About this course

Learning Objectives

• Identify factors that affect grieving individuals and families
• Explore the role of the family system for grief and grieving
• Demonstrate and apply activities to promote family communication and understanding of grief

Learning Levels

• Intermediate

Target Audience

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Madi Day, LMSW

  Director of Community Services, The Grief Center

  Madi is a Licensed Master Social Worker under Clinical Supervision. A graduate of OU-Tulsa’s Master of Social Work program, Madi currently serves as the Director of Community Services at The Grief Center. She holds a graduate certificate in Social Work with American Indians and is trained in providing Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents. Madi is dedicated to supporting children and families through their grief journey. As a grief counselor, Madi provides compassionate counseling for individuals and families; facilitates therapy groups for adults and families; and engages the community through The Grief Center’s outreach services.

References

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• Balle, S.R., Nothelfer, C., Mergl, R., Quaatz, S.M., Hoffmann, S., Hoffmann, H., Allgaier, A., Eichhorn, K. (2024). Depression after pregnancy loss: the role of the presence of living children, the type of loss, multiple losses, the relationship quality, and coping strategies. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2386827
• Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss volume one. Basic Books.
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• Cipriano, D.J., Barry, C., & Cipriano, S. (2023). Parental Engagement in Grief Programming Is Related to Children’s Outcomes. OMEGA—Journal of Death and Dying, 86(4) 1329–1348. DOI: 10.1177/00302228211008738
• Donovan, L. A., Wakefield, C. E., Russell, V., & Cohn, R. J. (2015). Hospital-based bereavement services following the death of a child: A mixed study review. Palliative Medicine, 29(3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1177/026921631455685
• Henning, E., Germann, J., Holder, N., Nakonezny, P., Loftin, S., Redondo-Doan, B., Jones, L., Petty, L., Pratt, C., Garza-Saenz, M., Isaccs, T., Liu, K. & Winick, N. (2021). The Impact of Family Bereavement Interventions: Qualitative Feedback Identifies Needs. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 9(3), 283–295. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpp0000416
• Hoppe, R., Alvis, L., Oosterhoff, B., & Kaplow, J. (30 Jan 2024). Caregiver behaviors associated with positive youth development among bereaved children. Death Studies, DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2309475
• Judi’s House / JAG, (2024). Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model: National Report 2024.
• Judi’s House / JAG, (2024). Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model: Oklahoma Report 2024
• Kirwin, K.M. & Hamrin, V. (2005) Decreasing the risk of complicated bereavement and future psychiatric disorders in children. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing
• Lowenstein, L. (2024). Creative Interventions for Bereaved Children (2nd ed.). Champion Press.
• McCoyd, J. L. M., Koller, J. M., & Walter, C. A. (2021). Grief and loss across the lifespan: A biopsychosocial perspective (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826149640
• Schaefer, Charles (2011). Foundations of Play Therapy. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons
• Schonfeld, D. J., & Quackenbush, M. (2010). The grieving student: A teacher's guide. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Pub.
• Thomson, A., Larkin., & Smith, J. (2011). U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2009). Marital Events of Americans: 2009. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2011/acs/acs-13.html
• Webb, N. B. (2010). Helping bereaved children. New York: Guilford.
• Worden, J. W. (1996). Children and grief: When a parent dies. New York: Guilford Press.
• Yaffe, Y., & Levkovich, I. (2025). Prolonged grief disorder in bereaved parents: Exploring impacts and treatment pathways. World journal of psychiatry, 15(5), 104711. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v15.i5.104711