Understanding Traumatic Grief

Understanding Traumatic Grief

The sudden loss of a loved one to violent death by suicide, accident or homicide can be difficult to process, leaving feelings of shock, disbelief and traumatic grief that can be difficult to process. In this two-part series, we will explore the impact of traumatic loss, and ways to support people who are experiencing it heal.

In this two-part series presented by Ted Rynearson, MD, UW Emeritus Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Cindi Sinnema, and Robin Gaphni, we will explore the impact of traumatic loss, and ways to support those who are experiencing traumatic grief, including through peer support groups and Restorative Retelling.

Part 1: Understanding Traumatic Grief: The impact of sudden and traumatic loss presented by Dr. Rynearson and Cindi Sinnema - October 14 - 12:00pm - 1pm PST

In this talk, Dr Rynearson will share a video of an interview he conducted with someone who has experienced a traumatic loss that will highlight the mixture of trauma and grief distress and we will explore how early support is part of the healing process. We will explore the 3 V’s of Traumatic Loss (Violence, Violation and Volition), and how how the 3 P’s of Traumatic Loss (Pacification, Participation, and Perspective) and early support are part of the healing process.

Part 2: Community Grief Support Programs and Restorative Retelling presented by Dr. Rynearson, Cindi Sinnema and Robin Gaphni - November 19 - 12:00pm - 1pm PST

For those impacted by sudden, traumatic loss, the value of Restorative Re-telling in a community grief group setting can be helpful. We will highlight the importance of peer-led support in early and delayed adaptation, compare and contrast therapy and community support groups, and review data from community support groups.

After this two-part series, you’ll be able to:

· Define how traumatic distress and separation distress play a role in grief following a sudden loss

· Identify how violence, violation and volition impact grief

· Understand the role of pacification, participation and perspective in the healing process

· Understand the value of Restorative Retelling in healing from traumatic grief

· Understand the value of community support groups in healing from traumatic grief

· Identify necessary qualifications for a grief support leader

Speaker Bios:

Edward (Ted) Rynearson, MD, is a semi-retired clinical psychiatrist and researcher from Seattle, Washington, where he founded the section of psychiatry at the Mason Clinic. In addition to full-time clinical practice, he has served on the clinical faculty of the University of Washington as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry. For over 20 years, Dr Rynearson has maintained a particular clinical and research focus on the effects of violent death on family members and has been published in clinical papers, book chapters, and three books, Retelling Violent Death and Violent Death: Resilience, Intervention Beyond the Crisis, and the Restorative Nature of Ongoing Connections with the deceased. He has delivered numerous national and international training sessions on the management of the clinical effects of violent death. He also developed a collaborative training program for Israeli and Palestinian clinicians in supporting members of their communities with traumatic grief associated with violent death. Currently, Dr. Rynearson is spearheading The Grief Companioning Program for individuals who have experienced a violent death, with no-cost support to help guide them through their grief journey. Dr Rynearson lives on Puget Sound and enjoys hiking and spending time with his family.

Cindi Sinnema has worked in the field of traumatic response and community support for over 30 years. She attended the University of Washington and worked with Separation and Loss Services at Virginia Mason and then as a Chaplain locally and across the county. She has worked with individuals, families and communities impacted by disasters, both natural and man-made. In her role as Chaplain, she trained community volunteers to assist in the aftermath of trauma and loss. She worked with Behind the Badge Foundation serving "first responders all over the country to provide support and follow-up services to those impacted by trauma. Currently, Cindi is the Director of the Grief Companioning Project.

Robin Gaphni, MA, has over 25 years of experience in the non-profit world. She holds an M.A. in Adult Education and Training from Seattle University and a Death & Grief Studies Certificate from the Center for Loss & Life Transition. In 2010, she and her family lost their 21-year-old son Matthew to a virulent form of strep. In a blink, her life was profoundly changed, and this loss became an integral part of who she is now.

Robin started facilitating grief support groups for IVC in the fall of 2012, and officially joined them as Program Manager in 2013. For nine years she was delighted to head up the volunteer and care receiver programs for IVC, and found she was perfectly suited in the role of “connector.” In 2022, she left IVC and found her way to Bloedel Reserve as the Well-Being Program Manager. Here she heads up the Strolls for Well-Being program, as well as the Grief Support Groups that Bloedel and IVC run jointly. Robin is delighted to be actively involved with IVC!

Register now to secure your spot!

This event has been approved for 2 CEUs by the Washington Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Your Provider number is #1975-473

Note that each webinar in the series has been approved for 1 CEU. To receive 2 CEUs, you must attend both parts of the series.

After you register here, you will recieve a link to the zoom webinar before the start of the event.

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This webinar is part of the series that was produced in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health.