Narrative Power: Finding Words for Living, Dying, Death and Bereavement
A special presentation for Hospice Professionals, Clergy, Therapists/Counselors, Volunteers, Companions, Death Doulas, Death Care Professionals, including Funeral Directors, Leadership and Administrative Professionals, Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Victim’s Advocates.
If something is unmentionable, it can also be unmanageable (folk wisdom). Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced (Baldwin)
When losses occur, words are sought…sometimes found…sometimes offered. Drawing on bibliotherapeutic and narrative therapy principles, perspectives and tools for narrative power will be presented, demonstrated and discussed. Narrative is not just about having people tell their stories. Narrative is interested in power – who has the power to speak stories into existence. Voices of grievers and the bereft , thereby, are heard and validated.
Using metaphor and related prompts, participants will be invited to consider using stories as prompts for words that foster grieving and healing.
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Grief Endings and New Beginnings: Attention to Each and Both
A special educational presentation for anyone who is grieving or supporting a griever.
Through our lives we meet many changes carrying with them an ending that always leads to creating a new beginning. When the loss of a loved one is one of those intersections that disrupts our lives and necessitates change, we may struggle with the new labels we are given such as widow, grieving grandparent, or survivor. We are challenged by uncertainty. Plans, assumptions, long-held hopes and dreams may be shattered. In this session, we will explore the resiliency we acquire that can bring us through our evolving lives. The more we are aware of our losses and our gains, the more prepared we can be for the uncertainty of the future and our story of who we are becoming because of our loss.
To view the recording of this presentation, Click Here!
To view the slides from this presentation, Click Here!
About the Presenter:
Ted Bowman is an educator, author and consultant who specializes in change and transition, whether it occurs in families, an organization, or the community. His emphasis is on aiding people in utilizing their strengths and the resources of others in facing change and transition. Ted specializes in grief and loss, resiliency promotion, and honest hope and as a bibliotherapist draws on stories in fiction, poetry, memoir, song lyrics, etc. to prompt words and stories of loss and well-being.
Former teacher, author, trainer, consultant and speaker, he is also the father and stepfather of four children, and a grandfather of five “grand” children, four alive, one dead but alive in memory and love. His wife, Marge, died in July 2020. Their rich marriage of 41 years reminds of the gift of their love, even as he also grieves her death.
