Webinar Details

Registration will close at 5 PM ET on December 16, 2026

Session Description:

This presentation offers participants a meaningful opportunity to reflect on and refine their own clinical understanding of grief, encouraging both personal insight and professional growth. Attendees will be guided through an exploration of how grief is defined within clinical practice, recognizing that it is a complex, individualized experience shaped by cultural, emotional, and situational factors. The session will introduce and examine four prominent theories of grief, providing a foundation for understanding how individuals process loss over time. These theoretical perspectives will allow participants to compare traditional stage-based models with more contemporary, adaptive approaches that emphasize the non-linear and highly personal nature of grieving. In addition, the presentation will review the inclusion of Prolonged Grief Disorder in the DSM-5-TR, highlighting its diagnostic criteria, clinical implications, and the distinction between normative grief and more persistent, impairing grief responses. This discussion will support clinicians in identifying when grief may require more targeted intervention. Finally, the presentation will focus on practical strategies to support patients experiencing grief. Participants will learn approaches that foster compassionate, patient-centered care, including active listening, validation of emotional experiences, and the use of evidence-based interventions. By integrating theory, diagnostic criteria, and supportive techniques, this session aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge and tools necessary to respond effectively and empathetically to individuals navigating the challenges of loss.

Speaker:

Frances Ford has been practicing as a licensed clinical social worker for over 12 years. Frances graduated with her master’s degree in social work in May 2012 from the Catholic University of America. During her studies, she specialized in clinical health care social work. From 2012-2017, Frances worked as a Transplant and Primary Care Social Worker at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. Since June 2017, Frances has worked as an Oncology Social Worker at New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH) in the Albany, NY area. She currently serves as NYOH’s Social Work Manager and offers palliative care services at one of the organization’s rural sites of service. In May 2022, Frances received her Palliative and End of Life Care Certification through Smith College. Frances also has an interest in therapeutic writing and started a writing workshop program at NYOH in 2021. Frances resides in Albany, NY with her husband and two young sons.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Develop one’s own clinical definition of grief

2. Describe four theories of grief

3. Discuss DSM-V addition of Prolonged Grief Disorder

4. Identify how to support patients who are experiencing grief

CE credits: 1.0 hours available for purchase
Click here to view Continuing Education information.
Category: Clinical/General
Educational Level: Intermediate

Please note: Registration will close at 5 PM ET on December 16, 2026

ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS (ASWB):
This organization, Association of Oncology Social Workers, ACE Approval #1351, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/11/25 – 11/11/28.  Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 cultural competency continuing education credits.

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S STATE BOARD FOR SOCIAL WORK:
Association of Oncology Social Work, Inc., SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0320.

Completion Requirements:
Social workers must successfully complete a quiz with a 75% passing grade and answer evaluation questions to earn credit for both live and recorded events.

*ACE approval is not accepted by all Boards. Please check the ACE jurisdiction map for a list of jurisdictions that currently accept ACE.