When we experience deep and tragic loss, our responses can vary significantly. Some clients have trouble accessing the words to fully describe the feelings and thoughts associated with this loss. This is where the expressive arts can help. Art is a different way to be able to relay the impact of loss and start the healing process, especially for those who are feeling “stuck.” Clinicians and clients do not need to be artists themselves to use these interventions in sessions, because it is not about the product but the act.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Determine how art can be helpful for clients in the grief and loss cycle
- Teach and utilize art in session to address grief
- Discuss emotional response to the art with clients
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Developmental Trauma Disorder and Early Impacts
- Criteria for Developmental Trauma Disorder
- Functional impairments in emotional, cognitive, and relational domains
- Impacts of trauma, grief, and loss on brain and behavior
Objective #2: Neurology and Early Attachment
- Effects of feeling safe on nervous system development
- Influence of prenatal and perinatal health issues
- Formation of neurological pathways based on early experiences
Objective #3: Developmental Stages and Trauma
- Birth to two years: tasks of identity, connection, and exploration
- Trauma impact on communication, exploration, and memory
- Pre-verbal trauma and lasting emotional triggers
Objective #4: Attachment Challenges
- Behavioral signs of attachment difficulties
- Internalized beliefs formed through disrupted attachment
- Effects on sensory integration, social development, and emotional regulation
Objective #5: Approaches to Building Healthy Attachment
- Balancing structure and nurturing
- Importance of therapeutic parenting techniques
- Attunement: emotional connection through accurate interpretation and response
Objective #6: Intentional and Therapeutic Parenting
- Developing purposeful parenting plans
- Maintaining a long-term perspective and practicing caregiver self-care
- Recognizing the slow healing process for traumatized children
Objective #7: Clinical Implications for Child and Family
- Importance of early intervention to support brain repair
- Differences in behavior origins requiring specialized responses
- Risk factors associated with multiple placements and disruptions
Objective #8: Positive Adoption Language
- Shifting from negative to positive language in adoption conversations
- Examples of appropriate terms to foster dignity and respect
Objective #9: Therapeutic Issues in Adoption
- Open versus closed adoptions and associated challenges
- Managing experiences of separation, loss, and multiple placements
- Supporting sibling relationships and engagement with birth families
Objective #10: Addressing Post-Adoption Challenges
- Understanding post-adoption blues and grief
- Strategies for honoring birth families in open and closed adoptions
- Helping children maintain connections with their cultural and familial roots
Objective #11: Adoption Stories and Cultural Reflections
- Stories of notable adoptees and the role of adoption in shaping identity
- Normalizing complex emotions surrounding adoption experiences
Objective #12: Key Considerations for Supporting Adopted Children
- Importance of helping children understand their life stories
- Continuous revisiting of life experiences through developmental stages
- Empowering appropriate emotional expression and behavioral understanding
Social workers completing this course receive 2 General Skill Building asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 General Skill Building continuing education training.
Instructor: Tonya M. Logan, LICSW, LCSW-C
Recording Date: 4/25/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs General continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com