We have prepared a full response to this question: Access here.
- Will I be able to use specific “initials” with my name if I am Certified with the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc?
Yes. Each certification specialty has it’s own unique set of “initials.” Once you are certified you are legally authorized by AIHCP to use the designated initials after your name.
- Does the cost of the CE courses in my program include the “certification” too?
No, the costs of the CE courses do not include the certification. There is a separate certification fee which is due at the end of your studies, AFTER all required courses in the curriculum are completed. This fee is paid when they submit their Application for Certification.
- Should I submit my Application for Certification now?
No. Please do not submit an Application for Certification until AFTER you have successfully completed all of the CE courses provided in your program’s curriculum. The Application for Certification is the last step in our process. You can view our application forms and all options for submitting an application visiting our applications page: Access here.
- Once I am certified will AIHCP provide verification of my certification to others, for example potential employers or academic institutions?
Yes, upon request we are happy to provide verification of a member’s certified status.
- Are their advisors or specialists who are involved in AIHCP and its development of standards/programs?
Yes. For each specialty certification and education program, we have an Advisory Board with distinguished members who have credentials/practice experience in the specialty. To review our advisory board members: Access here.
- What other certifications programs do you offer?
The AIHCP offers many certification programs in a wide array of professional practice specialties for health care professional practice. To review all of our certification programs: Access here.
CE Course Questions
- When can I register for a course?
AIHCP has open enrollment. This means you may enroll into any course at anytime to begin your studies.
Register Today: Access here.
- How are the courses designed and accessed?
All courses are continuing education courses which are also called CE courses. All courses are taken online. They are self paced, independent study. Unlike college courses , CE courses do not have weekly assignments or lectures but only require the reading and exam. All of our exams are untimed and open book. Questions are formatted in an objective manner, multiple choice and true-false format. All while corresponding with a one-to-one faculty mentor.
Once your course registration and payment have been received, you will receive a welcome email from our staff with full course access information within 1 to 2 business days. You will be provided a unique password with which to access the online classroom. You have full, 24 hour a day, seven day a week access to your online syllabus. To register and pay for any course we offer: Register here.
Once inside the classroom corridor, you will be provided with the course syllabus, instructor information, full instructions for progressing in the course, full examination access, course objective and course content. You will also be provided with more links which provide much more information regarding the course and resources.
- Are there resources/tools in the online course?
Yes. Here is what you will find in our online courses:
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- Examination Access: you will have access to both the online exam, and a printable copy of the exam to work with. All examinations are formatted as open book tests. When you are ready, you can access the exam at anytime and click in your responses to the questions.
- Online Evaluation: there is a link in the course syllabus where you may access the course evaluation. All students completing a course, must, without exception, complete the course evaluation.
- Additional Learning Materials: some faculty have prepared additional readings, videos, and/or brief lecture notes to enhance your experience. All of these are available in the course syllabus.
- Student Resource Center: You will have access to a Student Resource Center for easy access to all of our policies/procedures and additional information regarding applying for certification. It also contains links to many outside reference sites, such as online libraries that you may freely access.
- Faculty Information: you will have access to your instructor’s online resume/biography, as well as your instructor’s specific contact information.
- AIHCP Blog and Specialty Blogs
- Will I be able to receive feedback on my completed examination?
Yes. Students will upon submitting their exam have their grade. Students who successfully pass their course will be able to access a copy of the entire exam which will show the correct responses for all questions. The AIHCP staff will also email you a copy of your completed examination with your final score for your records. Upon completion of the exam and evaluation, you will receive your CE certificate within 1 to 3 business days.
- How long do I have to complete each course in the program?
Students have a two-year timeframe to complete all required CE courses in the curriculum. Our courses are self-paced, meaning you can go as fast or as slow as you need to. However, the average student spends about 4-6 weeks to complete each course.
If you do not meet this time-frame you will never lose credits of course completions, however, if there has been changes in courses and/or curriculums, you will be required to comply with the most recent revisions/changes. For more information please visit this link.
- Must I register for and pay for all of the required courses at one time?
No. You may register and pay for as few or as many courses as you like. Most of our students register and pay for one course at a time, while others prefer to register for the entire program up front. The choice is yours.
- How do I pay the course tuition fee?
Students pay for their courses when they register for them. In the event that you need to make a payment separate from a course registration then you may do so at our payment page: Access here.
- How am I able to determine the costs of the Certification program that I am interested in enrolling in?
To determine the costs, including the costs of the CE courses and the certification fee, please review our prepared information and guide. Access here
- Does the cost of the course tuition include the cost of required textbooks or other materials?
No. Textbooks and other materials are not included in the tuition fee. You are required to obtain the necessary textbooks on your own. We provide all information on all required materials on the syllabus for each of our courses, along with a purchase link for your convince.
- Do you accept payment from organizations/employers?
Yes. Many of our candidates who enroll into our programs are sponsored by their organizations/employers.
- Do you have a program for accepting loans, grants, or other scholarships?
No. We do not have any type of programs where we are authorized to accept loans, grants, or other forms of financial aid. We are a professional organization and a non-government organization. We are not a college/university. As such we are not participants in any type of state, government loans/grant programs. Also, we do not have any type of scholarship programs. To assist in the affordability we have a policy of letting our candidates register and pay for one course at a time thus spreading the costs of the program out over the course of your studies.
- I have taken some courses in this subject area in the past. Can I use these past courses to meet education requirements for this certification?
Possibly. There are some programs listed that can be granted towards reciprocity for individual programs. Also, individual academic transcripts with relevant course work can be reviewed based on content and hours to see if any of our CE courses can be waived. Please Contact Us for instructions on how to submit materials for review.
- How can I be certain that I meet a pre-requisite to enter the Certification program that I am interested in? Is there anyway that I can receive some type of verification or acceptance before I enroll or register for a course?
You may complete our online “Request for Qualifications Review” Form. When you complete this form, one of our highly qualified advisors will review your submitted information and you will receive back an email communication with a response of your review and any verification regarding your eligibility and qualification to enter a certification program. You may complete this form online: Access here
- Do you accept students/candidates who reside outside of the USA?
Yes. Our courses and certification programs are open to anyone living outside of the USA. Our only requirement is that you have a good foundation in the English language because as all our courses are provided in English only.
- If I enroll into a course and decide to withdraw later, may I do so?
Yes. We have a policy which allows for course withdraw. To review our policy on withdrawal and transfers: Access here.
- Do you have Testimonials and a Directory for Certified Members?
Yes, we have a testimonials page on our website that you may review. All testimonials are from past students and are voluntary. AIHCP was granted permission from these students to publicly display them, Access here.
We also have a certified member’s directory. It is not a comprehensive list of all certified members, only those who opted to be visible on the internet. You may visit our certified member’s director. Access here.
- Do you have any standards for Professional Ethics?
Yes. Bear in mind, all mental health and healthcare professionals have their unique standards and ethics to adhere to within their unique field. AIHCP adheres to highest standard of ethics and expects its members to also adhere to these principles. Please review AIHCP’s Code Ethic page. Access here.
- Do you have an advisor that I may contact to learn more about your programs?
Yes. You can Contact Us during weekday business hours, or leave a message on LiveChat at any time.