Grief and Loss

Equipping Counselors and Therapists for Best Care Practices in Responding to the Trauma of Shock, Displacement, and Bereavement (5.25 CE Hours)

Course Pricing is in United States Dollars (USD)

Taught by renowned attachment and trauma expert, Dr. Diane Poole Heller

*5.25 continuing education (CE) clock hours with lifetime access (Home-Study Format)

This continuing education program, taught by trauma expert Dr. Diane Poole Heller, offers an in-depth exploration into the multifaceted nature of experiences of bereavement, loss, and the trauma responses from tragic events. Learners will engage with critical themes ranging from the initial shock of grief to the long-term psychological impacts of tragic events (the Columbine Massacre being a major case example that is explored in this course).

In this course, Dr. Heller provides a robust framework for understanding the complex emotional landscapes encountered in therapy, including disenfranchised grief among marginalized communities and the unique challenges posed by anticipatory grief from long-term illnesses. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical strategies, this course aims to enhance the therapeutic skills necessary to support clients experiencing profound loss and trauma effectively.

Learning Objectives:
  1. Identify and Describe Initial Grief Shock Points: learners will learn to recognize and articulate the initial emotional and psychological shock points of grief and loss
  2. Analyze the Effects of high-profile tragedies on individual and collective trauma responses.
  3. Recognize and Support disenfranchised grievers who are may be denied systemic access to the grieving process, much as stepchildren, gender and sexual minorities, and/or estranged family members.
  4. Assess and Address the Psychological Impacts of Divorce and Long-term Illness in the experience of grief and loss.
  5. Facilitate Meaning-making and Legacy-building in Grief Work by exploring approaches to help clients find meaning in their loss and ways to honor the legacy of the deceased, addressing taboo topics around death, and promoting healthy grieving practices.

And know you can buy this course without any risk. We have a full refund policy for anyone who decides they do not want to keep the course within 14-Days of purchase.

This training contains up to 5.25 clock hours of behavioral health continuing education* under the approval bodies listed below.


This course is occasionally on offer at a discounted price for a limited window. And if you are interested in being added to the waitlist to be notified for the next course sale, you can sign-up at the link here.

*Continuing Education Approvals

PsychMaven is responsible for all aspects for this program.

*PsychMaven has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP)- ACEP No.6624. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PsychMaven is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. PsychMaven is approved for both Live/Real Time and Home Study continuing education (CE) programs. This program is designed to meet the standards of NBCC content areas No.1 (Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship)


*Note for Florida licensed clinicians (LMHCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs). PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, pursuant to the rule 64B4-6.002(1)(e)1. However, this PsychMaven program is not registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.

*Note for Georgia licensed clinicians (LPCs, LMFTs, LCSWs).

  • For Georgia LPCs/LAPCs, PsychMaven's NBCC approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet criteria for core hours for continuing education under Georgia Rule 135-9-.01
  • For Georgia licensed social workers, PsychMaven's Texas Social Work Board approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet criteria for core hours for continuing education under Georgia Rule 135-9-.01.(5)(c).
  • For Georgia LMFTs/LAMFTs, PsychMaven's NBCC approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet criteria related hours for continuing education under Georgia Rule 135-9-.01

*Note for Ohio licensed counselors. PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors. However, this PsychMaven program is not registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.

For the latest on the Continuing Education (CE) Approvals of PsychMaven, as well as guidance on CE requirements for different disciplines, visit us at www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval

Your Instructor


Diane Poole Heller, PhD
Diane Poole Heller, PhD

Dr. Diane Poole Heller (PhD, LPC) is a licensed therapist, internationally recognized speaker, author, and expert in the field of attachment theory and trauma resolution. Her signature approach—DARe (Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience)—provides therapists and individuals with relevant skills and practical exercises that facilitate healing from attachment and trauma wounds.

Diane’s training programs, books, lectures and work as a therapist have helped a countless number of people in their healing journey towards experiencing greater intimacy, wholeness and more fulfilling relationships.

As Senior Faculty for SETI, Diane studied with Dr. Peter Levine and taught Somatic Experiencing® trauma work internationally for over 25 years.

She is also the author of three books: The Power of Attachment: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships, a practical guide to restoring and reconnecting with our innate secure attachment as adults; Crash Course, on accident trauma; and the audio book, Healing Your Attachment Wounds: How to Create Deep and Lasting Relationships. Her film, Surviving Columbine, aired on CNN and supported community healing after the Columbine High School shootings.


Course Curriculum


  Course Orientation
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  Managing Shock Points and Providing Comfort
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  Meeting Tragedy (Trauma Lessons & Columbine Massacre)
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  Trauma Re-enactment, Trauma Bonding, and Emotional Volatility
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  Banished Mourners
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  Divorce
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  Long-Term Illness
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  Ending the Course
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
This is a home-study course that can be done at your own pace. After you purchase the course, you will have lifetime access to complete the material when convenient in your schedule. Continuing education (CE) certificates will be issued on showing the date of completion, not the date when you began the course.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
At PsychMaven, we deeply desire for students to have a positive course experience. And as a part of this, we want students to feel good about their decision in purchasing a course with us, and for them to know that they can purchase without risk. If you enroll in the course, and then decide that it is not a good fit, just reach out within 14-days of your course purchase and we will gladly give you a full refund.
Does this course offer continuing education (CE) credit?
Yes! The course has up to 5.25 approved continuing education (CE) clock hours under multiple CE approval organizations (as listed in the course description) and can cover the approval needs of many mental health/professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, psychologists, and addiction professionals. However, all students are responsible for confirming if the CE approval of this course meets their CE needs. We can offer you further information about PsychMaven's CE approvals and resources, by visiting us at www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval
Are there extra fees for getting the continuing education (CE) hours with the course?
No. The available continuing education (CE) clock hours with the course are available without any extra cost.

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