The Peter’s Place Institute for Grief Education and Awareness

The Peter’s Place Institute for Grief Education and Awareness provides educational opportunities for both professionals and community members, through which they are able to enhance their understanding of grief and loss.

Professional Development Series

Throughout the year, Peter’s Place offers continuing education opportunities for professionals. Regardless of specialty, most therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals deal consistently with issues of loss in their work with clients. Despite this, many graduate and training programs do not adequately prepare clinicians to address these themes and dominant culture does not encourage open communication about death and dying. This series was created to provide educational and discussion opportunities on issues related to illness, death, dying and bereavement for helping professionals.

Presentations for Professionals & Community Groups

Peter’s Place provides presentations and trainings on many topics upon request. Programs may be tailored to the needs of your organization. Our staff will travel to your location, we can host a training at our facility, or distance learning opportunities are available.

Sample topics include:

• An Introduction to Peter’s Place Services
• An Introduction to Grief – The experience of grief as well as tasks of bereavement for children and adults
• Grieving Children – What are their needs and experiences at different ages?
• Grieving Teens – How is the course of their grief and mourning unique?
• When Someone at Your School Dies – Supporting your community through the loss
• Supporting Grieving Children, Teens, or Adults – What to say and do, and what not to say and do
• The Impact of Death on the Family – How do changes in roles and responsibilities impact kids at home and at school?
• Introduction to Grief and Culture – How do messages and beliefs in popular culture impact the experience of grief and loss?
• Grief and Special Occasions – Holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and milestones all present special challenges for bereaved children and families

The Peter’s Place Institute for Grief Education and Awareness had its early beginnings as the Joseph McBride Professional Development Series. Our educational and awareness efforts have over the years grown and developed, thanks to the hard work of our many volunteers and experts in the field, and because of the generosity of our corporate, foundation and individual supporters.