Disenfranchised Grief: The Unspoken Losses
Education and prevention are powerful tools for understanding and coping with the complex challenges that come with addiction. For families currently living with addiction, the experience of disenfranchised grief—grief that isn’t always recognized or validated—can be especially difficult. Grief from non-death and secondary losses is real and deserves awareness, acknowledgment, care, and support.
In this webinar, Julie Olds from Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Services will explore what disenfranchised grief is, with a focus on its various forms, particularly those related to addiction and non-death losses. Participants will learn ways to recognize and support individuals navigating this often-overlooked form of grief.
The session will draw on foundational research in the field: Dr. Kenneth Doka, who coined the term disenfranchised grief; Dr. Darcy Harris, who expanded understanding of non-death losses; John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory; and Colin Murray Parkes’ and Ronnie Janoff-Bulman’s work on the Assumptive World and Shattered Assumptions.
CEUS: Will be applied for.
Presenter
Julie Olds, MMC, CT, CFC
Julie Olds is the Director of Community Relations and Education for Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Allied Medicine and from Franklin University with a Master’s Degree in Communication. She is a Certified Thanatologist and a Certified Funeral Celebrant.
During her career, Julie has worked hard to bring a greater understanding and awareness of grief in the community through education. In 2013 Julie was instrumental in developing Schoedinger’s continuing education program, applying to become an approved provider by the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist board of Ohio. In 2021, Julie established the Central Ohio Grief Care Coalition in response to the increasing demand for grief care and support following COVID. Today, the coalition represents organizations and agencies that provide grief care and support for all types of losses to families and individuals in the Central Ohio community.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys jewelry-crafting and creative activities. She also enjoys playing games with her family as well as cooking and baking. Julie hopes to one day publish her own book about non-death loss and disenfranchised grief.
Learn more about The G.A.P. Network here.
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