Granting Permission: Toward Embracing Grief in Our Clients, Our Systems, Our Colleagues, and Ourselves

Completion of this Graduate School of Social Service class will result in the receipt of two (2) continuing education hours.

In modern Western society, grief is not granted permission to exist, to be felt, without barriers. Grief of all types, including grief through death as well as grief engendered by serious illness, ambiguous losses, and other life challenges and transitions, is unavoidable within the human experience and is often excruciating. However, it is rarely sufficiently recognized or supported. By considering and evaluating grief experiences through the lens of their access to permission, clinicians can collectively imagine and promote inclusivity in grief. Permission will be presented as both a conceptual framework and a clinical tool. We will explore its micro- and macro-level applications across practice settings and populations, and its utility for both professional and layperson engagement. Building from this foundation, together we will imagine and set intentions toward building healthcare systems and social institutions that embrace healthier and more supportive narratives about grief.