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Forward2025 Bereavement Conference: When a Counselor Grieves: Balancing Boundaries and Self-disclosure
Presentation Summary
As thanatology professionals, we learn early on the importance of self-awareness when it comes to our own losses. This knowledge makes us empathetic, compassionate, and more attuned, prepared to be present with our clients and bear witness to their pain and suffering. What happens when we suffer our own losses and must continue our work with clients? We are taught that self-disclosure must be intentional and serve clients, if we engage in self-disclosure at all. How does it affect the therapeutic relationship? Does our responsibility to create and maintain connection enable our vulnerability or inhibit it? What are the ramifications of self-disclosure? Ethical considerations, client responses, and the possibility of therapist transformation and growth as a result of bereavement will be considered.
Target Audience
This educational activity is designed for professionals and lay persons involved in the care of the dying and bereaved, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, chaplains/clergy, hospice workers, allied health professionals, funeral directors, and volunteers.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the attendee should be able to:
- Differentiate between boundary violations and boundary crossings
- Identify the ways in which loss affects the therapeutic relationship
- Recognize the ethical ramifications of self-disclosure
Friday, September 26, 2025 | ||
8:45 - 9:05 AM | Registration and Continental Breakfast | Musical entertainment/Kenneth Sewell, PhD |
9:05 - 9:15AM | Welcome and Introductory Remarks | Louis Gamino, PhD, ABPP, FT Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor Scott & White Health Radha Kambhampati Psychiatry Department Chair, Baylor Scott & White Health |
9:15 - 10:45 AM | Soul Survivors: Tending to the Aftermath of Homicide for Black Communities | Professor, University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Endowed Chair in Social Work in the Global Community Founder & Director of the Centre for Research & Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims (The CRIB) |
10:45 - 11:00 AM | Break | |
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | The Journey of Suicide Grief |
Rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu El, Cleveland, Ohio (35 years) Fellow in Thanatology (FT) by the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) |
12:30 - 1:15 PM | Lunch (Special Presentation) | Kenneth W. Sewell, PhD Vice President for Research, Oklahoma State University |
1:15 - 2:45 PM | When a Counselor Grieves: Balancing Boundaries and Self-disclosure | Adjunct Instructor: Department of Applied Psychology NYU & Grief Therapist and Thanatologist in Private Practice |
2:45 - 3:00 PM | Break | |
3:00 - 4:30 PM | Using the Empty Chair Technique with Bereaved Parents: A Case Study | Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor Scott & White Health Program Director: Baylor Scott & White Biennial BSWH Conferences Director: Division of Psychology, Baylor Scott & White Health Past President (2018-2019), Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) |
To view the conference grievance procedure - Click Here
R. Abby Spilka, MA, LMHC, FT
Adjunct Instructor: Department of Applied Psychology
NYU & Grief Therapist and Thanatologist in Private Practice
References:
Horwell, A. (2019). The transformation process of the bereaved therapist. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 29(2), 151-163. DOI: 10.1037/int0000157
Luo, X., Aafjes-van Doorn, K., Békés, V., Prout, T., & Hoffman, L. (2023). Therapist self-disclosure in teletherapy early in the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with real relationship and traumatic
distress. Clinical Psychology Psychotherapy, 2023;1–11.
Swinden, C. (2023). Working after loss: How bereavement counsellors experience returning to therapeutic work after the death of their parent. Illness, Crisis, & Loss. 31(2). 364-384.
Worden, J. W. (2018).Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (5th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. DOI: 10.1891/9780826134752
L. Garski and J. Mustin. (2023). The grieving therapist: Caring for yourself and your clients when it feels like the end of the world. Penguin Books.
The A. Webb Roberts Center of Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Physicians - The A. Webb Roberts Center of Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Social Work - This program has been screened and determined to be related to the practice of social work to the best of our ability. The Behavioral Health Executive Council will make the final determination as to whether the activity claimed by the licensee is directly related to the practice of social work.
Psychologists - The A. Webb Roberts Center of Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The A. Webb Roberts Center of Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health maintains responsibility for this program its content. This program provides up to 6 CE credits. Credit is based on a session by session basis.
Licensed Professional Counselors - This program has been screened and determined to be related to the practice of LPC to the best of our ability. The Council shall make the determination as to whether the activity claimed by the licensee is directly related to the practice of licensed professional counselors. This program provides up to 6 CE credits.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists - This program has been screened and determined to be related to the practice of LMFT to the best of our ability. The Council shall make the determination as to whether the activity claimed by the licensee is directly related to the practice of marriage and family therapy. This program provides up to 6 CE credits.
Chaplains - Association of Professional Chaplains states the credit recognized by approved provides, eg. Continuing Medical Education, can be counted for continuing education credit for chaplains. This will provide 6 Category 1 credits.
Available Credit
- 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
- 1.50 Ethics
- 1.50 American Psychological AssociationThe A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- 1.50 Attendance
REGISTRATION FEE: $200
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Refunds (less $50 administrative fee) will be provided to registrants who cancel their registration two weeks prior to the course if cancellation by registrant becomes necessary. Refunds will be processed in the same form of payment as registration was received.
Right to Cancel or Postpone
Baylor Scott & White Health (BSWH) reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event that BSWH must cancel or postpone this course, the registration fee will be fully refunded. BSWH is not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses to participants, including fees assessed by airline, travel or lodging agencies.
Special needs:
Please notify CME Department in writing of any special needs/accommodations during registration or at least two weeks prior to conference date by emailing: [email protected]