Healing Young Hearts: Facilitating Support Groups for Grieving Children

The loss of important people in a child’s life can occur through various events, such as death, divorce, incarceration, deportation and family cut-off. The impact of that loss and how the child processes and grows through it depends on factors such as developmental age, degree and nature of attachment to the lost person, and the presence of familial and social support. Joining with other children in a grief group can help, through catharsis, validation, psycho-education and mutual support. In this workshop, we will learn the dual processing model of grieving, family dynamics that may emerge after a loss, differences in grief and needs due to developmental age and how to create and structure group sessions, series and activities. Engagement of parents or guardians is also explored.

Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to describe the dual-process model of grief as applied to children.
• Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify developmental stages and their impact on how children grieve.
• Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to name three key family dynamics that may impact children’s grieving.

Additional Details

• Instructors: Sara J. Corse, PhD, Priscilla Singleton, MSW, LMFT, LCSW, & Hannah Reiss, MFT
• Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
• Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM EST
• Location: Online
• Continuing Education Credits: 3 (APA*)
• Target Audience: This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and MFT’s.
• Learning Levels: Beginner
• Registration Link: https://council-for-relationships.ce-go.com/2025-cafs-grief-groups

*CFR is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CFR maintains responsibility for this program and its content.