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Education & Training

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF EMPATHY

Imagine University Mission

Children and teens who are grieving are at-risk for poor performance in school, absenteeism, mental health problems, addiction, behavior problems and simply not living life fully and joyfully. Imagine’s vision is to create communities where students who have experienced a painful loss grow up emotionally healthy and able to live up to their unique potential. This is achieved by offering grief education to schools and communities.

About Imagine University

Imagine’s Training and education program talks about the elephant in the room – grief. Our experiential training transforms perspectives on loss and grief, where grief is normalized and feelings are validated, leaving attendees better equipped to show up for their own grief and provide support to others who are grieving.

“Imagine is such a blessing to all those who love and grieve. I cannot say enough about Connie Palmer (Imagine Clinical Training Director) and Imagine’s programs for high school students.”
– Joanne Scarano Jakubik,
School Counselor at Union Catholic High

Let’s Get Grief-Informed!

Grief is the elephant in the room. It comes everywhere with us whether we like it or not. It shows up at school for students and workplaces for grieving adults.

Learn more about ways to help ensure these spaces are receptive and supportive for all those in need.

Schools
Workplaces
Testimonials

Grief Education For Schools

Training school staff and parents on how to support grieving children and youth and providing grief education directly to students.

  • Supporting Peers Coping With Loss
  • Supporting Students Coping With Loss
  • Supporting Children Coping With Loss
  • Grief And Loss Specialist Training
More Information

Trainings For The Workplace

While grief is a necessary and healthy response to loss, the effects of grief can be profound and long lasting, especially if people are not given support while grieving. It is important to be prepared to respond to the effects of loss in the workplace.

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I TURNED TO IMAGINE​

“I turned to Imagine after one small department lost two coworkers within a month’s time. They provided on-site grief support for the team and others across the company. I am grateful for the impact they have with our workforce and the communities we serve.”

Sheila Rostiac, PSEG, Vice President –
Total Rewards & Talent Management
Not Sure Which Type Of Education and Training Is For You?

To find out the best type of education and training for your needs, fill out the education and training interest form or contact us at 908-264-3100 to learn more.

Education & Training Interest Form

Community Workshops

Join our free grief-informed community workshop webinars throughout the year!

Sign Up For Upcoming Training
Upcoming Community Workshop:
Facilitator Training
Feb 18
2022
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
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Aug 21
2022
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Upcoming Community Workshop:
Aug 21, 2022
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
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Continuing Education

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Grief Myth Busters

Take our quiz below and determine if the most popular grief myths are true or false.

Time heals all wounds
Close, but… Contrary to popular belief, time alone does not “heal” grief, it’s what we do with our time that is key. We don’t ever “get over” our grief. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed or can be fixed. Instead, we learn to integrate grief into who we are. Grief changes us and becomes a part of us. This healing process takes time and effort. The more actively you pay attention to and express your grief as it naturally unfolds, the more you are giving yourself momentum toward healing.
You got it! Contrary to popular belief, time alone does not “heal” grief, it’s what we do with our time that is key. We don’t ever “get over” our grief. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed or can be fixed. Instead, we learn to integrate grief into who we are. Grief changes us and becomes a part of us. This healing process takes time and effort. The more actively you pay attention to and express your grief as it naturally unfolds, the more you are giving yourself momentum toward healing.
Grief happens in stages
Close, but… Grief is all the feelings you have after experiencing any type of loss, whether related to death or not. Everyone will have their own feelings of grief and it is not a linear or step-by-step process – grief is messy! When you go through a major loss or death, it changes you - that grief will change and look different over time. We can experience grief bursts many years after the loss, and even re-grieve our loss at different moments in our lives. Your feelings of grief are yours and whatever emotion you have at any point is valid.
You got it! Grief is all the feelings you have after experiencing any type of loss, whether related to death or not. Everyone will have their own feelings of grief and it is not a linear or step-by-step process – grief is messy! When you go through a major loss or death, it changes you - that grief will change and look different over time. We can experience grief bursts many years after the loss, and even re-grieve our loss at different moments in our lives. Your feelings of grief are yours and whatever emotion you have at any point is valid.
You can mourn the death of someone you don’t know
You got it! Mourning is the expression of our feelings of grief. Whether it’s a death of someone famous, someone at your school, home, or work community, or someone in a completely different state or country – you can experience grief and therefore mourn the loss. Your feelings are valid. If that person reminds you in any way, shape or form of someone within your life, you can experience grief, and with that you can mourn the loss.
Close, but… Mourning is the expression of our feelings of grief. Whether it’s a death of someone famous, someone at your school, home, or work community, or someone in a completely different state or country – you can experience grief and therefore mourn the loss. Your feelings are valid. If that person reminds you in any way, shape or form of someone within your life, you can experience grief, and with that you can mourn the loss.
You only have grief after someone dies
Close, but… Any type of loss changes us. Different types of loss include, but not limited to, job loss, pet loss, moving to a new home, immigration, incarceration, war and loss of identity. And with any change, we experience a loss of what we knew and what we were expecting thus resulting in a loss of security and safety. Grief is a normal reaction to any type of loss.
You got it! Any type of loss changes us. Different types of loss include, but not limited to, job loss, pet loss, moving to a new home, immigration, incarceration, war and loss of identity. And with any change, we experience a loss of what we knew and what we were expecting thus resulting in a loss of security and safety. Grief is a normal reaction to any type of loss.
Children don’t grieve
Close, but… If a child is old enough to love, a child is old enough to grieve. Children grieve differently than adults so sometimes it may not look like they are grieving. They go in and out of their grief and mourning – one moment you see them laughing or playing, and the next moment you see them crying, withdrawn or angry. No matter how old the child is, whether they're an infant or a teen or somewhere in between, they will feel a difference within their lives.
You got it! If a child is old enough to love, a child is old enough to grieve. Children grieve differently than adults so sometimes it may not look like they are grieving. They go in and out of their grief and mourning – one moment you see them laughing or playing, and the next moment you see them crying, withdrawn or angry. No matter how old the child is, whether they're an infant or a teen or somewhere in between, they will feel a difference within their lives.
Grief is a normal reaction to a loss
You got it! Grief is two things: painful and normal. It’s a normal reaction after a loss. At Imagine, we say that grief is like the weather because it’s unpredictable, always changing, and we can’t control it. This analogy is helpful for kids to normalize their grief experience. Rabbi Earl A. Grollman, an internationally acclaimed pioneer in the area of family crisis intervention known for his research and writings on death, stated, “Grief is not a disease, a disorder, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity.”
Close, but… Grief is two things: painful and normal. It’s a normal reaction after a loss. At Imagine, we say that grief is like the weather because it’s unpredictable, always changing, and we can’t control it. This analogy is helpful for kids to normalize their grief experience. Rabbi Earl A. Grollman, an internationally acclaimed pioneer in the area of family crisis intervention known for his research and writings on death, stated, “Grief is not a disease, a disorder, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity.”
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Visit our Community Webinars page to signup for our next learning session! 

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Testimonials & Shoutouts!

Cannot Say Enough

“Imagine is such a blessing to all those who love and grieve. I cannot say enough about Connie Palmer (Imagine Clinical Training Director) and Imagine’s programs for high school students.”

Joanne Scarano Jakubik
School Counselor at Union Catholic High
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