• course Info
  • Content
  • Ce Approvals
  • Policies

Grief-Informed Schools: Strategies for Supporting Grieving Students

CE Hours 6.75 6.75 Clinical

About this course

This training provides the knowledge and tools needed to recognize and address the varied responses to grief, including emotional, cognitive, and physical, among students. Participants will explore current grief models, such as the Dual Process Model and Worden's Tasks, and learn how to apply these frameworks effectively in a school setting. The training focuses on practical communication techniques and individualized support strategies, enabling educators to create a compassionate and inclusive environment for grieving students. It empowers school professionals to offer practical, empathetic support, ensuring that grieving students' emotional and academic needs are met.

This training is ideal for school counselors, school social workers, psychologists, teachers, and other school personnel.

This training includes the slide deck, training handouts, and a bonus resource video.

Please note: participants will be watching a recorded video.

Are you ready to step into the life awaiting you as a Certified Professional? Upon successfully completing the training, attendees meet the education criteria to become Certified Grief-Informed Professionals through Evergreen Certifications. *Professional standards apply*

CGP - Certified Grief Informed Professional (US)



Learning Objectives

  • Identify common reactions and behaviors of grieving students, including emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms.
  • Recognize current theories and models of grief and how they apply to support grieving students.
  • Describe the potential impact of grief on academic performance, attendance, and social interactions, and recognize the importance of creating a supportive environment for grieving students.
  • Develop effective communication skills to engage with grieving students and families.
  • Identify strategies for supporting grieving students in the classroom, including individualized bereavement plans, grief support groups, and educational accommodations.
  • Determine ways to collaborate with school staff and families to create a cohesive support network for grieving students, ensuring consistent care and understanding throughout the school community.

Learning Levels

  • Beginner and Intermediate, all levels welcome

Target Audience

All mental health professionals welcome.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Kelly Daugherty, LCSW-R, FT, GC-C, BC-TMH

    Kelly Daugherty, a seasoned social worker with over two decades in the clinical field, is a Fellow in Thanatology, specializing in death, dying, and bereavement. Anchored in Malta, NY, she owns Greater Life Grief Counseling, LCSW, and the Center for Informed Grief, LLC. Kelly co-owns Healing Strides, LLC, where emotional and physical well-being intersects in a unique 7-week program for grieving women. Kelly is also a contributing author of "Holistic Mental Health" and "Brave Kids," and lead author in the collaborative book "The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience and Connection" set to release in February. She is dedicated to revolutionizing grief support by offering tools and insights to individuals and professionals alike.
    Connect with Kelly: https://linktr.ee/kellydaugherty

  • April A. Hannah, MS.ED., LMHC-D

    April Hannah, LMHC-D, founder of Hannah's Healing Wellness Studio and co-founder of Path 11 Productions, is a licensed mental health therapist with over 22 years of experience. She is a bestselling author of The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection. As a Reiki Master Teacher, she has taught more than 200 students and performed over 12,000 Reiki sessions since 2005. Her wellness studio in Malta, NY, offers 95-100 classes annually, including Reiki training, sound baths, meditation, and retreats. April has also produced three documentaries and hosts the Path 11 Podcast, exploring consciousness and life after death.

Disclosure

Erena DiGonis and planners have no financial disclosures or commercial bias or promote commercial interests during CE activities.

References

  • American Foundation of Teachers Press Release. (2012, December 12). A groundbreaking survey of educators shows overwhelming interest in helping grieving students. Retrieved April 29, 2023, from https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/media/2015/release_bereavement121012.pdf
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2022, March 18). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision Dsm-5-tr (5th ed.). Amer Psychiatric Pub Inc.
  • Breen, L. J., Kawashima, D., Joy, K., Cadell, S., Roth, D., Chow, A., & Macdonald, M. E. (2020). Grief literacy: A call to action for compassionate communities. Death Studies, 46(2), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2020.1739780
  • Breen, L. J., Mancini, V., Lee, S. A., Pappalardo, E. A., & Neimeyer, R. A. (2021). Risk factors for dysfunctional grief and functional impairment for all causes of death during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of meaning. Death Studies, 46(1), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2021.1974666
  • Carson, J., Gunda, A., Qasim, K., Allen, R., Bradley, M., & Prescott, J. (2021, October 12). Losing a Loved One During the Covid-19 Pandemic: An On-Line Survey Looking at the Effects on Traumatic Stress, Coping and Post-Traumatic Growth. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 003022282110496. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228211049683
  • Children and Youth Grief Network. (2018, February). A Handbook for Supporters: Extending Compassion to Grieving Youth. The Children and Youth Grief Network (CYGN).
  • Daniel, T. (2023). The Stubborn Persistence of Grief Stage Theory. Omega - Journal of Death and Dying, 003022282211498. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228221149801
  • Doka, K. J., & Martin, T. L. (2011, season-04). Grieving Styles: Gender and Grief. Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement, 14(2), 42–45.
  • Fell, L.C. | The Grief Toolbox. https://thegrieftoolbox.com/article/griefliteracytest
  • Gang, J., Kocsis, J., Avery, J., Maciejewski, P. K., & Prigerson, H. G. (2021). Naltrexone treatment for prolonged grief disorder: study protocol for a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Trials, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05044-8
  • Griese, B., Burns, M., & Farro, S. A. (2018, January 9). Pathfinders: Promoting healthy adjustment in bereaved children and families. Death Studies, 42(3), 134–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2017.1370416
  • Heart House Hospice. (2019, April 23). Kids Share Their Grief Experiences [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAuxtrmYa2I&t=15s
  • Hill, J. E., Cicchetti, R. J., Jackson, S. A., & Szirony, G. (2018). Perceptions of Grief Education in Accredited Counseling Programs: Recommendations for Counselor Education. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.5590/jsbhs.2018.12.1.05
  • Hunt, B. (2007). Teaching A Grief and Loss Counseling Course. Rehabilitation Education, 21(2), 101–106. https://doi.org/10.1891/088970107805059751
  • Judi’s House. (2024). Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model. https://judishouse.org/research-tools/cbem/
  • Lacasse, J. R., & Cacciatore, J. (2014). Prescribing of Psychiatric Medication to Bereaved Parents Following Perinatal/Neonatal Death: An Observational Study. Death Studies, 38(9), 589–596. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2013.820229
  • Neimeyer, R. A., & Harris, D. L. (2021, September 30). New Techniques of Grief Therapy (Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement) (1st ed.). Routledge.
  • Neimeyer, R. A. (2015, October 8). Techniques of Grief Therapy: Assessment and Intervention (Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement) (1st ed.). Routledge.
  • Neimeyer, R. A. (2012, April 12). Techniques of Grief Therapy: Creative Practices for Counseling the Bereaved (Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement) (1st ed.). Routledge.
  • Ober, A. M., Granello, D. H., & Wheaton, J. E. (2012). Grief Counseling: An Investigation of Counselors’ Training, Experience, and Competencies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(2), 150–159. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-6676.2012.00020.x
  • Parnell, L. (2008). Tapping in: A step-by-step guide to activating your healing resources through bilateral stimulation. Sounds True.
  • Peterson, N. L., & Goldberg, R. M. (2016, April 2). Creating Relationship Trees With Grieving Clients: An Experiential Approach to Grief Counseling. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 11(2), 198–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2016.1181597
  • Pham, S., Porta, G., Biernesser, C., Walker Payne, M., Iyengar, S., Melhem, N., & Brent, D. A. (2018). The Burden of Bereavement: Early-Onset Depression and Impairment in Youths Bereaved by Sudden Parental Death in a 7-Year Prospective Study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(9), 887–896. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17070792
  • Schnyder, U., & Cloitre, M. (2022, June 18). Evidence Based Treatments for Trauma-Related Psychological Disorders: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (2nd ed. 2022). Springer.
  • Schuurman, D. (2022, April 4). The Grief Pill is Coming! Mad in America. https://www.madinamerica.com/2022/04/grief-pill-coming/
  • Schuurman, D. L., & Mitchell, M. B. (2020). Becoming grief-informed: A call to action. Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families. www.dougy.org
  • Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Boerner, K. (2017, February 13). Cautioning Health-Care Professionals. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 74(4), 455–473. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222817691870
  • Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: rationale and description. Death studies, 23(3), 197–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/074811899201046
  • Stuhr, L. (2021). Meaning Making In Grief Counseling . Counselor Education Capstones, 148. https://openriver.winona.edu/counseloreducationcapstones/148
  • Tiers, M. (2011, December 1). The Anti-Anxiety Toolkit: Rapid techniques to rewire the brain. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
  • Verdery, A. M., Smith-Greenaway, E., Margolis, R., & Daw, J. (2020, July 10). Tracking the reach of COVID-19 kin loss with a bereavement multiplier applied to the United States. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(30), 17695–17701. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2007476117
  • Wolfelt, A. D. (2017, November 21). The Mourner’s Bill of Rights. Center for Loss & Life Transition. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.centerforloss.com/2016/11/mourners-bill-rights/
  • Wolfelt, A.D. (2016, December 16). Finding the Right Words: Guidelines on How to Talk to Grieving Children About Death. Center for Loss & Life Transition. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.centerforloss.com/2016/11/finding-right-words-guidelines-talk-grieving-children-death/
  • Worden, W. (2022, May 3). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy, 5th Edition: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner: Grief Counseling Handbook on Treatment of Grief, Loss and Bereavement. Independently published.

CE Process Info

Content

  • Materials
    12 parts
    • Training Slides
    • Training Handouts
    • Notes
    • Evergreen Certification
    • Module 1 Training Video
    • Module 2 Training Video
    • Module 3 Training Video
    • Module 4 Training Video
    • Module 5 Training Video
    • Module 6 Training Video
    • Grief Ritual Video
    • Bonus: Resources Video
  • New York State Education Department's State Board for SW (NYSW)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0676.

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education, #1858, formerly Erena DiGonis, LCSW, PLLC, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/25/2024-8/25/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6.75 continuing education credits.

  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7455. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. EngagedMinds Continuing Education is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for LMHC (NYS LMHC)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0284.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners (NYS LMFT)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0117.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

    Erena DiGonis, LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0270.

FAQs

  • Continuing Education Credit Questions
    Social Workers: NYS and ASWB ACE Canadian Social Workers: Canadian provinces accept courses approved by the ASWB for ongoing professional development. *New Jersey regulations state the following regarding acceptable sources of continuing education for Social Workers: "Attendance at programs or courses approved by boards that license social work practice in other states: one credit for each hour of attendance." This information can be found at the https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/regulations/Chapter-44G-State-Board-of-Social-Work-Examiners.pdf Professional Counselors: NYS LMHC and LMFT NBCC Psychologists: NYS PhD/PsyD and states that it accepts this credit. Please note we are NOT APA-approved **It is the participant's responsibility to check with their individual state board to verify continuing education requirements for their state.**
  • Are you ready to step into the life awaiting you as a Certified Professional?
    Upon successfully completing the training, attendees meet the education criteria to become Certified Grief Informed Professionals through Evergreen Certifications. *Professional standards apply* Detailed instructions are in the course materials. CGP - Certified Grief Informed Professional (US) https://www.evergreencertifications.com/certification/certified-grief-informed-professional/
  • Refund Policy
    We value your satisfaction and strive to provide high-quality self-study continuing education courses. We understand that circumstances may arise where you need to cancel your enrollment. To ensure transparency and fairness, we have established the following refund policy for self study: 1) Refund Eligibility: To be eligible for a refund, you must request it within 7 days of your purchase date. Refund requests made after the 7-day period will not be considered. 2) Refund Process: To request a refund, please contact our customer support team via email support@ce-go.com or by calling us at 888 498 5578. Clearly state your intention to seek a refund, providing the necessary details, including your name, purchase date, and course details. 3) Refund Amount: Approved refunds will be processed for the amount paid for the course, minus a $10 processing fee.
  • ADA Accommodations
    ADA accommodations will be made in accordance with the law; please indicate your special needs upon registering at least 30 days prior to the event by sending an email to support@ce-go.com or by calling us at 888 498 5578.
  • Customer Support
    We are here to help you. You can directly email at support@ce-go.com or call CE-Go at 1-888-498-5578.
  • Grievance
    We want to hear your concerns Please contact Erena DiGonis, LCSW-R, via email, and a response to your concerns will be provided within five business days. Please click here for the complete Grievance Policy
Grief-Informed Schools: Strategies for Supporting Grieving Students
You Have Completed This course
$155
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    6.75
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Jun 10th, 2025

Reset password


Reset your password by providing your email below





Next

We sent a reset password link to the email address you provided.


{{reset.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.

Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend



Next

Sign in


Enter your email to get started.




Next

Sign in


Good news! Your email is associated with an account. Enter your password or click here to reset it




Login

Thanks for signing up!


We sent an verification email to the address you provided. Please check your email to verify your email address.


{{signup.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.



Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend

Sign up




Sign up

Shopping Cart


Items
Price
Remove
  • {{ item.name }} ({{ item.courses.length }} courses)

    {{ item.credit_hours }} Credits
    {{ item.coupons.map((c)=> c.code).join(', ') }}
    ${{ item.totals.price }}
    ${{ item.totals.total_price }}
Apply


Cart is empty

Thank you for your purchase


To access the course content, click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking Courses


Go to Course

Thank you for your purchase

To access your courses, please click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking either Events or Courses


My Account

Payment

{{$store.state.payment.paymentErrorMessage }}
Pay now