Virtual Training: A Journey to Meaning Making in Suicide Loss and Traumatic Bereavement with EMDR Component

Course Description:

Suicide loss is an intensely complex and often isolating experience. Suicide loss survivors are those who have lost a loved one to suicide and are considered the invisible population in the mental health sphere. This training is geared to help practitioners widen their understanding of the current suicide epidemic and what that means for those left behind, the suicide loss survivors. This training aims to equip practitioners to help this invisible population with confidence, courage and competence.

In this training, practitioners will receive a short review of the current suicide epidemic, bereavement history, attachment theory in bereavement and then a more in depth discussion about the research on suicide loss survivors, suicide bereavement and its qualitative uniqueness as compared to other losses. Dr. Garbuz will discuss elements of suicide bereavement, symptoms, complicated, prolonged and traumatic grief, PTSD, and the use of EMDR. Finally, Dr. Garbuz will review the meaning making in suicide loss treatment program she designed for suicide loss survivors based on the incredible work of researchers Robert Niemeyer and John R Jordan. This program focuses on taking the suicide loss survivor on a journey towards meaning and post traumatic growth, through the integration of psychological tasks unique to suicide loss survivors over the course of 12 workshops. Dr. Garbuz will discuss how practitioners can integrate these workshops into their work with suicide loss survivors.

This training integrates existential and spiritual considerations, assessment and counselor training and competence.

Content/Learning Objectives: