We grieve naturally and we adapt naturally after we experience a difficult loss. However, this process is neither simple nor predictable and people struggle to know what to expect. Grief is a complex, multifaceted process that has no rules. Bereaved people often ask themselves whether they are “doing it right.” They may be wondering whether their grief is going the way it should. They may want to know what to expect and when it will be over. Grief doesn’t occur in stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. However, there are milestones you can encourage and derailers you can watch out for in clients.

In this presentation, Dr. Katherine Shear, will introduce two acronyms, HEALING and DERAILERS, that you can use to help guide bereaved clients. She will discuss the unique challenges to bereavement posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk factors that can make DERAILERS more difficult to resolve or set aside and HEALING milestones more difficult to achieve, which can lead to prolonged grief disorder (PGD).

1. Use HEALING milestones and DERAILERS to inform grief psychoeducation with a client
2. Explain what the risk factors are during the COVID-19 pandemic for developing PGD
3. Describe ways you can use HEALING milestones & DERAILERS to promote adaptation to loss