I spend much of my time helping to educate and train professionals and lay people on aspects of grief and loss.
I have presented at national conferences for the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the National Funeral Directors Association, as well as State-wide conferences for the Colorado Hospice Organization.
In 2014, I was honored to be the key note speaker for a 3 day conference, “When Our Children Die”, in Jackson TN organized by Ayers Children’s Medical Center and other local organizations in response to all of the child deaths the community had experienced. In addition to being the keynote speaker, I conducted a number of workshops for professional caregivers, educators and first responders.
I have led education programs locally for a wide variety of organizations, including:
| Hospice and Hospitals, including: | Faith Communities including: |
| The Denver Hospice | St Andrew’s Episcopal Church |
| VNA Hospice | St Jude Catholic Church |
| Porter Hospice (volunteers and social workers) | Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church |
| University of Colorado Hospital social workers and ethics committee | Risen Christ Catholic Church |
| Presbyterian/St Luke’s decedent affairs department | Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church |
| Denver Health Medical Center students, ethics committee and social workers | |
| Centura St Anthony Central, Community Education Program | Education Institutions, including |
| North Suburban Medical Center CPE Students | University of Colorado, Graduate Sociology |
| Vistacare Hospice | Regis University, Social Work |
| Namaste Comfort Care | Arapahoe Community College |
| Rocky Mountain Cancer Care | Overland High School |
| Lutheran Hospice | |
| Government: | |
| Denver Police Department | Adams County Victim Advocates |
| Arapahoe County Victim Advocates | Parker Police Department |
Topics include:
“When Someone Dies”
“Coping with Holidays and Other Special Days”
“Growing Through Grief and Loss”
“The Importance of Ritual in the Process of Grief”
“Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care”
“Leading Grief Support Groups”
“Be Quiet and Wear Beige – attending the funeral of your ex spouse and father of your children”
My approach
When asked to speak at a conference or for an organization, it is important that I understand the needs of the organization and the learning objectives they are trying to fulfill. I work closely with the convener to plan how I can be the most benefit to the participants.