Program Information:
Title: "Navigating Ambiguous Grief: Understanding the Unseen Losses"
Presenter: Whitney Lake, M.A., LMHC, NCC & Kelly Timmins
Date: September 20, 2024
Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
(Announcements, networking) 9:00 - 9:30 am
(Presentation) 9:30 - 10:30 am
Event Location/Modality: Virtual via Zoom
** After you've registered, look for the ZOOM link included in your confirmation email. The same ZOOM link will also be emailed again Thursday and Friday as a "just in case".**
Presentation Summary:
Ambiguous Grief is a phenomenon experienced by many people at various stages of their lives, but few professionals are well-versed in recognizing and providing specific support for the resulting pain and interpersonal difficulty. By understanding ambiguous grief, therapists avoid mistakenly labeling clients' reactions as pathological (e.g., prolonged grief disorder or depression) when they are actually normal responses to ambiguous grief Furthermore, traditional grief models may not fully apply to ambiguous grief and adapting approaches to include (1) focusing on acceptance rather than closure, (2) managing uncertainty, and (3) finding meaning in the midst of ongoing loss may be more effective in helping clients to identify and define their experience. Most significantly, knowledge of ambiguous grief fosters a stronger therapeutic alliance, particularly with clients who feel misunderstood or invalidated by others, including their own friends and family. Therapists who understand this concept can create a safe space where clients feel more fully understood and accepted.
Learning Objectives:
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Participants in this training will be able to define ambiguous grief.
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Participants will be able to identify activating events that could lead to ambiguous grief.
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Participants will learn and discuss suggested therapeutic approaches and interventions for client’s living with ambiguous grief.
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Participants will learn Pauline Boss’s 6 Guidelines for living with ambiguous grief.
Speaker Bio:
Whitney Lake, M.A., LMHC, NCC, graduated from Rollins College in 2018 with her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and certificate in Family and Couples studies. Since graduating she has worked with children, adults, and families in various mental health programs and settings including the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, school settings, community mental health settings, and private practice. In addition, Whitney is also an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Rollins College. She specializes in working with children ages 4 and up, trauma, and the LGBTQIA+ community and is EMDR trained and Adoption Competent. She enjoys supporting both her clients and students in helping them reach their goals and re-claim their personal power. Whitney is a “lifelong learner” who continues to engage in educational opportunities to grow personally and professionally. In February of 2024, she began her doctoral studies in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University. She hopes to engage in enhancing the mental health field through teaching and research related to increasing counselor education related to LGBTQIA+ youth and families.
Kelly Timmins is a dedicated Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student at Rollins College, currently in her Clinical Internship year. With a robust professional background, spanning over a decade in Digital Marketing and Reputation Management within the education and healthcare sectors, Kelly brings a wealth of experience to her counseling career. Her expertise includes conducting professional and continuing education trainings that foster a passion for lifelong learning. As Kelly nears the completion of her Masters degree, she is eager to pursue her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. Grounded in a humanistic and existential framework, her approach emphasizes systems-based methodologies and trauma-informed interventions. Her commitment to this field includes enhancing mental health services through comprehensive and engaging education, empathetic practice, and innovative research.
