Through a combination of educational modules, case discussions, coping strategies, journaling prompts, and practical assignments, participants will achieve the following learning objectives:

1. Identify Complicated and Traumatic Grief Factors:

• • Understand the unique grief responses associated with divorce and how they differ from other forms of loss.
• • Recognize the signs and symptoms of complicated and traumatic grief in clients.

2. Develop Effective Intervention Strategies:

• • Learn and apply therapeutic techniques specifically tailored to address grief following divorce, with attention to diverse populations.
• • Implement family-centered approaches that support the healing of the entire family system.

3. Enhance Cultural Competence:

• • Gain insight into how cultural backgrounds and beliefs influence the experience of grief and divorce.
• • Apply culturally sensitive practices to effectively support clients from diverse communities.

1. Understanding Complicated Grief

• • Description: This module explores the nature of complicated grief, distinguishing it from normal grief. It covers symptoms, risk factors, and the impact on individuals and families. Additionally, it examines how divorce can act as a catalyst for complicated grief, affecting emotional stability and family dynamics.
• • Key Topics: Diagnostic criteria, case studies, therapeutic approaches, and divorce-related grief.

2. Traumatic Grief and Its Impact

• • Description: Focuses on the intersection of trauma and grief, examining how traumatic events can exacerbate grief responses. It includes strategies for identifying and addressing traumatic grief. This module also delves into the specific trauma associated with divorce, including feelings of abandonment, loss of identity, and the impact on children.
• • Key Topics: Trauma-informed care, PTSD, grief interventions, and divorce trauma.

3. Family Dynamics and Grief

• • Description: Investigates how grief affects family systems, including changes in roles, communication patterns, and relationships. It emphasizes the importance of family-centered approaches. The module highlights how divorce can disrupt family dynamics, leading to complex grief responses and necessitating targeted interventions.
• • Key Topics: Systemic therapy, family resilience, support strategies, and divorce-related family changes.

4. Cultural Competence in Grief Counseling

• • Description: Addresses the cultural dimensions of grief, highlighting how cultural beliefs and practices influence grieving processes. It provides tools for culturally sensitive interventions. This module includes a focus on how different cultures perceive and handle divorce, and the unique grief responses that may arise.
• • Key Topics: Cross-cultural perspectives, cultural humility, inclusive practices, and cultural views on divorce.

5. Interventions for Complicated and Traumatic Grief

• • Description: Offers practical techniques and interventions for managing complicated and traumatic grief. It includes evidence-based practices and emerging therapies. Special attention is given to interventions that address the specific grief and trauma associated with divorce, helping clients navigate their emotional landscape.
• • Key Topics: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Experiential therapy, narrative therapy, and divorce-related interventions.

6. Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals

• • Description: Emphasizes the importance of self-care for professionals working with grief and trauma. It provides strategies for maintaining personal well-being and preventing burnout. This module also discusses the emotional toll of working with clients experiencing divorce-related trauma and grief, offering self-care techniques to manage this stress.
• • Key Topics: Mindfulness, stress management, professional support networks, and managing divorce-related client trauma.

No prerequisites are required.

On the final day of the program, participants take the State of Texas “TSBDE” Dental Assisting Exam.

Additionally, this program prepares participants for the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting Clinical Certification (DACC) Exam.  For more information about this exam, please visit the NWCA website.

Certification exam information is for reference purposes only and exam fees are not included in the program cost.

Private Loans
• The only loan provider PEWD accepts is Sallie Mae.
• When applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan to cover the registration fee for a non-credit continuing education program, please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599.
• The loan amount must be at least $500.00.
• The loan amount in the application cannot exceed the enrollment fee noted on our website.
• Books will NOT be included in the loan amount.
• Service charges may apply.

Workforce Solutions
Training & Education Scholarships

Hidalgo County Access to Success Program
Access to Success – HCCSA
 

Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.