Support for children and families who are grieving

February 2024

Registration is now open for the 2024 International Summer Institute

Join Dougy Center’s knowledgeable staff for an opportunity to learn the basics about The Dougy Center Model, a world-renowned peer grief support model for children, teens, and their families. The 2024 International Summer Institute is set for July 22 - 26 in Portland, Oregon.


Learn with colleagues from across the United States and beyond who plan to implement The Dougy Center Model in their community.


Find out more, register, or apply for one of four International Summer Institute scholarships here.

Grief education is an important component of Dougy Center's mission, reaching more than 10,000 people each year from the United States and around the world. Our education and training opportunities are available to anyone supporting children and families who are grieving. Find more here.

Join us for these upcoming webinars

It's Complicated: Death, Grief, and Estranged Relationships

March 7, 2024

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., PST

presented by Jana DeCristofaro, L.C.S.W.

When someone dies, it is not uncommon for people to assume that our relationship with the person (or people) was a positive one. Navigating grief after the death of someone in our lives can be inherently complex, because relationships are complex. Just like grief, there can be complicating factors that make a loss even more challenging – especially mental health issues, abuse, substance use, unresolved conflict, or estrangement were involved. Join us in this webinar where we will discuss the challenges people face when grieving the death of someone with whom they had a complex and complicated relationship.

Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education

April 4, 2024

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., PST

presented by Monique B. Mitchell, PhD, FT

Being grief-informed sets the foundation for understanding and responding to the needs of people who are grieving the death of someone in their lives. Misassumptions lead to misunderstanding and mistreatment. Tune in for more information on this important topic, including the ten core principles of grief-informed practice.

Inclusivity, Intersectionality, and Grief

May 2, 2024

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., PST

presented by Cristina Chipriano, L.C.S.W.

Grief is contextual — it is influenced and impacted by personal and social factors. Identity is multifaceted and this intersectionality can create complex encounters or paradoxical experiences for people when they are grieving. Join us in this webinar where we will explore inclusive practices to support people who are grieving and the multifaceted layers that can impact grief.


Thank you to the New York Life Foundation for their continued support on topics surrounding equity, inclusion, and Dougy Center's commitment to children who are grieving.

Learn more about these webinars and register
Webinars are $65 per person with discounted pricing when you register for three at the same time. Registration closes at 10 a.m. Pacific the day prior to the webinar.

Attention students!

Are you a student interested in becoming grief-informed? We offer a 20% discount for students who register for our online grief education course, Supporting Children, Teens, and Young Adults Who are Grieving, and a $15 discount on our grief education webinars. For more information, contact us at [email protected] and include “Student Discount” in the subject line.

Training highlights

We love to hear from you!


"By far the best and most helpful thing I've ever heard around my grief experience and the holidays. I wish I had been attending this webinar every year since my dad died. I've been having big therapeutic tears during your whole presentation. Took lots and lots of notes. I will never forget this presentation. I feel so seen in my specific experience with the holidays, particularly losing a loved one right before Christmas."

 

 – Dougy Center Grief Education Webinar Participant for Navigating Grief During the Holidays (Dec 2023)


If you have any comments or feedback on a Dougy Center training, please send them to [email protected]

National Presentations

  • Navigating Grief During the Holiday, a Dougy Center grief education webinar, was presented by Jana DeCristofaro, LCSW on December 7, 2023.


  • Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education, a Dougy Center grief education webinar, was presented by Dr. Monique Mitchell on January 18, 2024.


  • Flawed Foundations, Deconstructing Three Contemporary Grief Constructs, a Dougy Center grief education webinar, was presented by Donna Schuurman, EdD, FT on February 8, 2024.


  • Dr. Donna Schuurman presented a virtual training for Shomer Collective on January 23, 2023, on Supporting Children & Teens Who are Grieving.


  • Dougy Center’s annual Virtual Professional Seminar was held from January 29-February 2, 2024 for individuals interested in learning the fundamentals of grief education across the lifespan. 

New 2024 Grief Out Loud episodes


The Realities of Black Grief – Donelia McIntosh M.Div., M.A.


Becoming Grief-Informed - Dr. Donna Schuurman, EdD, FT, & Dr. Monique Mitchell, PhD, FT


"Can They Even Understand?" - Preschoolers & Grief


The Dangers of Pathologizing Grief - Dr. Donna Schuurman, EdD, FT

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