Agenda: Saturday Showcase

Conference attendees will have the option of attending the Saturday-only session for a discounted rate. See main institute page for rates.


Morning Session: 9:00 - 12:00

Dr. Ted Rynearson, Founder of the Violent Loss Bereavement Society: Traumatic Grief After Violent Dying

Contemporary research indicates there are differences between the bereavement experiences of individuals grieving non-violent versus violent death losses. In fact, studies suggest that violent death can be particularly challenging for mourners on a variety of levels. Individuals bereaved by homicide, suicide, and fatal accident appear to face distinct challenges physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. The lecture will discuss aspects of poor bereavement outcome in violent death survivors in the form of traumatic grief.


Lunch: 12:00 - 1:00


Panel #1: 1:00 - 2:15

Topic: Immediate and Short-Term Support After Sudden, Violent Death

  • Kim Ruocco, MSW, Chief External Relations Officer
  • Colonel Matthew Woodbery, Chaplain, U.S. Army
  • Dr. Harold C. Dickens, FBI, Office for Victim Assistance
  • Jennifer Garner, FBI, Office of Victim Assistance
  • Sara Pula, PhD, Trinity College, Washington, DC

Panel #2: 2:30 - 3:45

Topic: Living With Loss: Long-Term Support for Survivors   

  • Xanthia Johnson LPC, LCPC, ACS, RPT-S, Urbanplayology
  • Kim Ruocco, LSW,  Kim Ruocco, LSW, Senior Director, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Suicide Postvention Program
  • Colonel Matthew Woodbery, Chaplain, U.S. Army
  • Laura Takacs, Virginia Mason Separation and Loss Services
  • Elizabeth Davis, Survivor, Travis Manion Foundation
  • Dr. Harold C. Dickens, FBI, Office for Victim Assistance

Closing Session: 3:45 - 4:30

Self-Care and Closing Notes from Dr. Rynearson and faculty


Sponsors

GW Graduate School of Education and Human Development

Harrington Consulting & Counseling Services, LLC

Separation and Loss Services – Virginia Mason Hospital

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Travis Manion Foundation

Trinity Washington University, D.C.

Urban Playology

U.S. Army Survivor Outreach Services

Wendt Center for Loss and Healing