Children's Grief Awareness Day, November 17th, is quickly approaching. With one child out of every 20 experiencing the death of a parent before they graduate from high school (a number that doesn't take into account those grieving the death of a sibling, a grandparent or other relative, or friend), it's wonderful to see more communities recognizing the day by organizing local events. The purpose of this day is to help us all become more aware of the needs of grieving children and of the benefits they obtain through the support of others. For more information, including ways to get involvedandtip sheets,please visit theCGAD website. And remember to wear blue on Thursday November 17th!
In the few months since my last newsletter my talented cousin Paula Brill and I have been working hard to launchmy new website. Our intent was to create a website that would serve not only as a way to find me but as a resource itself to families, volunteers, and professionals who are supporting someone of any age who is grieving. Please check it out and don't hesitate to share your feedback.
"Instead of denying our own sadness to our kids, we should teach them how to cope" (By Dr. Smita Malhotra)
This excellent Washington Post article addresses a number of the tips I've included in past newsletters such as the importance of avoiding the "fix-it trap" and the benefits of modeling emotions when supporting grieving kids. The article isn't specific to grief, as such approaches play a significant role in the emotional health of any child/youth regardless of whether or not they are experiencing grief. Malhotra emphasizes "...we need to understand that our children are wired for coping with suffering in addition to happiness." I couldn't agree more. To read the full article please visit here.
Free On-Line Guidance on
Supporting Grieving Children & Youth
KidsGrieve2 Q&A
Canadian Virtual Hospice'sKidsGrieve2 Q&A connects families, professionals, and volunteers with well-informed advice on supporting children and youth who are either grieving a death or anticipating a death in their lives.
I'll be hosting the next KidsGrieve2 Q&A tomorrow, Tuesday November 1, 2016, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST. If you have a question about supporting a grieving child or youth, or if you'd like to learn from the questions of others, please join us.
To register simply email us at KidsGrieve2@virtualhospice.ca and the webinar link will be sent to you. A computer with speakers and an internet connection are all that you need in order to participate in this free event.
If you know of anyone who you think will benefit from participating please share this information with them. This on-line Q&A is held the first Tuesday of every month.
Andrea's Public Educational Events
Webinars
Tuesday November 22, 2016, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST, Free, Preparing Children for Funerals and Memorials. With Andrea Warnick & Michelle Methven (Funeral Director and Bereaved Parent). For more information and to register please click here. Workshops
"Reclaiming Death: An Introduction to Thanatology". Friday March 31, 2016, 9:00am - 4:00pm, University of Toronto. - Save the date! Registration opens soon.
Certificate Program in Children's Grief and Bereavement (Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Toronto) - Extended
It's not too late to register for this year's Certificate Program in Children's Grief and Bereavement! Modules can be taken individually as stand alone workshops, and for those wanting to obtain the certificate missed modules can be made up at a later date. All 5 modules are required for the certificate.
For more information (including fees) or to register please visit here.
Module 3: Tuesday November 15, 2016, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Supporting Grieving Children and Families Using Mindfulness and Compassion (with Andrew Blake and Andrea Warnick)
Module 4: Tuesday January 17, 2017, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: When Grief Gets More Complicated (with Andrea Warnick, Liana Lowenstein and Colleen Mousseau)
Module 5: Tuesday February 7, 2017, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Dancing in the Darkness: Creative Approaches to Working with Grieving Children and Youth (with Andrea Warnick and Lysa Toye)
Certificate Program in Children's Grief and Bereavement (Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Toronto) - Condensed
Registration is now open for the week-long certificate program being held in May 2017. For more information (including fees) or to register please visit here.
Module 1:Supporting Children and Youth Facing the Dying of Someone Close to Them (Andrea Warnick - Monday, May 8, 2017)
Module 2:When Death Darkens the Door: Supporting Bereaved Children and Youth (Andrea Warnick & Andrea Kwan - Tuesday, May 9, 2017)
Module 3:Supporting Grieving Children and Families Using Mindfulness and Compassion (Andrea Warnick & Andrew Blake - Wednesday, May 10, 2017)
Module 4:When Grief Gets More Complicated (Andrea Warnick, Colleen Mousseau and Liana Lowenstein - Thursday, May 11, 2017)
Module 5:Dancing in the Darkness: Creative Approaches to Working with Grieving Children and Youth (Andrea Warnick and Lysa Toye - Friday, May 12, 2017)
Counselling Services
My counselling office is located in Toronto on Danforth Ave. just a two minute walk from Chester subway station (see on map).
My practice day for in-person sessions is Wednesday.
I also offer counselling sessions for adults by phone or Skype worldwide.
I have a formal supervision agreement with a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Norma D'Agostino. As a result, my counselling services are covered by most private insurance benefit plans.
I offer clinical consultation to counsellors/therapists and other professionals and volunteers in the area of grief and bereavement.
For additional information about my counselling services please visit my website.
Facebook Page
For more frequent updates on events and grief-related resources visit my "Andrea Warnick Consulting" Facebook page. To receive these updates in your news feed please visit and "like" the page.
