A Practice Analysis of Grief Counselors

This study examined the work behaviors of individuals with graduate degrees who provide clinical services to terminally ill individuals, family members, and the bereaved. An instrument was developed to assess the frequency and importance of work behaviors of individuals working with dying individuals and their families. Participants were randomly chosen from graduate level practitioners belonging to a preeminent organization in death and dying, 177 participants returned the survey. Factor analysis and MANOVA were used to examine the data. The results suggest a five-factor model of clinical thanatology; general counseling, grief counseling, counseling children, hospice counseling, and professional activities. There were no significant differences on most of the factors for any of the independent variables, with the exception of funeral directors. Implications for training and certification examinations for clinical thanatologists are discussed. This information also may be useful to inform developing certification processes, and in the creation of supporting training programs needed to address the special knowledge areas identified in this study. (Contains 2 tables.)