School Grief Support and Grief Trainings

Grief Trainings for Educators, Social Workers, LMHC Profressionals, and community members

Grief Trainings for Educators

Fundamentals of Grief for Educators: Helping Individuals Navigate Their Grief Journey

A 10 hour In-Person Professional Development workshop for Educators

Saturday, February 11, 2023 and March 4th, 2023

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Workshop cost with 10 PDPs: $175 (educators only)

REGISTER HERE

Workshop facilitated by Maureen Walsh, NP, FT and Alice Kearney, LMH

Registration deadline 02/06/23. Cancellations made before 02/03/23 will be fully refunded.
No refunds after 02/03/23. Workshop requires at least 8 participants. Certificates of completion will be mailed to participants after fully attending all ten hours of this workshop and evaluations will be completed in person immediately following the workshop.

Every person will experience grief and loss – a normal yet profound sense of final separation from something or someone important. While there are similarities in how individuals work through and experience loss, grief is a complicated and truly unique experience that requires helpers to be sensitive to the needs and experiences of those they are supporting. This in-person workshop is designed to give educators an increased awareness of the dynamics of grief, and to provide tools and strategies to best support grieving students and their families.

Course Overview
Through presentation, case study exercises, personal reflection, and group discussion, this workshop will cover Disenfranchised Grief, Grief Theories, Chaos of Grief, Children & Grief, Grief vs. Major Depressive Disorder, What Grievers Need, Grief Over Time, Tools and Strategies and more.

Training Schedule

Day 1:
8:45-9:00: Registration
9:00-11:15: Understanding Grief for Teachers
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-2:00: Learning Assessment and Activities

Day 2:
8:45-9:00: Welcome and check-in
9:00-11:15: Helping Grieving Students
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-12:30 Self Care
12:30-1:15 Resources
1:15-1:45 Post Workshop Assessment
1:45-2:00: Evaluations and Certificates

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training you should be able to:

Explain the characteristics of grief
Define the difference between grief and mourning
Define the differences between grief theories
Recognize signs of grief in children of all ages
Identify tools for creating a grief-sensitive classroom
Describe the current concepts of aiding a child through grief
Recognize when outside help is needed

Maureen F. Walsh is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, grief therapist and educator. Maureen is certified as a Fellow in Thanatology by the Association for Death, Education and Counseling (ADEC). While working as a school nurse/health teacher Maureen started the school bereavement program and coordinated it for 14 years. She developed Lessons of Life and Loss, a grade 1-8 school bereavement program, which she has presented to faculties of various schools on the South Shore. Maureen began her own grief practice, Grief Weavers LLC in 2007 in which she sees private patients and speaks at schools and community organizations about grief issues. In 2017, Maureen moved Grief Weavers to Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center where she continues her private practice as well as facilitates the Sibling Loss Support Group, assists in Mike’s Club and is part of the H.E.A.R.T program. (Hope Floats Education and Awareness Response Team).

Alice Kearney has over 25 years of experience as a licensed mental health counselor and registered art therapist. In 2007, Alice opened her own private practice. In 2013 she began leading Mike’s Club children’s groups at Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center. Today, Alice is thrilled to move her positive, creative and strength-based counseling services to Hope Floats and be apart of the Hope Floats team full time

Our goal is to raise awareness about grief through education and community outreach. This encompasses trainings, workshops and presentations for professionals, educators, and members of the community. This intermediate level training is intended for educators as a means to provide tools, strategies and knowledge needed to ensure a grief-sensitive learning environment.

Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center has been approved with the following Content area: Safe & Supportive Learning Environments by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Professional Development Points will be awarded to educators upon full completion of this 10 hour program, an assessment of learning, and demonstration of mastery on behalf of the participant.

Hope Floats is handicapped accessible. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 for further accommodation needs.

Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center is a bereavement and educational center for adults, teens, children and their families who are grieving, dealing with illness, or facing other life challenges. Our free support services bring hope and healing to those in need. 4 Elm Street, Kingston, MA 02364

Greif Trainings for Social Workers and LMHC Professionals

Fundamentals of Grief: Helping Individuals Navigate Their Grief Journey

A 6 CE hours, in-person workshop for social service professionals, educators, and members of the community

Future Dates to be announced

Workshop cost with 6 CE hours: $175

Workshop cost without CE hours: $129

Workshop facilitated by Maureen Walsh, NP, FT and Erin Hourahan, LICSW

"The Fundamentals of Grief Training was not only interesting and informative but provided much needed answers to questions such as how to explain death to children. It was clear from the outset that the presenters Maureen and Erin were not only very knowledgeable but also very caring and warm individuals. Also appreciated, were the wonderful book recommendations each provided." ~Madeleine F.

“Fundamentals of Grief Training provided a platform where education and expertise are met with compassion and commonality. Families at Friends of Aine will truly benefit from the guidance provided. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary experience." ~Mandi S., Good Grief Program Coordinator

Registration deadline: 3/7/23. Cancellations made before 3/4/23 will be fully refunded. No refunds after 3/4/23. Certificates of completion will be mailed to participants after fully attending all six hours of this workshop and completion of workshop evaluations. This is an in person workshop. For more information contact us 781-585-4221 ext.3 or at info@hopefloatswellness.org.

Every person will experience grief and loss – a normal yet profound sense of final separation from something or someone important. While there are similarities in how individuals work through and experience loss, grief is a complicated and truly unique experience that requires helpers to be sensitive to the needs and experiences of those they are supporting. This workshop is designed to give helpers an increased awareness of the dynamics of grief, and to provide tools and strategies to best support someone who is grieving.

Course Overview

Through presentation, case study exercises, personal reflection, and group discussion, this workshop will cover Disenfranchised Grief, Grief Theories, Chaos of Grief, Children & Grief, Grief vs. Major Depressive Disorder, What Grievers Need, Grief Over Time, Tools and Strategies and more.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training you should be able to:

Explain the characteristics of grief
Define the difference between grief and mourning
Define the differences between grief theories
Identifying differential diagnosis through the DSM-V-TR
Describe how secondary loss impacts an individual
Describe the current concepts of aiding a child through grief
Recognize when outside help is needed

Training Schedule

8:45AM-9:00AM Registration

9AM-11:15AM Understanding Grief and Its impact on Our Lives

11:15AM-11:30AM Break

11:30AM-12:30PM Activity: Grief Over Time

12:30PM-1:00PM Lunch

1:00PM-2:15PM Differential Diagnosing

2:15PM-2:30PM Break

2:30PM-3:45PM What Works/What Doesn’t

3:45PM-4:00PM Helpful Resources
4:00PM Evaluations & Certificates

Erin Hourahan, MSW, LICSW has over 15 years experience working with individuals, families and groups in a clinical setting. In 2016, she began her private practice at Hope Floats Healing & Wellness. Through her skills training and psycho-educational expertise, Erin provides trainings and support services to facilitators, educators and like-minded professionals.

This program has been approved for 6 Category I MaMHCA hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 262 CMR.

Hope Floats is handicapped accessible. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 for further accommodation needs.

School Grief Support

Hope Floats Education & Awareness Response Team (H.E.A.R.T.)

The goal of the Hope Floats Education, Awareness and Response Team is to raise awareness about grief through education and community outreach. This encompasses grief trainings and presentations for professionals, educators, parents/caregivers, and members of the community.

School Grief Support

Before a death –

Training for teachers and staff on grief education and awareness and how to help a grieving child in your classroom.
Grief education for parents

After a death – Immediate help

Grief training for teachers and staff, including specific recommendations about the particular death that has occurred.
Grief education for parents
Grief education for students if requested and depending on staff availability

For more information email us at info@hopefloatswellness.org or call 781-585-4221