KEYNOTE:sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Finding Hope After the Sudden Death of a Sibling:

• Participants will understand the unique challenges that siblings face following the death of their brother or sister.
• Participants will learn ways that siblings can find hope and meaning again after the death of their brothers or sisters.
• Participants will learn how they can best be of support to a grieving sibling.

Dr. Heidi Horsley is a licensed psychologist and social worker in private practice in Manhattan (www.DrHeidiHorsley.com). She is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Open to Hope Foundation and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. As an internationally known grief expert, author, and bereaved sibling, Heidi co-hosts the syndicated internet radio show, “Open to Hope.”  She presents at National Compassionate Friends Conferences and the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and consults with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Heidi serves on the advisory board for Our Conservatory, a national music program for at risk teens.  She has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and been quoted in the Washington Post, Time Magazine, Money Magazine and the New York Daily News, in addition to many other media venues. She also gives presentations, workshops and professional continuing education courses throughout the country for health care professionals. Since 9/11 she has worked in a research and clinical capacity for the FDNY/Columbia University Family Guidance Program; a study providing ongoing intervention and follow-up to families of firefighters killed in the World Trade Center, including workshops for bereaved siblings.  She has written numerous articles for professional journals, and is co-author of the books Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback’s Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss; Teen Grief Relief: Parenting with Understanding Support and Guidance; Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society:  Bridging Research and Practice; and Open to Hope – Inspirational Stories of Life, Loss and Love. Heidi earned a doctorate in psychology (Psy.D.) from the University of San Francisco; a master’s degree in social work (L.M.S.W.) from Columbia University, and a master's degree in mental health counseling (M.S.) from Loyola University in New Orleans.

Walking Through Grief- Complications of Grief

This workshop will introduce participants to the complications of grief that result from multiple, deaths, sudden death and cause of death. Excerpts from “Walking Through Grief” video will be played to further illustrate these complications of grief . Participants will be asked to share their thoughts and feelings and to engage in an activity to think about ways that they can help others identify strategies to deal with complicated grief differently.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify the specific challenges presented due to the experience of multiple and sudden death and due to cause of death.
• To identify at least 3 strategies that professionals can use to help families deal with complications of grief.
• To identify specific support networks designed to help individuals mitigate the effects of complicated grief.

Glen Lord has been very involved in local chapters of the Compassionate Friends in New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well as with the national organization. Glen began ARC Marketing and has founded The Grief Toolbox with the hope of it being an available resource for the bereaved and those who work to help them.  The Grief Toolbox offers tools for finding hope along the grief journey.  For more information go online at
www.thegrieftoolbox.com.

Living with Brain Injury:  Understanding Grief and Loss

This workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about how to help families impacted by brain injury grieve as they come to terms with this sudden life changing loss. This session is designed for professionals working with the brain injury population as well as for family members and survivors who have recently experienced brain injury.
During this workshop participants will have the opportunity to learn about how brain injury can significantly impact the lives of individuals who sustain a brain injury, as well as the global impact this injury can have on primary relationships and the family system.
During this session, the presenter will provide a firsthand account of the emotional challenges he faced grieving over his sudden loss resulting from a serious brain injury in the fall of 1999. He will openly share how he eventually came to terms with the seemingly overwhelming feelings of his sudden and total “Loss of Self” and unclear vision of his future.
He will discuss how one’s personal journey of self-assessment, self-exploration, personal drive and unbridled determination can be paramount in recovery.   He will share how his drive ultimately helped him reclaim pieces of his former life as a professional counselor, and redefine a new life purpose. He will openly share how important his wife’s unwavering support was in reaching the significant degree of improvement he has made in his recovery. He will also discuss the role that family, friends and caregivers play in the ever changing landscape of the healing process that often times occurs with brain injury survivors.
This session will also offer counselors, social workers, therapists and other helping professionals working with this population a framework toward understanding grief and loss from both the brain injury survivor and family member’s perspective. Consideration Points to think about when working with those impacted by brain injury will also be discussed.  This presentation will also address some potential strategies and approaches that can benefit this population throughout the recovery journey.

The presenter will also briefly highlight for treatment providers the importance of being familiar with the relationship between brain injury and behavior, and how the consequences of brain injury may impact a survivor’s ability to fully engage in, and benefit from the counseling process.
There will also be time allotted for Q and A by participants.

Participants will be able to:

• Learn how brain injury can significantly impact the lives of individuals who sustain a brain injury, as well as the global impact this injury can have on primary relationships and the family system.
• Learn about emotional challenges faced by brain injury survivors .
• Learn how one’s personal journey of self-assessment, self-exploration, personal drive and unbridled determination can be paramount in recovery and in redefining a new life purpose.
• Learn about the role that family, friends and caregivers play in the ever-changing landscape of the healing process that often times occurs with brain injury survivors.
• Offer counselors, social workers, therapists and other helping professionals working with this population a framework toward understanding grief and loss from both the brain injury survivor and family member’s perspective. Consideration Points to think about when working with those impacted by brain injury will also be discussed. 
• Learn some potential strategies and approaches that can benefit this population throughout the recovery journey.
• The importance of being familiar with the relationship between brain injury and behavior, and how the consequences of brain injury may impact a survivor’s ability to fully engage in, and benefit from the counseling process.

Chris Hotaling, MA, BS holds degrees in counseling psychology. He has worked in the counseling field for over 20 years and is a New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Emeritus, retired Credentialed Prevention Specialist, and Guidance Counselor. His international consulting experience includes working with the University of LaVerne and with Akita University.  Over the course of Chris’s career he has designed and delivered peer leadership training programs for young adults, in-service training programs for teachers in the secondary education system, and professional presentations to a variety of disciplines. It is through his presentations, discussions and support group facilitation, and motivational speaking engagements that Chris enables others to restore hope, reclaim purpose, and aspire to move forward in their lives. Chris is currently a Personal Life Adjustment Coach and Consultant for ASPIRE PLACE, the company he and his wife Amy founded.  For more information go online at www.aspireplace.com.

Amy Hotaling, MBA, BS holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Amy is a Certified Paralegal and has worked in the human services field as well as in the banking and finance industry. She presents at workshops, conferences, and training programs for professionals who provide brain injury services, as well as for families impacted by brain injury throughout the state of Arizona. She has also trained work groups and business executives in policy and procedure regulations in the business banking sector in New York City. She has worked as an adjunct professor and facilitates support and discussion groups.  ASPIRE PLACE, a Personal Life Adjustment Coaching and Consultation company was founded by Amy and her husband Chris and more information may be found online at www.aspireplace.com.

The End of a Dream-Unpacking the Trauma of Infant Death

Our workshop will outline the continuum of perinatal and infant loss, with a special focus on a quality of invisibility, which can exist in parents’ experience of their loss. This state of invisibility compounds the suffering of families, personally and institutionally. We will review the best practices in hospital settings, current developments in our communal understanding of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, and clinical considerations when responding to bereaved parents in therapeutic relationships. The goal of the workshop is to sensitize participants to the existence of sudden infant death in our communities and  to share ways in which those who care, personally and/or professionally, can contribute to families’ healing process through recognition, understanding and support.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify the special needs of families who have perinatal and infant loss.
• Recognize important considerations in the arena of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.
• Examine clinical needs and provide tools for supporting bereaved parents and families.

Clemencia Molina, MA is the Regional Coordinator for the Central New York Office of the Sudden Infant Death and Child Death Resource Center in Central New York.  As part of this statewide program out of the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University, the CNY office reaches out to communities and families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of an infant or young child in the region.  This is done through educational and public awareness programs for professionals and community-based organizations, as well as support and referrals for bereaved families.  She is a member of four multi-disciplinary Child Fatality Review Teams in the Central New York region, which endeavor to understand the direct and associated causes of infant death and contribute to the development of risk-reduction strategies.  She is also a member of the Central New York Perinatal and Infant Bereavement Network (CNYPIBN), a collaboration between bereaved parents, professionals, and other interested community members in the support of optimal bereavement care for Central New York.

Janet Press, RNC, MS, CT is the Perinatal/Obstetrical Coordinator for the Central New York Region.  She works with families who have high-risk pregnancies and coordinates the RTS Perinatal Bereavement Program at Crouse Hospital.  Janet has been an OB nurse since 1978, working in Labor and Delivery, post-partum and newborn nursery.  In 1992, she took the Resolve Through Sharing (RTS) bereavement services training.  She taught the RTS training in the Central New York Region biannually from 1994-2011.  She has also presented at Perinatal Bereavement conferences, Grand Rounds of MD and Nurse Groups, and of OB offices.  In 2003, she became certified by ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling) in Thanatology.  She is a founding member of the Central New York Perinatal and Infant Bereavement Network and recently completed her MSN as a CNS focusing on adult palliative care.

Lessons Learned from 9/11

In this workshop, Dr. Horsley will introduce her longitudinal research project (2001-2011) with professionals and family members following 9/11.
Unique characteristics of trauma and tragedy(sudden/unexpected, violence, media impact) will be discussed as well as the influence of media on the loss process. The importance of acute response/timely support for families will also be emphasized.

Participants will be able to:

• Differentiate traumatic loss from non-traumatic loss.
• Explore strategies for assisting individuals, families; organizations and communities following catastrophic losses, including lessons learned from 9/11.
• Outline the multiple roles of the professional (i.e. crisis intervention, advocacy, support, resources)

Dr. Heidi Horsley is a licensed psychologist and social worker in private practice in Manhattan (www.DrHeidiHorsley.com). She is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Open to Hope Foundation and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. As an internationally known grief expert, author, and bereaved sibling, Heidi co-hosts the syndicated internet radio show, “Open to Hope.”  She presents at National Compassionate Friends Conferences and the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and consults with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Heidi serves on the advisory board for Our Conservatory, a national music program for at risk teens.  She has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and been quoted in the Washington Post, Time Magazine, Money Magazine and the New York Daily News, in addition to many other media venues. She also gives presentations, workshops and professional continuing education courses throughout the country for health care professionals. Since 9/11 she has worked in a research and clinical capacity for the FDNY/Columbia University Family Guidance Program; a study providing ongoing intervention and follow-up to families of firefighters killed in the World Trade Center, including workshops for bereaved siblings.  She has written numerous articles for professional journals, and is co-author of the books Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback’s Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss; Teen Grief Relief: Parenting with Understanding Support and Guidance; Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society:  Bridging Research and Practice; and Open to Hope – Inspirational Stories of Life, Loss and Love. Heidi earned a doctorate in psychology (Psy.D.) from the University of San Francisco; a master’s degree in social work (L.M.S.W.) from Columbia University, and a master's degree in mental health counseling (M.S.) from Loyola University in New Orleans.

Coping With Grief After Suicide: A Mother’s Story

Jeanette will describe what the bereavement journey was like for one mother following her child's suicide.  She will explore what a mother might need as a suicide survivor and some common themes shared with other suicide survivors.  Jeanette also will share coping and support strategies that seemed to help the most and suggest a few things others can do to help those bereaved by suicide.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify resources, common themes and types of support needed for families who have survived suicide.
• Learn coping and support strategies that are most helpful to those families affected by suicide.
• Interventions that professionals can use to help those bereaved by suicide.

Jeanette Dippo, RN, BS, MS served for almost 38 years as the Coordinator of the award-winning Cortland City School District’s Health Education and Wellness Program. Following her own physician daughter’s death by suicide in March 2006, she trained as a Survivor Outreach Program volunteer and a Suicide Survivor Support Group facilitator through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Jeanette also serves on the CNY Suicide Prevention Coalition and currently is an adjunct instructor of health at SUNY Cortland.

 

AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS:

The Birdhouse Project - A Metaphor for Self-Discovery

The Birdhouse Project is a step-by-step project to help us identify and find our way back to life after loss or crisis.  By seeing how these blank pieces represent the pieces of our lives, we can express our weaknesses, strengths and desires as we symbolically rebuild our lives, so we are ready to host new life.  This building process encourages us to spend time exploring our emotions and putting each in its proper place.  Whether we share our feelings or keep them to ourselves, the important thing is that we are putting the pieces back together in a meaningful, constructive way.

Participants will be able to:

• Discover ways to rebuild lives after traumatic loss.
• Learn how to explore emotions related to grief and learn how to manage them.
• Learn how survivors of catastrophic loss can rebuild the pieces of their lives in a way that reflects their “New Normal.”

Kris Munsch is an Assistant Professor at Fort Hays State University.  He lost his sixteen-year-old son, Blake, in a tragic automobile accident on December 23, 2005. Overnight, Kris went from being a highly successful business owner to a reclusive basement-dweller. In 2009, he partnered with Jeff Fouquet to develop and write The Birdhouse Project: A Collaboration of The Heart, Mind and Hands. In honor of his son, Kris has traveled the lower 48 states, living out of his vehicle, teaching the metaphor of the birdhouse and hoping this challenge will lead to new levels of self-discovery. Kris’s presentations and workshops are 100% from the heart, in the moment, and filled with his life story of struggle after the death of his son. For more information go online at http://www.thebirdhouseproject.com.

Making the Invisible Strings Visible:  Weaving Together Your Support Network

Grief is an individualized and life-long process that can be a rollercoaster of emotions, stress being a major one. Stress can affect a person physically, emotionally, behaviorally, socially and spiritually. Although a person’s grief never really ends, it is the hope that he/ she learns healthy ways to cope with emotions, utilize  a healthy support network and find a place for the deceased in their life.

Participants will be provided with a variety of string, ribbon and fabric and supported in creating a small woven piece to use as a tapestry, bracelet, pin/ broach or key fob (or whatever your imagination and time permits!) representative of loved ones (both alive and deceased).  If participants wish, they may bring their own string, ribbon or fabric that belonged to the deceased to use in their project.  Ultimately, this is an experiential workshop where participants will have the opportunity to create a keepsake honoring their loved ones and making their “invisible strings” visible.  No previous weaving or art-making experience is necessary. 

Brief Education

• Dr. William Worden’s 4 Tasks of Grief
• Stress as related to the grief process
• Symptoms of stress
• Benefits of using art in the grief process and in stress management

Experiential

• Read Patrice Karst’s The Invisible String
• Identify support network
• Choose materials based on supports and loved ones
• Create weaving
• Opportunity to share

Participants Will Be Able To:

• Individualize the grief process
• Discuss one developmental theory on grief
• Assess physical, emotional, behavioral, social and spiritual effects of stress in grieving
• Name 3 benefits of art making in grief
• Utilize creativity as a coping skill
• Emotionally relocate loved ones, both alive and deceased

•        Identify a support network

•        Draw on bibilotherapy for support in the grief process

•        Decrease stress

•        Utilize simple weaving techniques

Kelly Murphy, MA, LCAT is a Licensed, Registered, and Board Certified Creative Arts Therapist who has been involved in the helping professions for over 14 years specializing in using creative interventions to help people improve their lives.  Following her drive and life-long passion for helping people, she achieved her MA in Expressive Therapies: Art Therapy and Mental Health counseling from Lesley University in 2006. In 2006, Kelly began practicing creative arts psychotherapy as the Child and Adolescent Therapist at Oneida Indian Nation Behavioral Health Services (OINBHS). Kelly has also been in private practice since 2008 where her specialization has been in utilizing art therapy and a variety of creative means to assist individuals in coping with struggles secondary to medical and terminal illnesses, loss, and grief.   

Composing Grief

Participants will explore a unique way in which music can assist in the healing process. Most people have written poems at some point in their life. They will now experience how songwriting can offer empowerment to come to terms with loss. From this they will experience how music is like water that seeps into the soil of our souls and aids our emotions to grow to the surface to be expressed.

Participants will:

• Discover ways that songwriting can help grieving individuals manage the stress, hurt and emotions of grief
• Be introduced to the concept of songwriting so they can understand the value that it has in helping individuals of all ages deal with grief.

Tony Falzano is a college professor, published author, and award winning songwriter. Over his 40 year career of composing music, he has penned songs for the musical stage, jingles, contemporary pop, R & B and country and music for special projects. A cabaret featuring his songs has also been produced. Today, his newer music is often used during end of life transitions and by those in the healing arts. Tony also writes and speaks on the power of music and its many benefits for good health.

One Parent’s Response to Sudden Death: How First Responders
and Health Professionals may Help Survivors

In 2007 Harriet Hodgson’s daughter and former son-in-law died from the injuries they received in separate car crashes.  Their sudden deaths made her twin grandchildren orphans and Hodgson and her husband GRGs, grandparents raising grandchildren.  Her father-in-law and brother died the same year.  Four deaths within nine months stunned Hodgson and she faced the biggest challenge of her life—grieving for multiple losses while raising teenagers. 

When people hear Hodgson’s story they say the same thing, “It’s unbelievable.”  Her reply:  “I’ve had trouble believing it myself.”  It has taken years for this professional writer to come to terms with the cause of her daughter’s death—blunt force trauma—words no parent wants to hear or say.  This workshop begins with Hodgson’s compelling story and moves quickly to practical tips for first responders and health care professionals. 

During the workshop Hodgson will examine seven key issues.

Harriet Hodgson, MA, BS has been an independent journalist for 35+ years. She is author of 31 books and hundreds of print and Internet articles. She is a columnist for Caregiving in America magazine and is also an Open to Hope Website contributing author. Her writing comes from experience and Hodgson has shared her experiences on more than 160 talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. After her elder daughter and former son-in-law were killed in separate car crashes, Hodgson became a GRG – grandparent raising grandchildren.  She is assistant editor of “ADEC Connects”, the electronic newsletter for the Association of Death Education Coalition.  She has been cited in Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who in America, and World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories.  She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Association for Death Education and Counseling, and Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support.  For more information go online at www.harriethodgson.com.

Looking at Grief through the Eyes of a Child

This workshop is a combination of lecture, collaborative learning, and activities designed to help adults support grieving children.  It is reflective of an innovative school-based child life support program that addresses skill building and coping strategies for school aged children who have experienced a loss or other life changing events.

Participants will leave the workshop with:

• An understanding of children’s grief reactions
• Activities to encourage children’s use of coping skills
• Techniques for adults to utilize when working with grieving children
• Resources for helping grieving children and their families

Susan Cooper, B.A., CCLS
Susan Cooper recently retired from St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica, New York where she was the Child Life Specialist-Family Care Provider since 1986.  During this time she provided psycho-social and emotional support to hospitalized children and their families.   In the role of Child Life-Family Care Provider, Sue also provided grief support, family support and community support during times of major traumas and life changing events.   Since 1992 Sue has been the coordinator of the Mid-State EMS Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Sue also provides child life services to area schools via the BOCES CORE Child Life Program.  This program, which is the first of its kind in the country, supports elementary students who have experienced a loss or other life changing event by providing one to one and group support facilitated by a certified child life specialist Sue is a regular presenter at educational workshops in New York State.  She is a consultant for local businesses, schools, and funeral homes where she provides support to staff and families at the time of tragedies. Sue is involved in numerous community programs, boards and task forces that relate to children and the well-being of children. She is a partner in Brown-Cooper Child Life Consulting Services, Inc.  Sue resides locally with her husband David.  They are the parents of three adult children and seven grandchildren.