Clinical Grief Therapy Training
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Join the Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota Center for Rural Behavioral Health for a training on clinical grief therapy.
Cost: $115 (early bird price of $105 if registered before October 10)
Earn 6 CEUs!
This training has been approved for 6 CEU's by the Minnesota boards of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Behavioral Health and Therapy, and Psychology as well as licensing boards in SD, ND, and WI. (awaiting approval for all)
Morning Session
9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Brittany Squillace, MA, LMFT
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and describe common types of grief and loss that can be experienced throughout the lifespan.
- Build an understanding and compassion for those grieving any type of loss to better assist clients in labeling their own grief experience.
- Discuss 2-3 contemporary grief models to help guide conversation with grieving clients.
Afternoon Session
12:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Layers of Loss: A Clinical Exporation of Diverse Grief Journeys
Dan Moen, PhD, CFLE, LMFT
Grief is not one-dimensional. While death-related loss is the most recognized, clinicians regularly encounter grief that is hidden, unspoken, or misunderstood. From childhood trauma and cultural disconnection to the loss of health, identity, or future expectations, grief takes many forms that profoundly shape clients’ lives. This workshop invites clinicians to explore the complex layers of grief, broaden their lens beyond bereavement, and strengthen their ability to recognize and respond to diverse grief experiences. Through case examples, reflective exercises, and clinical applications, participants will gain deeper insight into grief’s many expressions and learn strategies to provide compassionate, culturally responsive care.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize multiple forms of grief—including covert, disenfranchised, cultural, and functional losses—that extend beyond bereavement.
- Evaluate how trauma, developmental history, and cultural identity influence grief experiences and expressions.
- Implement practical, relational strategies for supporting clients navigating complex and hidden grief.
Meet Your Trainers:
Brittany Squillace, MA, LMFT is a mental health therapist and founder of Best Self Therapy. Brittany’s mission through Best Self Therapy is to instill hope in grieving adults to change the way they view, talk about, and navigate grief; allowing them to live a better life as their best self. Through her specialty of grief and loss, Brittany guides clients in making meaning of their losses and redefine and maintain their relationship(s) with the deceased. Brittany’s grief specialization also includes guiding clients in healing ambiguous/ living losses (such as the losses experienced through divorce, loss of identity, grieving a loved one who is still physically present but emotionally/mentally absent, loss of job, losses that may come with being a new parent, etc.). Brittany values creating a safe and welcoming space, allowing clients to discover how to continue living as their best selves while honoring your unique grief journey.
Dr. Dan Moen, PhD, CFLE, LMFT, is a Professor in the department of Family Consumer Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he teaches courses in family life, romantic relationships, family policy, and ethics. A licensed marriage and family therapist and certified family life educator, Dr. Moen brings more than 20 years of clinical and teaching experience to his work with individuals, couples, and families. His scholarship includes numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations on family relationships, resilience, and wellbeing, with a particular focus on how families navigate loss, trauma, and transitions. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Moen holds a small private practice with extensive experience in hospital, outpatient, and community settings, where he has worked with grief, trauma, addiction, and family dynamics. Drawing from both clinical practice and research, Dr. Moen brings a relational, compassionate, and evidence-based lens to exploring the many forms of grief and how clinicians can better support clients through loss in its diverse and layered expressions.
Registration Questions: Email workforce@mnsu.edu or call 507-389-1094
Training Questions: Email elizabeth.harstad.3@mnsu.edu
Center for Workforce Professional Education
workforce@mnsu.edu
