Narrative Writing for Exploration and Healing in Grief

Live Interactive Webinar  
Instructor: Arika Patneaude, M.S.W., LICSW
Level: Intermediate  
CEs: 1.5
Target Audience: Social workers and other social service providers working in palliative care.
Course Delivery Method, Format and Instructor Interaction: Live interactive webinar with discussion. Instructor will use lecture, experiential exercises, large group discussions. Attendees are visible to one another in Zoom meeting and are encouraged to be active participants with their camera and/or microphone in order take part in discussion. Login information will be emailed to all program participants in advance of the start of the program.
System Requirements: Attendees will need access to a computer with working camera and microphone. All courses are offered using Zoom conferencing software.

Narrative writing is an invaluable tool for work with clients, caregivers, colleagues and as a tool to cope with vicarious traumatization. The act of writing during challenging and pivotal life challenges, including confronting the end of life, allows for meaning-making and transformation. A theoretical framework will be explored, presenting research on the power of writing as a healing tool in end of life and bereavement. In this class we will discuss the theories of narrative for clinical interventions and then write together using focused prompts and a discussion about how to use this incredible tool with many different populations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the healing benefits of narrative as shown in the research
2. Apply narrative writing techniques to explore issues of mortality
3. Recognize opportunities for using narrative techniques

Outline: 1.5 hours

• Theoretical exploration of narrative writing and its uses and benefits in end-of-life care and bereavement

• Experiential exercises using writing prompts, distributing sample prompts for the use of students

• Presentation of the uses of narrative writing with diverse populations, including end of life patients, affected families, colleagues and as a tool for coping with vicarious traumatization. This will include a discussion of issues of sensitivity for the variety of communities we serve.