Understanding Grief and Loss

Grief is the reaction to loss, and any kind of loss can trigger grief. People grieve for the loss of someone they love but also for the loss of independence, usefulness, cognitive functioning, and physical abilities. Grief is also a lifelong process: a journey rather than something that is cured. This course will teach people to recognize grief and how to respond appropriately to the grieving person. A final section on compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary stress includes strategies for professional self-care.

Learning Objectives:

• Define Grief

• Identify three physical changes that affect people as they age to normalize the process, and help people understand important aspects of working with a grieving person

• Identify three myths about grief

• List ways to manage compassion fatigue

Instructor: Ingrid Valdez

Ingrid is a bilingual, Spanish-speaking Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) based in San Francisco, originally from New York City with roots in the Dominican Republic. She holds a BA in Applied Psychology, an MA in Special Education, and is licensed as a BCBA in California. With a robust background in mental health education and applied interventions, she has provided support to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and has extensive experience in care coordination, individualized support planning, and advocacy for older adults with traumatic brain injury, dementia, and anxiety disorders. Her commitment to cultural sensitivity ensures that mental health education and services are inclusive and responsive to diverse community needs. Currently, Ingrid trains staff and volunteers in grief support, suicide prevention, and crisis de-escalation, equipping them with the skills to deliver compassionate and culturally competent care.

Ingrid believes that professionals should be working in partnership with clients to utilize their strengths to help them sort out their challenges and achieve their goals. She also realizes how important it is to identify all aspects of an individual’s life that impact their well-being including their physical health, support systems, work or school environment, and faith/spirituality in this process. She is committed to empowering professionals in the mental health field with the tools, training, and knowledge they need to perform optimally in their professional roles.

Date: March18th, 2025 10:00am-11:00am (Pacific Time)

Place: Online. The Zoom link for joining this workshop will be sent via email.

Cost: No charge, but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

For any questions about this training, please contact education@ioaging.org. Note that completion certificates are available. CEUs are not provided.

This training is offered by Institute on Aging's Friendship Line. To learn more about Friendship Line and other IOA programs and services, call our CONNECT team at 415.750.4111 or visit our website at www.ioaging.org

This program serving the community is funded by the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services.