Grief and Loss in Children and Youth:
Helping them cope with death & serious illness of a Loved One
Course date for 2nd half of 2023 released. Please check below.
COURSE DATE
2 Nov 2023 (9 am to 5 pm)
Course Fee & AVAILABLE FUNDING
Normal Fees: S$580
SkillsFuture Credit: Pending
NTUC UTAP: Pending
NCSS VCF Pre- Approval Funding: Pending
Schools & Ministries: e-invoicing via vendor.gov
Delivery Mode
In-Person. Classroom
about the trainer
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Ms Sylvia Tan is a registered Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor. She earned her Master of Psychology (Counselling) degree from Australia in 2002. In all, Sylvia has 17 years of clinical experience working as a psychologist in outpatient psychiatric clinics, community and government agencies both in Australia and Singapore. She has seen adults, adolescents and children with mental health difficulties such as depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, trauma, complex trauma, psychosis or personality difficulties. She has also worked with couples and families undergoing martial difficulties, divorce and separation. Also, Sylvia has 10 years experience in divorce and child custody related matters . She previously worked in the Family Justice Courts and the Community Psychology Hub as the lead psychologist and clinical supervisor for child custody evaluation reports. She was a clinical supervisor for psychologists working in the Divorce Specialist Support Agencies (DSSAs), dealing with complex cases of parental alienation and child access problems. |
What participants say
My key takeaways are (1) understanding the dynamics of divorce, and (2) impact on parents, extended families, children and adolescents - Student Welfare Officer in a local school
In my setting in the Crisis Shelter, I like the Child Interview Tools and how to talk to the child about the parents' separation. I also learned that the brain of the child below 5 years old will pick up a lot especially their experience of abuse or violence - the prolong stress does affect their brains - Social Worker in a social service agency
I will use the information on protective factors and impact of divorce on children to psychoeducate parents who are undergoing divorce. Also, i will definitely use some of the engagement tools to check in with children on how they are impacted by divorce and then, importantly, feedback to parents to enhance parental support for children - Social Worker in a social service agency
When I return to the office, I will try to incorporate, eg, Bear Cards and drawing Bag of Worries when working with the children to help them process their feelings, and help them to understand what they are going through when the parents separate - Social Worker in a social service agency
In my setting in the Crisis Shelter, I like the Child Interview Tools and how to talk to the child about the parents' separation. I also learned that the brain of the child below 5 years old will pick up a lot especially their experience of abuse or violence - the prolong stress does affect their brains - Social Worker in a social service agency
I will use the information on protective factors and impact of divorce on children to psychoeducate parents who are undergoing divorce. Also, i will definitely use some of the engagement tools to check in with children on how they are impacted by divorce and then, importantly, feedback to parents to enhance parental support for children - Social Worker in a social service agency
When I return to the office, I will try to incorporate, eg, Bear Cards and drawing Bag of Worries when working with the children to help them process their feelings, and help them to understand what they are going through when the parents separate - Social Worker in a social service agency
Course Overview
As world population ages, we are witnessing an increased number of deaths and illnesses across the globe. Many families have experienced the death of family members or their loved ones developing serious illnesses. Naturally, children and adolescents are affected psychologically and emotionally.
Grief and loss is a process; it may be experienced from the onset of the event, eg cancer prognosis, but may not end when the family member dies. Children and youths, too, will experience grief and loss. However, they experience and exhibit grief and loss differently from adults. Unless parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals are trained, they will likely miss signs that their children are struggling emotionally, or know how to support them adequately. As a result of lack of practical support, these children may develop emotional, mental, or behavioral baggages that hinder them throughout their entire lives.
This workshop is designed to equip participants with a good understanding of the grief and loss process in children and youth. Participants will learn to identify signs of grief and loss in children. They will practice helpful strategies to help children and youths.
This workshop has 3 parts. Part 1 walks through the grief and loss process in children. Through an experiential exercise, participants will reflect on their own experiences with grief and loss in order to explore their own comfort level in supporting grieving children. Part 2 teaches practical skills and tools to support a grieving child/youth upon death of a loved one. Part 3 focuses on how to support a child when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for participants with or without psychological background. It is suitable for:
Duration
9 am to 5 pm
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: Grief and Loss in Children
Part 2: Supporting a Child When a Loved One Dies
Part 3: Supporting a Child When a Loved One is Diagnosed with Serious Illness
As world population ages, we are witnessing an increased number of deaths and illnesses across the globe. Many families have experienced the death of family members or their loved ones developing serious illnesses. Naturally, children and adolescents are affected psychologically and emotionally.
Grief and loss is a process; it may be experienced from the onset of the event, eg cancer prognosis, but may not end when the family member dies. Children and youths, too, will experience grief and loss. However, they experience and exhibit grief and loss differently from adults. Unless parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals are trained, they will likely miss signs that their children are struggling emotionally, or know how to support them adequately. As a result of lack of practical support, these children may develop emotional, mental, or behavioral baggages that hinder them throughout their entire lives.
This workshop is designed to equip participants with a good understanding of the grief and loss process in children and youth. Participants will learn to identify signs of grief and loss in children. They will practice helpful strategies to help children and youths.
This workshop has 3 parts. Part 1 walks through the grief and loss process in children. Through an experiential exercise, participants will reflect on their own experiences with grief and loss in order to explore their own comfort level in supporting grieving children. Part 2 teaches practical skills and tools to support a grieving child/youth upon death of a loved one. Part 3 focuses on how to support a child when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for participants with or without psychological background. It is suitable for:
- Social workers, Counsellors and Psychologists
- Educators
- Medical Social Workers working in hospitals and medical institutions
- Pastoral care and welfare staff
Duration
9 am to 5 pm
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: Grief and Loss in Children
- What is grief and loss?
- How society and culture shape grief and loss
- Impact of loss on the family system
- Common misconception of grief and loss in children?
- Experiential Exercise for participants to know:
- their own process and mechanism in dealing with grief and loss
- their comfort level to support grieving children and youth
Part 2: Supporting a Child When a Loved One Dies
- The stages of grief, and how children and youths experience those stages.
- The developmental stages and manifestation of grief for children and youths.
- Impact of developmental stages and needs on how children cope, in particular with the death of a loved one.
- Warning signs to look out for in children and youths experiencing grief upon death
- How to support children and youths experiencing grief upon death
Part 3: Supporting a Child When a Loved One is Diagnosed with Serious Illness
- Research on psychological and emotional impact of children and youths whose family member is diagnosed with serious illness
- Warning signs to look out for in children and youth upon diagnosis
- Practical strategies and skills to support the grieving child upon diagnosis
