Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children: A Practical Guide for Professionals

by Andy McNiel M.A., Pamela Gabbay EdD, FT

Overview

This practical guide provides a framework and useful techniques for helping bereaved youth in numerous settings

This welcomed addition to the field of childhood bereavement is brimming with innovative yet practical interventions for human service professionals helping grieving youth in a variety of settings. Written by noted experts with over 40 years of combined experience, this comprehensive “how to” book provides both a framework for understanding how grief impacts the lives of children, and models, techniques and interventions for individual, family, and group counseling.

The book is based on best practices and the authors experience working with grieving families. It includes hands-on tips for interacting with and helping grieving children. Specific guidelines are provided for individual and group support including practical methods for creating meaningful spaces for young people to find help, encouragement, and healing. The book’s developmental, environmental, cultural, and social considerations equip professionals with the tools to better understand the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual reactions of their young clients. Additionally, the book offers insightful information on professional accountability, ethical concerns, educational recommendations and training. Professionals who work with bereaved children daily and those who occasionally encounter them in their practice will find a wealth of resources in this book.

Key Features:

• Brimming with innovative, practical interventions to support grieving children and teens
• Provides individual, family, and group counseling models, techniques, and interventions
• Embodies strategies for working with bereaved youth that can be used in a variety of settings, including mental health, health care, schools, and faith communities
• Offers a framework for understanding how grief impacts the lives of children

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826140494
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	07/27/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Andy McNiel, MA, is a co-owner of Satori Management and Consulting, LLC, providing education and consultation to the death, end-of-life, and bereavement fields. Andy serves the childhood bereavement field as a national fund-raiser, thought leader, and ambassador for issues related to childhood bereavement support, traveling extensively throughout the United States. Andy has served as a nonprofit manager and leader throughout his career, and has provided support and counseling to bereaved children, teenagers, and adults in a variety of support settings. He has served as chief executive officer of the National Alliance for Grieving Children, executive director of The Amelia Center in Birmingham, Alabama, and director of grief support services for Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida. He is a national trainer for Boys and Girls Clubs of America and a member of the facilitator training corps of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He is a nationally recognized presenter and trainer, using a balance of humor, teaching, and facilitating on a variety of topics related to strategic planning, nonprofit leadership, childhood bereavement support, adult bereavement issues, and group facilitation. He holds a BA in religion from Palm Beach Atlantic University and an MA in counseling from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Pamela Gabbay, EdD, FT, is a co-owner of Satori Management and Consulting, LLC, providing education and consultation to the death, end-of-life, and bereavement fields. Dr. Gabbay is an adjunct faculty member at Brandman University in California and is a member of the training corps for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Formerly, Dr. Gabbay was the director of the Mourning Star Center for Grieving Children. She created and served as camp director for Camp Erin, Palm Springs, a bereavement camp for children. She served two terms on the board of directors of the National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC). Dr. Gabbay served as the president of the Southern California Chapter of the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Each year, Dr. Gabbay presents at multiple national conferences. She has presented at the annual conferences for the NAGC, the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the MISS Foundation, the American Association of Suicidology, Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation, and the Childhood Grief and Traumatic Loss Conference. Dr. Gabbay holds a Fellow in Thanatology certification from the Association for Death Education and Counseling and earned a master of arts degree in cognitive psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She earned a doctor of education degree in organizational leadership from Brandman University.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Donna Schuurman

Preface

Chapter 1 - Understanding Childhood Grief and the Bereavement Professional's Role

Chapter 2 - Impact of Grief on Children

Chapter 3 - Suicide, Homicide, Sudden Death, and Illness

Chapter 4 - Death of a Parent

Chapter 5 - Death of Other Family Members

Chapter 6 - Factors that Promote Health in Grieving Children

Chapter 7 - Modes of Helping

Chapter 8 - Grief Support Settings for Bereaved Children

Chapter 9 - Activities that Engage Children

Chapter 10 - Professional Accountability and Ethical Considerations