Bereavement Counseling Certification
The role of a bereavement counselor is to compassionately interact with individuals during the grieving process. As a specialist in the field, the counselor’s primary job is to help ease the pain of the dying and the families who experience the loss of a loved one. Working with children, adolescents and adults both one-on-one and in group settings, bereavement specialists are often employed in hospitals, funeral homes and various non-profit agencies.
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Pre-Certification
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The path to becoming certified in this profession begins with obtaining a degree, preferably in a related field. Nurses and other health care professionals, along with pastors, social workers and professional counselors are typical prerequisite careers required to enroll in the 100-hour course in grief counseling. Offered by The American Academy of Grief Counseling, (AAGC) four on-line segments are designed to help the student gain an in-depth understanding of this profession. Coursework covers a comprehensive study of death and dying, the grieving process, counseling methods and how to relate to grieving children.
Certification
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Upon submitting an application validating the completion of approved coursework in grief counseling, a professional will be granted the accreditation of Certified Grief Counselor. The designation is valid for a period of three years by the AAGC. At the end of the three year period, it is necessary for a counselor to re-certify. Requirements include an additional 50 hours of continued grief counseling education during the three years of certification. Working as an active counselor for a minimum of 500 hours during the same three years is also a requirement. Re-certification must be completed every three years.
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Advanced Certification
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Another option is to re-certify as a fellow. This is an advanced status which requires additional study, a thesis or presentation of an approved project. Completing a thesis means submitting a formal paper to the AAGC Advisory Board. The paper must adhere to guidelines and be comparable to a graduate level thesis. The educational requirement for fellowship is an additional 250 hours of education over a five-year period. The third option, a project proposal, must follow board guidelines and gain subject approval prior to presentation.
Private Practice
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Many grief counselors have private practices. They deliver group and one-on-one therapeutic sessions in their offices or at community centers. Partnering with other counselors to set up business as a non-profit is one option. Non-profits offer some free services and often accept insurance for partial or full payment of sessions.
Considerations
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Individuals interested in joining this profession should possess a sincere desire to support and help others. Bereavement counselors must be able to relate to both young and old. They should be trustworthy, patient and extremely compassionate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that growth in the counseling field should exceed average. Based on a generic counselor job description, the rate of growth is forecast to be 18 percent.
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