Grief and Loss in Childhood: Clinical Applications 

Course Description:

Deaths and other losses occur across the lifespan. Developmentally, we understand death and grief differently as we learn and grow. Without proper knowledge and understanding of the factors that influence one's grief experience and how its manifestations and impacts differ across the lifespan, it runs the risk of going unnoticed; potentially interfering with future mental health and well-being.

This training will provide education on how grief manifests in children and how to properly talk to children about death and grief. It will also discuss strategies to promote effective grief processing work with children, as well as provide education on how grief affects the entire family system. Participants will gain a variety of resources to further their work with children who are grieving.

Objectives:

1. Gain an understanding on how to implement accurate language and other skills when addressing grief with clients

2. Identify 3-4 factors that influence how individuals learn and process grief during childhood

3. Gain 2-3 strategies to guide children who are grieving in processing and making sense of the loss and grief

4. Discuss individual experiences of grief and its impact on interpersonal relationships, particularly within the family system

Meet the Trainer: Brittany Squillace, MA, LMFT

Brittany Squillace, MA, LMFT is a mental health therapist and founder of Best Self Therapy. Brittany’s mission through Best Self Therapy is to instill hope in grieving adults to change the way they view, talk about, and navigate grief. Through her specialty of grief and loss, Brittany guides clients in making meaning of their losses and remaining connected in their relationship(s) with the deceased. Brittany’s grief specialization also includes guiding clients in finding peace amongst ambiguous or non-death losses. Brittany values creating a safe and non-judgmental space, allowing clients to discover how to continue living as their best selves while honoring their unique grief journey.

Join us and earn 1.5 CEUS!

Description: 

Participants will receive an introduction to what neurofeedback is and how it works to help improve overall health functioning. Presenter will discuss neurofeedback’s influence on calming the central nervous system (CNS) and how the training and its process can significantly enhance the efficacy of other interventions. Information about how to pursue training and certification will also be provided.

Objectives:

1) Discover what neurofeedback is and how it operates to calm the central nervous system (CNS) through a non-invasive and evidence-based training process.

2) Understand how neurofeedback can significantly enhance the efficacy of traditional psychotherapeutic and other interventions and how this can help bridge the relationship between healthcare disciplines.

3) Receive a general overview of what is involved in the process of training and certification to become a provider.

Meet the Trainer:

Rachael Cavegn, MA, LMFT, rcavegntherapy@gmail.com

Rachael Cavegn MA, LMFT is a mental health professional specializing in the use of neurofeedback training to address struggles with trauma/addiction, depression, anxiety, SPMI diagnoses and a wide range of additional mental health concerns. Her approach to therapy is through an Adlerian, feminist, social justice, trauma-informed lens, paying particular attention to how relationship dynamics and social systems impact our ability to establish and maintain good health. Prior to working in private practice Rachael spent 10 years specializing in trauma and addiction treatment in community-based programs and MICD (mental health/chemical dependency) treatment clinics. Rachael is a Licensed Marriage and family therapist who is board certified in neurofeedback (BCN) from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). She is also an approved supervisor through the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy (MN BMFT) and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). She has presented to community organizations throughout the metro area on the topics of trauma/addiction, grief and loss, and systems/relationship dynamics, and has developed and facilitated trainings for People Incorporated Mental Health Services, Minnesota CarePartner, Adler Graduate School and the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT).

Join us and earn 1.5 CEUs!

Description: 

This workshop introduces participants to four cutting-edge scientific approaches to understanding stress and stress management. As the science of stress evolves, these new models offer fresh insights into how stress impacts our bodies, minds, and behaviors—and how we can manage it more effectively.

We'll dig into both the theory and implications of an update to the allostatic load model, the brain's predictive modeling capacity, Poly Vagal Theory and the brain's capacity for information processing.

Finally, we'll make the connection between each approach and actionable practices for managing the experience and impact of stress on mind and body.

Objectives:

1. Understand the new thinking around Allostatic Load theory

2. Apply Poly Vagal Theory to stress management techniques

3. Articulate how the predictive nature of brain activity leads to the experience of stress

4. Understand Stress as an information processing challenge

Meet the Trainer:

Collette DeHarpporte, BS Public Health, MA Organizational Management, MBSR Certified.