DATE: Monday, May 12, 1997                  TAG: 9705120079

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Staff writer Debbie Markham contributed to this report.

LENGTH: 44 lines

HAMPTON ROADS PORTSMOUTH

Expert will offer

caregivers help

with handling grief

Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a clinical thanatologist of international reputation, will present a workshop Wednesday to help professional caregivers who want to develop bereavement knowledge and skills.

The session will be Wednesday at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Building 215's auditorium.

The workshop, ``Death, Grief and Mourning: An Interdisciplinary Conference for Caregivers,'' is open to physicians, residents, interns, nurses, social workers, military chaplains, counselors, clergy, discharge planners, case managers and all other caregivers who work with those in grief.

Topics being covered include acknowledging the importance of grief/loss counseling, understanding a grief model, clinical interventions, special features of sudden violent death, introduction to complicated mourning, and exploring the impact of multiple deaths bereavement overload.

Wolfelt has been a guest on ``Oprah,'' ``Larry King Live'' and other TV shows, and counselor to O.J. Simpson's children during his criminal trial. He is director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition located in Fort Collins, Colo., and Toronto, Ontario.

For more information and to pre-register, call 398-5550.

COMING UP

TODAY

Virginia Beach - A public forum on ``Youth Stereotypes'' to discuss what it's like for the youth of the community and ideas on how to get along better will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Tallwood High School Auditorium, 1668 Kempsville Road. It is free and open to the public.

TUESDAY

Portsmouth - The Portsmouth Social Services Advisory Commission will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. in the Ida Barbour Rental Office to hear comments regarding social services. Call 398-3600 for more information.

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