The grieving process is unique to the individual experiencing it. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a pet, a job, or any other event, this course will help you support those who have suffered a loss to cope with their grief.
The Introduction to Loss and Grief Counselling is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to provide support for individuals who are experiencing loss, grief and bereavement.
In this online grief-counselling course, you will learn how to identify the symptoms of grief and depression and learn how to provide counselling with cultural and spiritual sensitivity. You will learn a range of counselling skills including empathic listening, non-verbal communication and how to support those suffering from grief and loss.
On completion of this online grief-counselling course, you will feel empowered to provide support counselling to those experiencing loss, grief and bereavement.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
- Structured counselling approach
- Analyse existing client information
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Transparent management of personal information
- Health and safety legislation
- Initial counselling session
- Engaging with clients
- Building rapport
- Active listening
- Effective questioning
- Communication techniques
- Paralanguage
- A structured approach to counselling
- A person-centred approach
- Establishing the helping relationship
- Provide information for clients
- Client rights and responsibilities
- The counselling process
- Professional boundaries
- Client expectations
- The Charter of Human Rights
- Clarifying expectations raised in promotional material
- Client anxieties
- Code of ethical conduct
- Client concerns
- Signs of anxiety
- Expectations and commitment
- Client issues
- Escalation
- Referrals to other agencies
- Eligibility criteria
- Example of referral process form
- Collaborative processes and strategies
- Confidentiality and privacy legislation
- Conflicting interests
- Relationship options and approaches with clients
- Counselling priorities and plans
- Counselling contracts
- Informed consent
- Example of a counselling plan
- Records management
Unit 2 - Provide loss and grief support
- Signs of loss and grief
- Primary, secondary and cumulative losses
- Features and symptoms of grief
- Distinguishing grief and depression
- Grieving styles
- Loss of spouse or partner
- Loss of a child
- Parental grief
- Loss of a parent / sibling
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Signs and reactions to trauma
- Stages of grief
- Complex grief
- Social and cultural differences
- Ethnic and spiritual differences
- Communication
- Active listening
- Health and safety risks
- Suicide risk assessment
- Recognising the warning signs
- Complications of grief
- Engaging empathically
- Respecting cultural differences
- Listening skills
- Facilitate coping mechanisms
- Prolonged grief disorder
- Stress Vulnerability Model
- Support services and resources
- Supporting child grief and bereavement
- Healthy ways to face loss
- Disaster grief
- Treatment strategies
- Client feedback
- Criteria for referral
- Self-care for professionals
- Debriefing
- Review client outcomes
- Problem-solving
- Negotiation
- Plan changes
Unit 3 - Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
- Following the client’s story
- Encouraging client to tell their story
- Closed questions
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Equal opportunity
- Anti-discrimination legislation
- Mandatory reporting legislation
- Duty of care
- Client presenting and underlying issues
- Engaging with clients
- Situations requiring immediate action
- Suicide threats
- Conflicting interests
- Identify and prioritise concerns
- Reframing technique
- Recognising issues needing a referral
- Referral eligibility
- Referral types and processes
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Client ambivalence
- Strategies for overcoming uncertainty
- Code of ethical conduct
- Supporting clients to experience and process difficulties
- The stages of recovery
- Implementing interventions
- Supporting clients to identify and use strengths
- Active listening
- Exploring clients feelings (reflecting, clarifying and reviewing)
- Dealing with underlying issues
- Monitor the counselling process
- Disruptions to the counselling process
- Planning for change
- Action phase
- Addressing dilemmas
- Enabling clients to identify when counselling is ending
- Emotionally dependant clients
- Personal boundaries
- Professional boundaries
- Developing client plans
- Autonomy and compliance
- Unresolved issues
- Documenting and reporting
- Records management
Study Hours
Estimated duration 45 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.
Testimonials
I just loved the course. Well set out and very easy to understand. Plenty of information very professional
M. Lynn, Chatswood, NSW | Certificate of Loss and Grief Counselling
The information was easy to access and informative
B. Hardman, Wodonga, VIC | Certificate of Loss and Grief Counselling
I enjoyed my time studying, all books were thoroughly informative and appreciated the fact there was no time limit
C. Hemming, Broadford, VIC | Certificate of Loss and Grief Counselling
I had no trouble following the process. Once I submitted my assignments the tutors were quick in marking and responding. Thank you
Maxine | Wellend, SA | Certificate of Loss and Grief Counselling
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during 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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