High School

College prep classes are essential if you wish to enter the field of grief therapy. In order to learn how to deal with a diverse group of people from all cultural backgrounds, courses in health, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and religion are helpful. Communication is a key part of the grief therapists job, so speech, foreign languages, communication, and English courses are also vital. It may be a good idea to check with the colleges you have selected to find out what courses they recommend for a career in psychology and counseling.

Postsecondary Training

Degrees that feature a strong psychology component or a premed program are usually recommended for counselors. This must be followed with a masters program in counseling, social work, or psychology. Following this with a doctoral degree in psychology is recommended for the best job prospects.

Certification

Some colleges and universities offer certificates in thanatology, grief counseling, and related fields. For example, Hood College (Frederick, MD) offers a 12-credit certificate in thanatology to students who complete the following courses: Grief, Mourning, and Bereavement; Principles of Thanatology; Developmental Perspectives in Thanatology; and Historical and Multicultural Perspectives in Thanatology. Contact schools in your area to learn more about available programs.

Other Education or Training

Many professional counseling associations offer continuing education (CE) opportunities. For example, the Association for Death Education and Counseling has offered webinars such as Art Therapy Memory Boxes: Containers of Love and Loss; Supporting Grieving Children: Compassionate Care for Anticipating Loss; and When Dementia Caregiving is Trauma: Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Care with Active and Bereaved Caregivers. It also offers a Handbook of Thanatology self study course. The American Counseling Association offers a variety of online and in-person classes, workshops, and seminars such as Prolonged Grief and Existential Counseling, and Responding to Crisis: Police and Counselors Collaboration. The American Mental Health Counselors Association and the Gerontological Society of America also provide continuing education opportunities. Contact these organizations to learn more.

Certification or Licensing

The Association for Death Education and Counseling offers several certification programs. Visit https://www.adec.org for more information.

Some states require grief therapists to obtain licenses in order to practice. These licensing requirements may vary from state to state, so it is best to check with the state in which you plan to practice. The American Counseling Association offers detailed information on state licensing requirements for counselors. Some states may limit counselors private practices to areas in which they have developed professional competence. There may also be some continuing education requirements for license renewal.

Aspiring grief therapists should obtain experience by working as interns with hospices, health care agencies, hospitals, or crisis care organizations, or with therapists in private practices. Most grief therapists work for a few years as general counselors before specializing in grief therapy.

If you are interested in becoming a grief therapist, you should enjoy working with people and feel comfortable dealing with clients who have suffered personal loss. You should show patience and be a compassionate listener, as well as be able to express yourself clearly and tactfully. Organizational skills are also important for keeping notes on clients and managing appointments.

Grief therapists must not let their jobs take an emotional toll on their own lives. Though they hear many stories of grief and sadness, therapists can also find their job rewarding and uplifting as they help people overcome feelings of depression and despair and continue with their lives.