Certified Grief Therapist (CGT)

Supporting Clients Through Grief and Loss

Grief is a universal experience, yet it manifests in unique ways depending on individual, cultural, and situational factors. Mental health professionals working with grieving clients must be equipped to navigate both typical grief responses and more complex presentations, such as complicated grief and trauma-related grief. Counseling plays a crucial role in helping individuals manage the emotional, cognitive, and social challenges of loss—especially when grief becomes complicated or traumatic. Left unresolved, grief can disrupt daily functioning and overall well-being.

This certification program is designed to empower mental health professionals with the expertise needed to differentiate between normal and traumatic grief, identify when specialized interventions are necessary, and apply effective therapeutic strategies. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of grief, exploring foundational models like Kubler-Ross alongside modern, trauma-informed approaches. In addition to theory, participants will receive hands-on training in techniques such as CBT, DBT, and Trauma-Focused CBT. They will also learn how to create culturally sensitive treatment plans, with an emphasis on ethical considerations specific to grief and trauma work, ensuring they provide competent and compassionate support to those in need.

The Certified Grief Therapist (CGT) Certification signifies that a professional has received specialized training in grief counseling and has demonstrated competence in providing evidence-based interventions for individuals and families experiencing loss.

Upcoming CGT Training Dates

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this certification program, participants will be able to:

• Describe key theories and models of grief and loss to inform clinical practice.
• Conduct grief assessments and identify when a diagnosis of complicated or traumatic grief is appropriate.
• Apply evidence-based counseling techniques for individuals, families, and groups experiencing grief.
• Adapt grief counseling approaches to meet the unique needs of special populations, including children and marginalized communities.
• Integrate trauma-informed principles into grief counseling to support clients with complex or traumatic loss experiences.
  

Target Audience For This Training

Professionals at various stages of their career—whether just starting or seasoned practitioners—will benefit from the program’s blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This certification program is designed for licensed and pre-licensed behavioral health professionals, including:

• Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs)
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
• Other licensed behavioral health professionals working in clinical, forensic, or community settings.

PREREQUISITES

The Certified Grief Therapist (CGT) Training is open to individuals with a minimum of a master's degree in the mental health field. Licensure in your state/jurisdiction is preferred, but not mandatory.

CONTENT AREA

Intermediate.

COURSE DELIVERY FORMAT

Live interactive webinar presentation. Attendees & presenters may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussions.

Course Completion and CE Information

This is a 12 hour course. Participants must pass a comprehensive exam and demonstrate their knowledge through case study analyses. Participants who successfully meet all program requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion and be awarded certification to use the title “Certified Grief Therapist.”

To earn CE credit, participants must be on time, sign in/out, attend the full 6 hours on both days, and complete a course evaluation to receive CE hours. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 5-7 business days of course completion. Partial credit is not permitted.

RECERTIFCATION

Professionals must renew their certification with CCALP every three (3) years from the date of initial certification. This required recertification process ensures continued professional development and keeps practitioners current with best practices in grief counseling.