2025 Conference Archive

Counseling Techniques for Children and Adolescents Dealing with Grief and Bereavement

Format

Individual Presentation

Format

Poster Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Lander University

First Presenter’s Email Address

ascott@lander.edu

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Michelle Grant Scott is the Human Services Program Director at Lander University. Michelle has also taught in Master of Social Work and counseling programs in several universities. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker- Clinical Practitioner who has both taught and practiced in the mental health and social work field for over 20 years. Michelle also serves as a clinical supervisor, mentoring mental health therapists seeking state licensure in South Carolina.

Second Presenter's Institution

Clemson University

Second Presenter’s Email Address

dscott2@clemson.edu

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

David A. Scott, PhD, LPC, is currently a quantitative researcher, licensed professional counselor, and associate professor at Clemson University. Dr. Scott has worked in a variety of settings over the past 20 years which include an inpatient hospital, outpatient counseling center and in private practice with his wife. Before entering academia, he was one of the directors for a large non-profit agency that provided a continuum of care services for at-risk youth and their families.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Harborside Ballroom

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

Our proposal is relevant in the strands of Health and Heart. Our proposal will provide participants with the information and tools needed to work with grieving children and adolescents. This proposal will also encourage participants to be aware of supportive techniques that can be used to promote validation and acceptance for children and adolescents who are experiencing grief or a loss in their life.

Brief Program Description

Children and adolescents experience grief and bereavement differently than adults. Understanding the different dynamics is crucial for school and community counselors and other professionals working with this population. A review of grief and bereavement through childhood and adolescence will be discussed. Goals of grief counseling and general guidelines will be explored. Evidence-based counseling techniques for each developmental stage will be explored and discussed in this presentation.

Summary

Children and adolescents experience grief and bereavement differently than adults. The thought of children grieving is not one we like to imagine because of its bleak and unpleasant connotation. But the truth is that some children and adolescents do have the misfortune of mourning the loss of someone significant during their young lives. Adolescents are already going through one of the most difficult periods of change in their life and adding the component of grief just puts the icing on the cake. Adolescents are on the threshold of leaving their childhood behind and entering into adulthood. During this period of time, adolescents struggle with their emotions and identity, both of which become more confounded when they are coping with loss and grief.

Understanding the different dynamics is crucial for school and community counselors and other professionals working with this population. Mental health professionals will need to have knowledge of how grief is expressed in school age children and what they can do to help. In order to effectively help children make it through such a tumultuous time successfully, we need to understand how grief can be housed and displayed in children and adolescents, as their grief is very much different than our own. We also need to learn about what we can do to alleviate some of their troubles (symptoms) and fears.

A review of grief and bereavement through childhood and adolescence will be discussed. Goals of grief counseling and general guidelines will be explored. Evidence-based counseling techniques for each developmental stage will be explored and discussed in this presentation.

Evidence

This proposal is based on current and evidenced-based research and techniques used in working with grieving children and adolescents. Information was gathered from some of the top researchers and organizations dealing with grief and bereavement. Through this research it is evident that creative strategies such as visual arts, dance movement, yoga, and literary-based approaches are just some of the various activities used that may be effective when working with youth affected by grief.

Research on youth experiencing the loss of a parent or caregiver due to the pandemic confirms utilizing age-appropriate techniques while working with grieving children. Allowing space for children to ask questions, providing them with children’s books that address the subject of grief and bereavement, and preparing them for the unknown. Individuals working with the caregivers of grieving children can teach them how to recognize and understand behaviors related to grief (i.e. regression, withdrawal, anger, and sleeping problems). Evidence suggests helping children develop positive coping skills by encouraging them to honor and remember their parent or caregiver while practicing self-care. Evidence suggests grief counseling for grieving children to foster these skills.

Matthews, Finney, N., Owens, D., Gordon, F., & Morgan-Swaney, C. (2022). Creative Counseling Strategies for Adolescents Working Through Grief. The Family Journal, 30(3), 261–267.

Jones, C. (2022). Helping children grieve the loss of a caregiver due to COVID-19. Contemporary Pediatrics, 39(2), 22+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A696124922/AONE?u=clemsonu_main&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=513960fe

Learning Objective 1

A. Participants will be provided with information and research findings on how children and adolescents deal with grief and bereavement.

Learning Objective 2

B. Participants will learn about the most current and relevant counseling techniques that could be used when working with children and adolescents dealing with grief and bereavement.

Learning Objective 3

C. Participants will gain a better understanding of the impact of loss through each developmental stage during childhood and adolescence.

Keyword Descriptors

Children, Adolescents, Grief, Bereavement, Mental Health, Counseling, Loss

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-2-2025 4:45 PM

End Date

3-2-2025 6:00 PM

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Mar 2nd, 4:45 PM Mar 2nd, 6:00 PM

Counseling Techniques for Children and Adolescents Dealing with Grief and Bereavement

Harborside Ballroom

Children and adolescents experience grief and bereavement differently than adults. Understanding the different dynamics is crucial for school and community counselors and other professionals working with this population. A review of grief and bereavement through childhood and adolescence will be discussed. Goals of grief counseling and general guidelines will be explored. Evidence-based counseling techniques for each developmental stage will be explored and discussed in this presentation.