Clinical Supervisor Jayne Fidgeon recently delivered a training session at Birmingham City University to give students on the MSc Counselling course an insight into working in a hospice as a counsellor and the concept of anticipatory grief – the experience of grieving before a loss occurs.
They participated in a group exercise to demonstrate the impact that a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness can have on a family unit and the subsequent journey.
They created a fictious family, assigning roles for each member, and then explored the impact of change on the family members. This included looking at the sense of loss that can be experienced prior to death, and the changes in emotions people can experience.
Jayne said: “Although it was a tricky subject there was lots of chatter and even some laughter.
“The students were very keen to learn about the counselling opportunities offered to our patients, families and children as part of hospice care.
“The students shared that they had found the session thought-provoking and informative. They said they hadn’t realised how much the hospice had to offer, including children’s services, and a role as a hospice counsellor is much wider than just grief work.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with Birmingham City University in the future.”
The students learned about the recent introduction of private (fee-paying) counselling services for the wider community, and the opportunities available for private counselling and supervision to students on any counselling course, subject to interview.
The hospice will also be launching a new training session on anticipatory grief this summer.
