This practical guide provides a framework and useful techniques for helping bereaved youth in numerous settings This welcomed addition to the field of childhood bereavement is brimming with innovative yet practical interventions for human service professionals helping grieving youth in a variety of settings. Written by noted experts with over 40 years of combined experience, this comprehensive “how to” book provides both a framework for understanding how grief impacts the lives of children, and models, techniques and interventions for individual, family, and group counseling. The book is based on best practices and the authors experience working with grieving families. It includes hands-on tips for interacting with and helping grieving children. Specific guidelines are provided for individual and group support including practical methods for creating meaningful spaces for young people to find help, encouragement, and healing. The book’s developmental, environmental, cultural, and social considerations equip professionals with the tools to better understand the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual reactions of their young clients. Additionally, the book offers insightful information on professional accountability, ethical concerns, educational recommendations and training. Professionals who work with bereaved children daily and those who occasionally encounter them in their practice will find a wealth of resources in this book. Key Features: Brimming with innovative, practical interventions to support grieving children and teens Provides individual, family, and group counseling models, techniques, and interventions Embodies strategies for working with bereaved youth that can be used in a variety of settings, including mental health, health care, schools, and faith communities Offers a framework for understanding how grief impacts the lives of children

Bringing together fourteen experts from across the United States and Canada, Bereaved Children and Teens is a comprehensive guide to helping children and adolescents cope with the emotional, religious, social, and physical consequences of a loved one's death. The result is an indispensable reference for parents, teachers, counselors, health-care professionals, and clergy. Topics covered include what to say and what not to say when explaining death to very young children; how teenagers grieve differently from children and adults; how to translate Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish beliefs about death into language that children can understand; how ethnic and cultural differences can affect how children grieve; what teachers and parents can do to help bereaved young people at school; and activities, books, and films that help children and teens cope.

Understanding Child and Adolescent Grief incorporates theory, clinical applications, case studies, and current research on contemporary models of grief pertaining to children and adolescents. The integration of developmental perspectives, attachment theory, and neurobiological implications provides a thorough summary of the many factors that can affect a child's growth and development, and the subsequent influence on grief expression. Chapters explore relevant social topics rarely addressed in other texts, such as the death of African American men, suicide among Aboriginal youth in Canada, death/suicide among LGBTQ youth and social media's influence. Also included are practical tips for helping professionals who want to better understand how grief and loss affect children and teens, as well as a meditation guide that provides concrete opportunities for growth and healing.

This acclaimed work describes a range of counseling and therapy approaches for children who have experienced loss. Practitioners and students are given practical strategies for helping preschoolers through adolescents cope with different forms of bereavement, including death in the family, school, and community. Grounded in research on child therapy, bereavement, trauma, and child development, the volume includes rich case presentations and clearly explains the principles that guide interventions. Eleven reproducible assessment tools and handouts can also be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

This classic resource helps guide the bereaved person through the loss of a loved one, and provides an opportunity to learn to live with and work through the personal grief process.

Machine generated contents note: -- FOREWORD by Kenneth J. Doka -- SECTION 1: Foundational Knowledge to Support Bereaved Students at School -- 1. The Importance of Supporting Bereaved Students at School -- Jacqueline A. Brown and Shane R. Jimerson -- 2. Defining Loss: Preparing to Support Bereaved Students -- Tina Barrett and Lindsey M. Nichols -- 3. Cognitive Developmental Considerations in Supporting Bereaved Students -- Victoria A. Comerchero -- 4. The Importance of Assessment in Supporting Bereaved Students -- Catherine B. Woahn and Benjamin S. Fernandez -- 5. The Importance of Consultation in Supporting Bereaved Students -- Jeffrey C. Roth -- 6. Cross-Cultural Considerations in Supporting Bereaved Students -- Sandra A. López -- 7. Family Considerations in Supporting Bereaved Students -- Melissa J. Hagan and Allie Morford -- 8. The Role of Digital and Social Media in Supporting Bereaved Students -- Carla J. Sofka -- SECTION 2: Interventions to Support Bereaved Students at Schoo -- 9. Using Grief Support Groups to Support Bereaved Students -- Renée Bradford Garcia -- 10. Using Cognitive and Behavioral Methods to Support Bereaved Students -- Rosemary Flanagan -- 11. Using Bibliotherapy to Support Bereaved Students -- Ellie L. Young, Melissa A. Heath, Kathryn Smith, Afton Phillbrick, Karli Miller, Camden Stein, and Haliaka Kama -- 12. Using Music Therapy-Based Songwriting to Support Bereaved Students -- Thomas A. Dalton and Robert E. Krout -- 13. Using Play Therapy to Support Bereaved Students -- Karrie L. Swan and Rebecca Rudd -- 14. Using Creative Art Interventions to Support Bereaved Students -- Grace Zambelli -- 15. Using Writing Interventions to Support Bereaved Students -- Lysa Toye and Andrea Warnick -- 16. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Support Bereaved Students -- Tyler L. Renshaw, Sarah J. Bolognino, Anthony J. Roberson, Shelley R. Upton and Kelsie N. Hammons

Renowned author and educator Alan Wolfelt redefines the role of the grief counselor in this guide for caregivers to grieving children. Providing a viable alternative to the limitations of the medical establishment’s model for companioning the bereaved, Wolfelt encourages counselors and other caregivers to aspire to a more compassionate philosophy in which the child is the expert of his or her grief—not the counselor or caregiver. The approach outlined in the book argues against treating grief as an illness to be diagnosed and treated but rather for acknowledging it as an event that forever changes a child's worldview. By promoting careful listening and observation, this guide shows caregivers, family members, teachers, and others how to support grieving children and help them grow into healthy adults.