The Therapeutic Healing Power of Words & The Writing Process: Giving Grief a Voice
Presenter(s): Gae Savino, LCSW, CT & Linnie Larson Pickering, LMSW
NASW-NYS Members: $20
NASW Other Chapter Members: $40
Non-Members: $50
This workshop is approved for 2.0 continuing education credit hour(s) for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed psychologists.
Workshop Description
This workshop will explore the benefits of finding a “voice” to express an individual’s grief experience through the process of writing. Participants will be guided through specific techniques that unlock grief emotions using both words & the physical healing practice of writing. The workshop will explore the mind-body connection experienced during grief. Grief case studies, practical prompts, tips, grief writing exercises & the benefits of “Writing A Script” to best manage difficult moments will be incorporated to identify & process normal grief reactions. The workshop’s focus is on the power of writing as a therapeutic intervention to give grief emotions a voice.
Learning Objectives
After the completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Define the various forms of loss & identify the types of grief to increase awareness of the emotional components of the grief experience.
- Identify the elements of grief that can give voice to unspoken emotions through writing.
- Review the benefits of writing: the mind-body connection.
- Identify 3 specific writing techniques that unlock grief emotions as clients adapt to & integrate grief & stay treatment goal focused.
- Describe 4 benefits about the concept of “Write Your Script” which prepares clients to better manage difficult moments, avert uncomfortable interactions & regulate emotions on their grief journey.
This workshop is approved for 2.0 continuing education credit hour(s).
NASW-NYS is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (Provider ID #0014), licensed mental health counselors (Provider ID #MHC-0053), licensed marriage and family therapists (Provider ID #MFT-0037) and licensed psychologists (Provider ID #PSY-0088).
Gae Savino, LCSW, CT, is a licensed clinical social worker & certified death, dying & bereavement counselor. Gae provides mental health, end-of-life & grief counseling for individuals 18 years+, adults, couples & families in her Westchester private practice. She is Founder of Mindful Heart Counseling Services. Gae received her Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service. Gae did post graduate training at Columbia University’s Center for Complicated Grief. Additional training included the College of New Rochelle’s Graduate Certificate Program in Thanatology, Calvary Hospital, & The Bereavement Center of Westchester’s Tree House Program. She facilitates a variety of bereavement support groups: Death due to Addiction, Spousal, Parent, COVID Loss & Long Haulers due to COVID. She serves as an associate counselor with Catholic Charities Parish Counseling Network & its EAP. Gae served as an active volunteer with the WMCHealth Caregiver’s Center providing bereavement support for staff & family members in the Trauma ICU & medical ICU’s throughout the hospital. Gae is a frequent workshop presenter on issues of death, dying, bereavement, complicated grief & the multifaceted impact of COVID.
Linnie Larson Pickering, LMSW, received her BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania & her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University, where she won the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Linnie did extensive post graduate training at Columbia University’s Center for Complicated Grief. She is a specialist in the prevention of domestic violence, child abuse, suicide, sexual assault, & has been a provider of Mandated Reporter Training in Child Abuse & Neglect/Maltreatment Identification in New York. She has worked on New York State suicide, crisis, & domestic violence hotlines. She has developed & presented workshops on the above topics at both national & international schools & educational conferences. She currently has a private practice in Rye, NY with a focus on loss/grief, & is a frequent workshop presenter on topics related to loss, death, dying & bereavement. In addition, Linnie co-facilitates online COVID-19 Bereavement Support. Over the past year, Gae & Linnie have written & presented professional development programs & training courses for NASW & CHI Professional Development that provide CEU credits. These have included: Covid-19’s Impact on Loss &Grief; Online Bereavement Support Groups & Their Role During Covid-19; Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Planning Ahead to Manage Difficult Times. Additionally, Gae & Linnie serve on an international bereavement peer review consultation support group.
