Exploring death, dying and the end of life client: Session 1 - Exploring Death & Dying

Who is it aimed at

Trainee and Qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. 

Workshop Outline

In this series of workshops we will explore death, dying and working with the end of life client. These rich sessions will include an exploration of the language we use around death and dying and why this is important. How working with the end of life client is different and what needs to be considered. A model for working with the end of life client and applying this to some fictions case studies. The assisted dying bill and what this potentially means.  

These sessions may provoke some strong emotions. You are welcome to bring something which comforts and/or grounds you to the sessions. 

Session 1 - Exploring Death & Dying 

Together we will explore -  

• The taboo nature of death. 

• The language we use around death and dying and why this is important. How do we as therapists collude with the taboo? 

• The paradox of dying.  

• Expectations - for the dying and the bereaved. Our role as therapists.  

Aims

• To discover the importance of talking about death and your feelings about this, to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves should this present in practice. 

• To discover the considerations we need to account for when working with the end of life client and how this would impact your practice.  

• To engage with a model for working with clients who are end of life, through the use of a fictitious case study, in order to apply in your own practice. 

• To review the proposed assisted dying bill and what this potentially means for us as counsellors and psychotherapists.  

Learning Outcomes

• Gaining a deeper understanding of your own responses, feelings and beliefs about death, dying and working with the end of life client.  

• What you would need to consider and account for when working with the end of life client and how you might apply this in practice. 

• A framework to use when working with the end of life client to apply to your own practice.  

• Applying TA theory to working with the end of life client. 

Facilitator

Sharon Baker – CTA -P 

Sharon is based in the East Midlands. She has provided therapy to end of life clients in a hospice environment and in private practice. She is passionate about talking about death openly and runs regular online therapy groups for trainee and qualified therapists to explore their relationship with death.