Grief and Loss 4-Day Intensive Master Class

Presenter: Hospice Waikato

This 4-day course on grief and bereavement aims to offer knowledge and strategies to equip participants to effectively support grieving people within the scope of their role and/or professionals practice. The course has an experiential learning approach within which participants reflect on their own grief and bereavement experiences and examine how these impacts their work with others. Training methods utilise a variety of learning interventions to ensure this professional development opportunity is stimulating, engaging, memorable and practical. Learning opportunities may include creative activities and self reflection, along with group work and discussion.

This course would suit those who work with or support individuals and families through end of life and/or grief and bereavement. This includes health care professionals, counsellors, clinical supervisors, social workers, chaplains, funeral directors, bereavement support staff, leaders in faith communities and social service providers.

Course Content:

• Personal Experiences of grief and bereavement
• Different types of grief
• Theories and models of grief and loss
• A New Zealand cultural perspective of grief and loss
• The therapeutic use of self
• When professionals weep
• Advanced communication skills in the face of suffering
• When a family grieves
• Working with children and young people
• Diverse culture and spirituality
• Increasing empathy
• Building resilience and self care

PRESENTERS:
Andrea Dobbs, Educator, Education Team Leader, MNZCCA
In my current role at Hospice Waikato, I provide education to health professionals on talking about dying; grief and loss; and self-care. These were also topics I taught for ten years to training counsellors.

Charmaine Smit, Family Services Co-Ordinator/Counsellor, MNZAC
I have worked as a Counsellor at Hospice Waikato since 2007. I have published articles on theories and models of grief (2015) and self-care (2017) in Whitireia Nursing and Health Journal.

Nigel Rowling, Counsellor, MNZAC
Working with Children and Young People is my speciality at Hospice Waikato. It’s my understanding that grief and loss can shape our “way of being” in the informative years of adolescence and childhood. This ignites my passion for their personal growth, family relationships and I enjoy seeing young people process their grief in their own unique way. 

Nolan Hodgson, NZ Registered Music Therapist
As the music therapist at Hospice Waikato I work with children, adults and often their family members alongside them. Within my sessions I work with people experiencing a broad range of psychosocial symptoms such as grief, anxiety and isolation as well as supporting people with physical goals, maintaining cognitive functions and pain management. 

Viv Young, Manager Family Services, MNZAC
I provide leadership and support for our Family Services Team at Hospice Waikato. The team includes Social Workers, Counsellors who work with children, young people and adults, a Spiritual Care Coordinator, Massage & Music Therapists and an Occupational Therapist. 

Virginia Lee, Social Worker, Family Services
I have worked in the Health and Disability sector since commencing social work in oncology, disability, including 15 years with another Hospice team. I spent several years in front line social services such as Vinnies, City Mission and those working in the homelessness sector.