Bring your grief support skills together through complex scenarios, ethical decision making, fictional composite case studies, boundaries, mentorship, and demonstrated competencies.
988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.
Grief support rarely follows a script. Practitioners meet families in conflict, people in crisis, overlapping losses, cultural and spiritual differences, and situations where the right action is not obvious. Advanced practice means bringing knowledge, skill, and values together in those moments.
This program is for grief educators, peer supporters, volunteers, faith leaders, and other practitioners who have some experience and want to go deeper. It uses fictional composite case studies written by the Global Grief Network, an original ethical decision process, and a set of competencies you can practice and demonstrate. Completing other GGN programs first is helpful but not required.
The Global Grief Network (GGN) exists so that no one has to grieve alone. Through the GGN app, the Memory Wall, our streaming and broadcasting channels, Grief Talk Magazine, the Grief First Aid course, the GGN Practitioner Directory, and the GGN Educator Directory, we connect grieving people with community, information, and care.
The program follows four simple steps that run through every module:
An important note before you begin. This is an education program. It is not crisis care, clinical treatment, counseling, or a substitute for professional help. If you or someone you love is in crisis in the United States, call or text 988. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Take breaks as you need them, and reach out if any part of this brings up pain for you.
GGN Advanced Applied Grief Practice: Complex Scenarios, Ethics, and Demonstrated Competencies. A GGN education program leading to the Global Grief Network Certification.
What this program is
A self-paced course of about 6 hours.
Plain-language education written for grieving people, supporters, and practitioners.
Practical, original GGN practices, fictional composite case studies, reflection prompts, and quizzes.
What this program is not
It is not crisis care. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 for immediate danger.
It is not mental health treatment or counseling.
It does not diagnose any condition.
It does not license anyone to provide counseling, clinical care, or crisis care, or replace professional supervision required in regulated roles.
Who This Program Is For
Grief educators, peer supporters, and volunteers with some experience.
Faith leaders, health and social care workers, and community leaders who support grieving people.
Practitioners preparing to mentor others.
There are no prerequisites.
Format and Time
Module
Title
Time
1
Foundations of Advanced Practice
1 hour
2
Complex Scenarios
1 hour
3
Ethical Decision Making
1 hour
4
Boundaries and Dual Roles
1 hour
5
Mentorship and Reflective Practice
1 hour
6
Demonstrated Competencies
1 hour
Each module has objectives, lessons, a GGN practice, a fictional composite case, reflection prompts, and a quiz. A final assessment, a crisis resources page, and the Global Grief Network Certification complete the program.
A note on safety and care
This program follows safe messaging practice. It does not include graphic detail or describe methods of harm, and it centers hope, help-seeking, and connection. All stories and cases are fictional and were written by the Global Grief Network. If you need to stop, please do, and come back when you are ready.
