Grief affects people in unique and complex ways. Whether you work in counselling, healthcare, community services, education, or pastoral care, this course provides crucial skills and foundation knowledge to support individuals and families through all stages of loss.
The Certificate of Grief Counselling is a professional development course that provides a comprehensive overview of grief, loss, and bereavement. It explores theories such as the five-stage model, attachment theory, and the dual process model.
In this grief counselling course, you will learn about grief across the lifespan, addressing childhood, adolescent, and adult experiences, family dynamics, and cultural, spiritual, and societal influences. You will learn to recognise normal and complicated grief, apply assessment tools, and develop practical counselling skills such as active listening, empathy, and ethical practice.
You will explore interventions for trauma, sudden loss, and prolonged grief disorder, gaining confidence to support diverse client needs. You will also learn about practical support tools, including art therapy, narrative approaches, legacy projects, group facilitation, and long-term coping strategies.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident in providing compassionate, culturally sensitive grief counselling in various settings.
Course Structure
Certificate of Grief Counselling
Unit 1 – Foundations of Grief and Loss
- Foundations of grief and loss
- Grief, bereavement, and loss
- Types of loss
- Grief theories, models and frameworks
- Freud’s Psychoanalytic perspective
- Kübler-Ross Five Stages Model
- Attachment Theory
- The Four Phases of Grief
- Worden’s Four Tasks
- The Dual Process Model
- Meaning-Making approaches
- Understanding normal grief
- Understanding complicated grief
Unit 2 – Developmental perspectives
- Developmental perspectives
- Grief across the lifespan
- Understanding childhood grief
- Interventions for children
- Understanding adolescent grief
- Interventions for adolescents
- Understanding grief in adulthood
- Understanding grief in older adulthood
- Family dynamics and sibling grief
Unit 3 – Cultural, Spiritual, and Societal Contexts
- Cultural, spiritual, and societal contexts
- Beliefs about death and afterlife
- Mourning rituals and practices
- Cross-cultural communication styles
- Spiritual beliefs and existential questions
- Grief, stigma and identity
- Grief and cultural safety
Unit 4 – Identifying and Responding to Complicated Grief
- Identifying and responding to complicated grief
- Trauma, sudden death and multiple losses
- Prolonged Grief Disorder
- Screening tools and assessments
- Intervention strategies
Unit 5 – Communication and Counselling Skills
- Communication and counselling skills
- Active listening
- Developing empathy
- Rapport building
- Holding space vs fixing grief
- Working with children and adolescents
- Group facilitation, peer support and family sessions
- Ethical boundaries and self care
Unit 6 – Practical Support and Rituals
- Practical support and rituals
- Ceremonies, memorials, and life celebrations
- Art therapy techniques
- Narrative theory and storytelling
- Legacy projects
- Daily coping strategies
- Community resources
Unit 7 – Preparing for Anticipatory Grief
- Preparing for anticipatory grief
- Facing anticipatory grief
- Preparing families
- Children and anticipatory grief
- Hospices and palliative care
Unit 8 – Long-Term Coping Strategies
- Long-term coping strategies
- The impact of chronic grief
- Support groups
- Referring clients
- Counsellor wellbeing
Study Hours
Estimated duration 40 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Approval and Recognition
Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.
Testimonials
The assignments were straight forward and on point. The course structure cover the subject of grief and loss in depth.
F. Matthews, Ardross Perth, WA | Certificate of Grief Counselling
It was great to be able to do self-paced learning and I found the course work easy to guide my way through.
Kelly | Springfield Lakes, QLD | Certificate of Grief Counselling
I found it easy to work in with my schedule. Will be applying for more courses in the future.
Tracy | Gin Gin, QLD | Certificate of Grief Counselling
Resources and assessments were not overwhelming. They are easy to understand. I received regular support and check-in emails, which I appreciate.
Charlotte | Croydon, VIC | Certificate of Grief Counselling
Easy to understand worksheets and good communication and support from teachers/trainers.
Sandra | Bendigo, VIC | Certificate of Grief Counselling
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Counsellors
- Social Work
- Team Leaders
- Managers
- Human Resources
- Nursing
- Aged care
- Funeral services
- Loss and Grief Counsellors
- Counsellors
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