Global Grief Network logoGGN Advanced Applied Grief Practice
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 1 of 6

Foundations of Advanced Practice

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

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.

Lessons in this module
  1. Beyond the basics
  2. Core values
  3. The practice cycle

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Beyond the basics

Advanced practice is not about knowing every answer. It is about staying steady in complex situations, thinking clearly about options, acting within your role, and learning from each experience.

Core values

Grief support rests on dignity, respect for each person's way of grieving, cultural humility, honesty, safety, and hope. These values guide decisions when situations are unclear.

The practice cycle

This program uses a simple cycle: Assess the situation and risks, Decide on options using values and scope, Act with care, and Reflect on what happened and what you learned.

GGN reminder: Advanced practice is steady presence plus clear thinking, grounded in values.
GGN practiceValues check (about 10 minutes)

Write the five values that most guide your grief support work. For each, write one way it shows up in your practice. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional composite caseFictional Composite Case 1.1: The first year

This case is a fictional composite written by the Global Grief Network for learning. It does not describe any real person.

Morgan has volunteered with a grief center for a year. She feels confident in one on one listening but freezes when families disagree in front of her. She wants to grow.

Questions to consider:

  1. What would advanced practice look like for Morgan?
  2. How could the practice cycle help?

Discussion: Advanced practice would help Morgan stay steady in conflict and think about options. Using the cycle, she could assess what is happening, decide on an approach within her role, act calmly, and reflect afterward with a mentor.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What does advanced practice mean to you?
  2. Which values guide you most?
  3. Where do you want to grow?

Module 1 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.