Grief Following Trauma

In the course of one’s career, it is inevitable that professionals will encounter traumatic death and loss issues both personally and professionally. Professionals often feel ill prepared to provide effective care throughout the grief process. This course will cover key grief and loss concepts relating to trauma and traumatic death. Participants will increase their knowledge of how trauma impacts the grief process and will gain skills for evaluating and supporting persons who have experienced traumatic death and loss.

This course is designed for anyone who works with people who experience grief and loss following a traumatic event.

Program Highlights:

  • Characteristics of trauma
  • Clinical implications of grief
  • Primary needs of victims
  • What helps and what hurts
  • Types of traumatic events
  • Traumatic grief and grief reactions
  • Death notification
  • Applications of the SAFER model
  • Supporting grieving people
  • Personal self-care plan

Successful completion of the Approved Instructor Candidate Program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for Participation in Approved Instructor Candidate Program:

  • Completion of the following ICISF courses as taught by ICISF or by an ICISF approved instructor. (Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application.)
    • Group Crisis Intervention
    • Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support
    • Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
    • Grief Following Trauma
  • ICISF Approved Instructor in good standing for at least one other ICISF course.
  • A minimum of three years critical incident / traumatic stress experience.
  • A letter of recommendation from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date.*
  • A letter of endorsement from a local, state or regional CISM coordinator or clinical director dated within three months of application due date.*

* At least one of the letters of recommendation must attest to the instructor candidate’s teaching ability. If neither of the aforementioned letters can do so, a third letter must be submitted.

  • Active membership on a crisis intervention team.
  • Current ICISF membership.
  • A copy of a current CV or resume.
  • Official course application form.
  • A brief statement outlining:
    1. Your crisis intervention/CISM experience.
    2. Your instructional experience.
    3. Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.
    4. Significant experience working with grieving individuals.