Changes to Grief in the DSM-5 Lead to New Assessment Criteria and Treatment Strategies
The lives of millions of people are touched by death annually. While the majority of people are able to manage their grief symptoms without treatment, others require therapeutic intervention. Given the individuality of grieving, clinicians must be able to address issues, such as cross-cultural differences, grief among youth, gender differences in grieving, and how to help the "Wounded Healer."

This webinar takes a scientific exploration of the concept of grief (including ways in which grief and bereavement differ) and offers a variety of techniques for managing grief symptoms among different client groups. The fundamental differences between the diagnoses of grief using the DSM-IV-TR versus the DSM-5 will be highlighted. Participants will leave the webinar with a variety of assessment techniques and treatment options to be used in their clinical practices.

Course Content

A. Diagnosing Grief
  1. DSM-IV-TR vs. DSM-5
  2. Bereavement vs. Complicated Grief
  3. Differentials with anxiety, depression, PTSD
  4. Predictors of bereavement outcome
B. Assessment and Treatment
  1. Traumatic Grief Inventory and other questionnaires
  2. Techniques and Tips
    a. Letter writing
    b. Photos to illustrate grief/post-loss activities
    c. Private ceremonies
    d. Grief Groups vs. Individual Sessions
C. Responding to Grief: Special Cases
  1. Cross-cultural differences
  2. Youth
  3. Males
  4. LGBT
  5. The “Wounded Healer”
  6. The complicating role of social media