Grief In The Shadows: Understanding And Supporting Stigmatized Loss

Families grieving a stigmatized death often navigate layers of grief that extend beyond the loss itself. Join Maria Georgopoulos, LMHC, FT, in this training that explores the unique clinical needs of individuals and families bereaved by suicide, homicide, substance use disorder-related deaths, and other socially stigmatized circumstances of death, including deaths related to incarceration, homelessness, physician-assisted dying (MAID), and deaths involving criminalized or socially judged behaviors.

These losses are frequently accompanied by shame, blame, secrecy, guilt, self-blame, and social isolation, making the grief process especially complex. Families often struggle to make sense of what happened while navigating judgment from others—or anticipating it—which can profoundly shape their mourning. Participants will examine how stigma influences grief, identity, sense-making, help-seeking, and access to social support. We will also explore the challenges families face when talking about the death—not only with grieving children, but also with extended family, friends, schools, workplaces, and their broader communities. Even well-intentioned supporters may unintentionally respond in ways that deepen feelings of shame or isolation.

Throughout the training, participants will distinguish between stigmatized and disenfranchised grief, examine how culture, systemic inequities, and intersecting identities can amplify stigma, and explore the role of countertransference in clinical work with these families.

Compassionate, evidence-informed, and practical strategies will be offered to help clinicians support grieving individuals and families, facilitate developmentally appropriate conversations with children, foster resilience, and create spaces where grief can be witnessed without judgment.

4 CEs available to NYS LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LMSWs, LCATs, NYS Licensed Psychologists and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts provided by Hudson Valley Professional Development, LLC upon successful completion of training.

Objectives:

Upon completion of training, participants will be able to:

-identify how stigma surrounding socially stigmatized losses influences family communication, identity, sense-making, and the grief process.

-distinguish between stigmatized grief and disenfranchised grief and recognize how culture, privilege, and systemic inequities shape grief experiences.

-use compassionate, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed language when supporting individuals and families grieving stigmatized losses.

-assist families in using developmentally appropriate language when discussing stigmatized deaths with grieving children.

-recognize their own countertransference responses related to stigmatized loss and apply strategies to remain grounded, culturally responsive, and clinically effective.

___

In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to the day before the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at info@hudsonvalleyprofessionaldevelopment.com to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.