Grief is a universal human experience, yet for some, the grieving process can become particularly intense and prolonged, causing persistent distress that significantly impacts daily life. Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), now a formal diagnosis in the DSM-5, has been a point of both acceptance and controversy among mental health professionals. With many clients struggling through loss, it’s crucial for mental health practitioners to understand PGD, how to recognize its signs, and the best ways to support clients who may be suffering. To deepen this understanding, our upcoming workshop, Prolonged Grief Disorder: Understanding, Assessing, and Treating PGD, provides a comprehensive look at the diagnosis, assessment, and effective interventions for PGD. Led by Litsa Williams, MA, LCSW-C, an expert in grief therapy, this course will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, offering 3.0 CE credit hours approved by both ASWB and NBCC.
What is Prolonged Grief Disorder?
PGD is characterized by intense grief that continues unabated for a prolonged period, affecting a person's ability to function in daily life. Distinct from "typical grief", PGD presents a clinical level of distress where feelings of loss and sadness do not seem to lessen over time. To meet the diagnostic criteria for PGD, symptoms must last for at least 12 months after the loss of a loved one and must include a persistent yearning or longing for the deceased, as well as emotional pain that does not ease over time. This diagnosis is especially important for clinicians who work with clients who have experienced sudden or traumatic losses, ambiguous loss (such as in cases of missing persons or estrangement), or who feel "stuck" in their grieving process.
Though it is newly recognized in the DSM-5, PGD has generated discussion due to concerns that it may pathologize a natural emotional response to loss. Some professionals worry that the diagnosis risks medicalizing grief, while others argue that the disorder’s criteria are clearly intended for cases of extreme, debilitating grief that far surpasses the emotional response most people experience. Our training will explore these controversies, helping professionals examine PGD's inclusion in the DSM and giving clinicians the knowledge needed to evaluate when grief might warrant this diagnosis.
Why Mental Health Professionals Should Learn About Prolonged Grief Disorder
With grief affecting people from all backgrounds and age groups, PGD offers a critical framework for clinicians who want to identify when clients are experiencing symptoms that significantly impact daily life. Understanding PGD enables professionals to better distinguish between grief responses that are considered normal vs prolonged grief responses, which is essential for guiding clients toward effective support strategies and appropriate referrals. Learning the nuances of PGD also helps practitioners remain sensitive to cultural factors and personal values that influence grief, ensuring a compassionate, individualized approach for each client. In the training, participants will gain clarity on these distinctions through a sociohistorical overview of grief in mental health, case studies, and theoretical grounding in the mechanisms behind prolonged grief.
For those who work in therapy, hospice, crisis intervention, or trauma-informed care, a deep understanding of PGD equips them to intervene skillfully. Given that PGD can lead to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and even physical health issues if left untreated, learning to recognize this disorder can be vital in helping clients. The training will cover practical clinical interventions, including building resilience through psychoeducation and creative coping strategies that Litsa Williams has developed throughout her 15 years of specialized practice.
What You’ll Learn in the Upcoming Training
This three-hour, in-depth training provides mental health professionals with the skills to confidently address and treat PGD in their practice. Attendees will delve into the historical and diagnostic framework of PGD, explore differential diagnoses to avoid mislabeling normal grief, and learn targeted interventions that can help clients process and eventually find peace with their loss. Additionally, this training will cover guidelines for making appropriate referrals, equipping therapists with the knowledge to recognize when a client’s needs may be best served by specialists in grief counseling or related fields.
The workshop, led by grief specialist Litsa Williams, is designed to give therapists the tools to support their clients’ unique grieving processes, even in complex cases of prolonged grief. With extensive experience and a background in both social work and philosophy, Litsa offers insights that blend academic rigor with practical, relatable approaches. Her work, as co-founder of What’s Your Grief, has supported millions of people navigating the depths of grief, making her an authority on both the emotional and clinical sides of grief support.
Why You Should Attend
Understanding PGD is essential for any mental health professional aiming to provide comprehensive support to clients who experience profound, persistent grief. By attending this workshop, you’ll gain not only knowledge but also practical methods for assessing and treating prolonged grief, along with the opportunity to engage with an expert who has dedicated her career to understanding and guiding people through complex grief. This training is especially relevant as we continue to recognize the profound impact of loss on mental health and the necessity for sensitive, well-informed intervention.
Whether you’re new to grief work or have extensive experience, this course will enhance your ability to address one of the most difficult experiences your clients may face. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your skills and make a meaningful difference in your clients’ lives—join us on December 13, 2024, for an impactful exploration of Prolonged Grief Disorder.