Piers Heaney
An Educational Offering
Realignment After Loss
A course of Study
that focuses on Dimensions of
Loss, Grief, Death and Bereavement
"The study of loss, grief, death and bereavement is focused on issues that are at the centre of human experience. The person who sets out to increase his or her knowledge in this field is embarking on an exploration that is partly a journey of personal discovery. It is learning that restores our sense of the value of living and ultimately enables us to honour death."
The Last Dance : DeSpelder & Strickland
This Course is not intended to be the complete, or definitive, A – Z of grief. It is however a comprehensive introduction to these issues and will provide a solid foundation for anyone who is interested in this field, and from which to select areas for further study.
The first five modules lay a foundation from which to understand grief and the issues that affect specific types of grieving. This work forms the basis for then exploring death-related grief issues in the next four modules. Module Ten is workplace focused and offers additional strategies to respond to life transitions that are often traumatic, and the final module is focused on self-care – an essential component when exposed to grief and grieving people on an ongoing basis.
This course offers theoretical constructs, practical interventions and applied learning activities.
Overview
of Content &
Learning Outcomes
of each Module
Long term goals and specific philosophy that underpins the course, are focused on changing current social expectations and behaviour, and to provide a climate in which it is acceptable if not to express one’s grief, at least to be able to acknowledge it honestly, and for such honest expression to be understood.
More specific and immediate aims of the course are:
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To assist you to become more aware of your own attitudes and feelings about loss, grief, death and bereavement.
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To develop your already existing skills so that your caring for those who are grieving can be even more effective.
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To provide you with soundly based knowledge in the subject and practical interventions that will assist you in communicating with people in loss, grief and death situations.
This is a self-directed learning course without pressure of time-tables.
It can be commenced at any time.
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Each module has specific learning outcomes that are related to the topic.
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There is a choice of practical assignments and reading questions to be completed at the end of each module.
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Keeping a journal is a requirement of the study.
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Suggested learning activities are included throughout the work.
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Research into a topic of the student's choice is required for completion.
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One case study is required for completion of the study.
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Each module is individually assessed and personalised feedback is offererd.
The focus is educative and not therapeutic
although it may result in therapeutic outcomes
for some people.
Completing the first three modules is a pre-requisite to then completing the course or to selecting additional modules. A certificate will be issued to acknowledge work completed.
The work is currently not recognised by NZQA. It has however, received endorsement by The Association of Death Educators and Counsellors (ADEC).
This work has grown from thirty years of studying and working with the issues of loss, grief, death and bereavement. And from the teaching of the
many people who have shared their joy and sorrow, their living and their dying with me.
The Course is recognised by ADEC
(The Association for Death Education and Counselling)
and carries their endorsement
"This educational offering is recognised by the Association for Death Education and Counselling to meet the thanatology-related contact hours requirement to be Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement."
If you like what you have read and this course is of interest to you, please send me a message and let me know.
I can then offer more detail about how to get started, and answer any questions you may have. Just sending an email will not commit you to anything.
I believe a more personal discussion is warranted before embarking on this study, if only to allay any fears or uncertainties you may have.
I would love to hear from you.
"It's all about Developing People Potential"