In the Child and Family Life Department at Michigan Medicine’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, play therapy is often used to help family members verbalize their needs and process losses. A look at techniques with a focus on helping siblings trying to process life-changing medical events for other siblings and family members.

Jennifer Gretzema, LLPC, NCC, SCL, CCLS
Child Life Specialist and Mental Health Counselor
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

Coping with the loss can be difficult and overwhelming. This program will discuss leading educator, grief counselor, and author Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s needs of mourning. I will also offer an opportunity to learn more about what is normal in grief and how to approach loss with an element of hope..

Margie Martin, MA
Grief Support Services Manager and Community Liaison
Arbor Hospice in Ann Arbor

A conversation about the power of poetry to help process grief and re-shape experience through expressive language and poetric reflection.

Rabbi Sara O’Donnell Adler, BCC
Healthcare Chaplain & Poet
Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan

Cody Walker, MFA
Poet & English Professor
LS&A, University of Michigan

Learning how to identify and cope with anticipatory grief symptoms while you are caring for a dying loved one can help you find more meaningful ways to say goodbye and help you prepare for a future for yourself after the anticipated loss.

Jennifer Hill Buehrer, LMSW
Palliative Care Social Worker
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor

Bereaved families often have questions about what grief can look like in their children and teens. This workshop will provide an understanding of children’s grief, possible grief reactions at various developmental stages and ways for parents and caregivers to provide support. 

Hannah Brown, LMSW
Ele’s Place Ann Arbor

Depending on their age, children may not be cognitively able to understand death or grief-related concepts. It can be challenging as professionals to know how to approach these conversations. This presentation will provide an overview of characteristics of children’s grief and possible grief reactions at various developmental stages. Tips for providing support to grieving children and teens will be shared, as well as helpful language to use.

Peggy Galimberti, LMSW – Clinical, ACSW
Program Director/Clinical Social Worker, Ele’s Place Ann Arbor