with Dr. Glenda Dickinson, NCC, LCPC Private Practice, Upper Marlboro, MD 

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Traumatic grief is a phenomenon that merges the sudden, distressing experience of trauma with the death of a loved one. It brings with it varying levels of hopelessness and often shatters the worldview of the bereaved. For some, such tragedy can result in a loss of faith, while for others the need to become more deeply immersed in their faith or involved in their religion as they seek solace is amplified. This segment of the series will address the sense-losing aspect of traumatic grief, acknowledge the crippling pain that the bereaved experience as they navigate their grief journey, recognize the role of spirituality, religion, and social support in mitigating grief, and determine ways for the bereaved to begin a sense-remaking journey. We will also take a cursory view of the prevalence of homicide in our communities as a backdrop to the traumatic grief issues that result. 

Learning Objectives:

• Recognizing and understanding traumatic grief and how it differs from other grief events including prolonged
• The role of spirituality, religion, and social support in navigating the grief
• What’s next for the family and the community? How could we create a meaningful situation from a sense-losing, catastrophic event?

About the presenter:

Dr. Glenda Laurent Dickinson is a licensed clinical professional counselor with a passion for helping her clients on their journey to wellness. She embraces positive psychology and a growth-oriented, eclectic approach to treatment. Dr. Dickinson earned both her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and her MS in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. She also earned an M.S.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Hunter College, City University of New York. 

Dr. Dickinson’s research focuses on the cultural and spiritual intersections of parental grieving and posttraumatic growth among parents of homicide victims. Her study has contributed to the development of a trauma grief growth model which she uses as a framework for understanding and treating traumatic grief.