This special clinical training, co-sponsored by NPSI and the Alliance, is being offered to local mental health clinicians who have expressed an interest in offering pro bono psychotherapy services to hospital healthcare providers. Laura Takacs, LICSW, MPH, Clinical Director of Virginia Mason Grief Services, will present a short-term, five-session psychotherapy model to help psychotherapists work with frontline healthcare workers in local hospitals who are dealing with trauma and loss on a daily basis. Laura's model is adapted from one developed by Edward K. (Ted) Rynearson, MD, Medical Director of Grief Services at Virginia Mason, who has worked locally, nationally and internationally with survivors of traumatic death since the 1980's. 

During the workshop, participants will learn about the two styles of grief as well as techniques to help local hospital workers including nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists, ER physicians, and others to manage the high levels of anxiety and grief associated with their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The workshop will include an overview of trauma responses as well as specific strategies for therapists to use in their work with healthcare providers. In addition, there will be an opportunity for questions as well as a list of local resources to which participants can offer their short-term psychotherapy services at the end of the workshop.