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CAPC Palliative Care Discussion Forum
Designing a Program
Bereavement CounselorAuthor: mking
Date: Apr 4, 2009 3:02 pm
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The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) offers a certificate in Thanatology (CT) but it requires a master's degree. {http://adec.org}
And the American Academy of Grief Counseling (AAGC) also offers a reputable certification in Grief Counseling {http://www.aihcp.org/aagc.htm}. I have seen several bereavement professionals to hold credentialing in both organizations. Personally I have found ADEC's networking and advocacy to be an invaluable support. I would strongly recommend your counselor join either of both even if she/he does not yet meet the certification standards.
ADEC maintains a partial list of education opportunities and training: {http://adec.org/events/courses.cfm} and AAGC offers proprietary online courses. I have heard excellent feedback and some initial research to indicate that online offerings are becoming very high quality.
The ADEC conference is in Dallas next week, I will keep an eye out for programs more local to NY.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Tim Ford
Palliative Chaplain
VCU Massey Cancer Center
After reading your post I really wanted to share that there is a reason that a Bereavement Counselor, Social Worker or Chaplain needs an advanced degree. The nature of this work is complicated, with many instances where the personal life and professional responsibility become entangled- and the vulnerable patient and/or family can be emotionally harmed due to the caregiver's lack of awareness.
Unfortunately, many professionals with the Master's degree and interest/skills/calling to bereavement support must be open to a lower salary as positions can be difficult to find.
The Association of Professional Chaplains (www.acpe.edu) has a program called Clinical Pastoral Education, "CPE", where students train to be chaplains and are supervised by a clinical supervisor. Maybe there is a site near you that could provide high quality service with a low cost?