Professional Diploma in Bereavement, Loss & Grief (Live Online) Lecturer Led Course €695

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, yet it can present in profoundly individual ways. For practitioners, supporting clients through bereavement and other forms of loss calls for more than empathy alone: it requires a grounded understanding of grief theory, the psychological and physical impacts of loss, cultural and spiritual considerations, and practical, evidence-informed intervention skills.

At the Institute for Counselling & Psychotherapy Studies, our Professional Diploma in Bereavement, Loss & Grief (Live Online) is designed for professionals who want to deepen their competence and confidence when working with grief in clinical and community settings.

Who this diploma is for

This programme is suitable for a wide range of helping professionals who may encounter grief and loss in their work, including:

·      Counsellors and psychotherapists

·      Therapists and mental health practitioners

·      Social workers and community support professionals

·      Healthcare professionals

·      Educators and those in supportive roles

It’s available to any member of the public with an interest in the field.

Whether you are already working with bereaved clients or you want to strengthen your foundations before taking on more complex grief presentations, this diploma offers structured learning, reflective practice, and skills development.

Course format and commitment

This is a live-online, lecturer-led course delivered via Zoom in a supportive virtual classroom environment.

·      Schedule: 1 evening per week, 6:00pm–8:30pm, for 10 weeks

·      Attendance requirement: 80% live attendance

·      CPD credits: 60 CPD credits

·      Learning hours: 25 hours live online attendance plus 35 hours self-directed learning

·      Assessment: Summative assessment

·      Award: Accredited Professional Diploma

This structure is designed to be manageable alongside professional and personal commitments, while still providing the depth required for meaningful clinical learning.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited/recognised by:

·      Professional Development Consortium (PDC)

·      CPD Standards Office (CPDSO)

·      Irish Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (ICPA)

Why bereavement training matters

Loss does not always follow a predictable path. Clients may present with a wide range of responses, including sadness, anger, numbness, guilt, anxiety, sleep disruption, changes in appetite, somatic symptoms, and shifts in identity and meaning. Some clients experience grief that becomes prolonged or complicated, particularly when there are traumatic circumstances, multiple losses, limited support systems, or pre-existing mental health difficulties.

This diploma supports practitioners to:

·      Work confidently with different grief trajectories

·      Recognise when grief is becoming complicated or prolonged

·      Apply theory in a clinically useful way

·      Offer interventions that are compassionate, ethical, and culturally sensitive

Learning objectives

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

·      Understand different types and stages of grief, and the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of bereavement

·      Apply key grief theories and models to real-life clinical scenarios

·      Develop practical skills for providing grief support across diverse backgrounds, with a focus on cultural sensitivity

·      Gain insight into working with different populations affected by loss, including children, adults, and older people

·      Identify and intervene in cases of complicated or prolonged grief

·      Strengthen the ability to create a supportive, empathetic environment for individuals experiencing loss

·      Develop a deeper understanding of healing and how to support clients in rebuilding life after grief

What you will cover (weekly outline)

The diploma is structured across ten weeks, combining theory, case material, reflective exercises, and skills practice.

Week 1: Introduction to bereavement, loss & grief

You will explore definitions and distinctions between bereavement, loss, and grief, and examine why grief literacy matters in clinical practice. The week introduces types of loss (including physical and emotional loss), core grief theories (e.g., Kübler-Ross, Bowlby), and how grief is shaped by culture and religion.

Week 2: Psychological and emotional impact of grief

This week focuses on the psychological effects of grief, emotional reactions to loss, and the relationship between grief and mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety. You will consider coping mechanisms and practical tools for supporting psychological wellbeing.

Week 3: The physical manifestation of grief

Grief is not only emotional; it can be profoundly embodied. You will examine fatigue, sleep disruption, stress responses, immune system impacts, and grief-related illness. The week also considers the role of exercise and nutrition as supportive factors.

Week 4: Grief in different populations

Grief can look different across the lifespan and across contexts. This week explores grief in children and adolescents, older adults, gender differences, cultural and religious differences, and grief within families and social groups. You will consider how to tailor support approaches.

Week 5: The grieving process and theories of grief

You will deepen your understanding of grief models, including non-linear approaches, phases versus tasks of grieving, and how grief processes vary between individuals. The week also addresses complicated grief and prolonged grief disorder, and introduces interventions.

Week 6: Supporting those who are grieving

This week is highly practice-focused, exploring the role of the grief counsellor/therapist, listening skills and empathy, techniques for effective grief counselling, and the role of group therapy. Ethical considerations are integrated throughout.

Week 7: Cultural sensitivity and grief

Cultural competence is essential in grief work. You will explore cultural norms and rituals surrounding death, grief and identity, and approaches to working with multicultural clients. Ethical considerations and reflective practice are emphasised.

Week 8: Moving forward — healing after loss

This week explores integration after loss: reconstructing life, creating meaning, and recognising when grief does not subside and additional support is needed. You will also review memorialising, rituals, and grief support resources.

Week 9: Skills practice

A dedicated week for skills development and practice, consolidating learning through applied exercises.

Week 10: Skills practice

A second skills practice week to deepen competence, confidence, and clinical integration.

Fees and enrolment

·      Course fee: €695

·      Enrolment: via the ICPS booking portal

If you would like to join the next intake, you can enrol here: https://www.icps.ie/booking

A supportive, professional learning environment:

Because grief work can be emotionally demanding, the diploma is designed to be both rigorous and supportive. You will learn alongside other professionals, engage with reflective exercises, and build practical tools you can bring directly into your work.

If bereavement, loss, and grief are themes that regularly arise in your practice—or if you want to be better prepared when they do—this diploma offers a structured pathway to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your clinical skill.

For course details and registration, visit: https://www.icps.ie/professional-diploma-bereavement-cpd-counsellors-psychotherapists