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Fundamentals of Grief and Loss by Jessica Johansson, M.Div., held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 9am-11am ET via Zoom. **NOTE CHANGE OF DATE & PRESENTER**
Course Description – the course will prepare participants to work with clients experiencing grief and loss due to death, physical and/or mental health challenges, trauma, and life transitions. The course will provide clinical tools and techniques for counseling and treating clients whose lives have been significantly impacted by losses of various types. The course will include didactic presentation, real-world case studies, experiential exercises, and Q & A.
Which topics will be discussed?
- grief, bereavement, mourning, and loss(es) throughout the lifespan
- importance of the specific nature of clients’ grief/loss (the circumstances of the death/loss)
- theories and models for supporting grieving clients
- cultural differences and similarities re: beliefs, practices, customs/traditions, and rituals used in dying, death, and grief
- Grieving in community: importance of support groups (professional or peer-led)
- different ways to support grieving clients – expressive arts: visual arts, writing as healing, music, movement, breath work (somatic therapies), and spiritual connection
- significance and influence of our own experiences with dying, death, grief and loss when we are working with grieving clients
Course Objectives:
- To be able to recognize and respond to various types of grief with appropriate treatment planning and interventions
- To be able to employ various grief theories and treatment models to facilitate healthy grieving
- To learn the key components to structure and facilitate effective grief support groups
Teaching goals:
- For participants to develop strategies for helping clients process specific types of grief
- For participants to take into consideration cultural differences and norms (of their clients and their own)
- For participants to develop strategies for assisting clients with addressing complicated, traumatic, and prolonged grief
- For participants to help clients integrate their loss(es) into their day-to-day lives
- For participants to help clients re-engage with life and create meaning from their loss(es)
Biography:
Rev. Jessica Johansson is a NEDA-Proficient End-of-Life Doula, Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula, Death Educator, and Interfaith Minister. In 2022, she founded Sacred Journey End-of-Life Services, offering comprehensive end-of-life care, bereavement support, and celebrant services in the Greater Monadnock Region of New Hampshire.
In addition to her work with Sacred Journey, Jessica serves as the Director of Community Engagement for Life Forest Cemetery and is an active member of the Board of Directors for the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance. She regularly hosts Death Cafés and provides death education to healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses. Jessica also facilitates ongoing grief support groups, both in-person and online, offering ongoing support to individuals navigating the grieving process.
Passionate about fostering open conversations around death and dying, Jessica is dedicated to offering compassionate support and education to individuals and their families, helping them navigate life’s final journey with care and understanding.
CEs: NH-NASW Approved for 2.0 CE’s
Accomodations Request: Should you need accomodations, please contact Tina Borsa at (603)355-2244 x8118 or tborsa@mapsnh.org
ATTENTION MAPS AFFILIATED: Select “Pay Now” even if balance is $0.00 as this will submit your registration information.
Cancelation Policy: Refunds can be made up to 1-week prior to workshop. Refund will be minus the PayPal fee for those using that Payment Method. Extenuating circumstances outside of this refund timeframe will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please request refunds in writing by emailing Tina Borsa at tborsa@mapsnh.org.
