415.650.01 FACILITATING FAMILY ADAPTATION TO LOSS AND DISABILITY I

Provides theoretical constructs for understanding the meaning of loss in maternal and child health, and techniques for short-term counseling that facilitate a healthy grief reaction for the bereaved family. Case studies of typical and atypical reactions are discussed for losses such as perinatal loss (miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, termination of pregnancy for genetic reasons); birth of a child with a genetic condition/birth defect; death of a child with a chronic illness; and infertility. Topics include the psychology of pregnancy; and perinatal loss; phases of grief reaction; the art of facilitating bereavement; practical interventions in the hospital; follow-up counseling and short-term psychotherapy; resources; special needs of family members; gender differences; grandparent and sibling issues; provider issues (counter-transference, self-care, and burn-out prevention). Includes lecture, discussion, role play, video, field trips, and presentations by bereaved parents.

Following this course, students will be able to (1) describe the typical grief reaction of parents who have had perinatal losses; (2) analyze cases in terms of attachment theory, developmental stages of pregnancy, grief theory, and patterns of grief, as well as cultural and gender effects on bereavement; (3) develop theory-based counseling interventions for grieving couples, children and families; and (4) become aware of own history of loss, and attitudes, behaviors, and counter-transference issues that affect one's development as a grief counselor.