“Working in the world of perinatal and maternal mental health is powerful and at times intimidating for all that it can encompass. It is so helpful and meaningful to bring needed attention to the facet of pregnancy loss, grief, and reconciliation. I am grateful for learning new tools, reviewing some I learned before, and learning new resources to further my growth as a provider and to provide even stronger support for my clients.” – Sept 2019 Participant
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss is a training created by Amy Wright Glenn, chaplain & founder of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death. The goal of the training is to compassionately and wisely prepare participants to more confidently and clearly hold space for one of life’s most painful and devastating losses.
Camille Hawkins took Amy’s training in 2015 to further her work as a reproductive & perinatal mental health therapist. When Camille experienced her own daughter’s stillbirth at 31 weeks in 2018, she leaned on the material and moving stories and healing rituals she learned during Amy’s training. Shortly after, Camille reached out to Amy to thank her for the meaningful course years prior and how it positively impacted her grieving journey. Amy then invited Camille to train with her in Florida to teach this course and Camille knew she needed to continue sharing these important messages. Since 2019, Camille has since taught this workshop multiple times in Salt Lake City, virtually, as well as in San Antonio. Her goal is to teach this on a yearly basis. Reach out if you are interested in having Camille to teach this workshop for your staff or community group.
In this training, Camille will guide participants through a heartfelt analysis of three key components central to holding space for grieving parents: 1) The Companioning Model of Grief Support, 2) How to Identify & Strengthen Support Networks, 3) Using Ritual for Grieving and Healing. The course learning objectives will guide participants to:
- Understand the range and nature of pregnancy & infant loss including invisible loss
- Identify compassionate grief models
- Learn helpful, supportive responses and actions to support loss parents
- Understand how pregnancy and infant loss interface with the outside world and how to help loss families navigate their new world
- Learn how societal & cultural beliefs & practices impact loss families
- Learn to support families in identifying healthy practices for healing before, during, and after loss
In addition to the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion for 5 hours of continuing education, a PDF document that includes resources, quotations, and key material from the training, discounted membership to the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death, and access to a Facebook group (with 350+ members) for Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss Past Participants (this will allow you to join conversations, share resources, and network with those who are engaged in this meaningful work).
“The world of pregnancy and infant loss can be so difficult to navigate. This course gave me a road map with different ways to support those going through this journey. Thank you! I was really unsure before and now I have more confidence in the work I do.” -May 2019 Participant
Cost: Registration is $149. There are two partial equity scholarships. Reach out to inquire.
When & Where: Our next training is held Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st 8:30-11:30 am MST virtually through Zoom.
About the Teacher: Camille Hawkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is a leading reproductive and perinatal specialist in Utah. In addition to providing one-on-one therapy, Camille is also involved in community nonprofit work as the founder and prior Executive Director of Utah Infertility Resource Center. She currently serves on the board of Postpartum Support International Utah’s Chapter and the Utah Reproductive Mental Health Network. She volunteered at the Sharing Place, a grief support center for families, and worked on the OB floor of a hospital assisting families at the bedside when they experienced stillbirth or infant death. She has personal experience with grief and loss through infertility, miscarriage, and the stillbirth of her daughter, Everly.
CEUs: This course has been approved to meet the criteria for the 6-hour Advanced Training for Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mental Health Certification. 6 Social Work CEU credits have been applied for through NASW Utah (This course was approved by them in the past but application needs to be reviewed every 2 years). Birth Arts International & DONA International offers 5 CEUs to members who successfully complete this training.
Refund Policy: Please note there are no refunds. If you are not able to make it to the class, you will have access to recordings of the content.
Additional Trainings: this course is a prerequisite for the Advanced Workshop & Provider Retreat held May 20-22. If registering for both, save $49 on the bundle.
“Sitting through this workshop allowed me to learn how to be more confident in my words when helping others that are healing with grief. Also, this will help me be a better supporter for helping anyone going through hard things. I have learned some wonderful tools to hold space for others” –Feb 2020 Participant
If you aren’t sure whether you should take this class, you might consider it if:
- you serve, support, assist, or work with individuals & families during pregnancy and postpartum periods
- you haven’t received dedicated training for encountering and processing pregnancy loss and infant death
- you have done training in this area, but would like some additional perspectives, theories, and materials to support your work and would like to take Camille’s Advanced Provider course
- you want to feel confident assisting families during a time of infertility, pregnancy loss, or infant death
- you believe it could be beneficial to reflect on your own experiences with loss, death, and grief as you work to provide the best care for others who are grieving
- you wish to connect with the compassionate and skilled caregivers in your community to grow your support network
- you are excited to learn about various resources for grief, loss, and bereavement in order to better serve a grieving client, colleague, or friend
To inquire about future dates or to bring Camille to your organization to teach this course, fill out the form below.
camillehawkins.com 