Association for Death Education and Counseling

02/16/2026

: Only one day left! Join ADEC live tomorrow on February 17, 2026 for Mental images in grief and using Imagery Rescripting for Individuals with Prolonged Grief Disorder presentted by Franziska Lechner-Meichsner, PhD.

Tuesday, February 17th, at 1:00 pm ET/ 12:00 pm CT/ 10:00 am PT. This recorded webinar will remain available for 3 years from the date of the live taping; expires on February 17, 2029.

$70 for Non-Members
$45 for Members
CEU: 1.5

For more information please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18390966

Description:
Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) has received increasing attention as a treatment for disorders associated with aversive memories or images. Many individuals who experience a persistent and impairing form of grief, referred to as prolonged grief disorder (PGD), also experience images related to the deceased or the death. Given its focus on addressing aversive images, ImRs may be a promising addition to grief therapy targeting PGD. This webinar highlights the role of mental images in PGD and outlines how ImRs can be applied to target different themes in PGD, including unsatisfactory goodbyes, unfinished business, unfulfillable responsibilities, guilt, and self-blame.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize which mental images are associated with severity of PGD symptoms.
Describe ImRs and its rationale for using ImRs in the treatment of PGD.
Identify themes in PGD that can be targeted with ImRs.
About the Presenter:

Franziska Lechner-Meichsner
Prof. Dr. Franziska Lechner-Meichsner is a full professor for Clinical-psychological Intervention at the University of Wuppertal (Germany) and affiliated with Utrecht University (the Netherlands). She previously held positions at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany), was a visiting research scientist at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief, and served as Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University.

Her research centers on loss- and trauma-related disorders, with a particular focus on the treatment of prolonged grief disorder, imagery rescripting, culturally-sensitive interventions, and identifying processes that make treatments work. She has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on these topics in international collaborations. Franziska Lechner-Meichsner is also a licensed cognitive-behavioral therapist with a specialization in psychotraumatology, a member of the Bereavement Network Europe, and has a strong ambition to bring research findings into clinical practice.

02/15/2026

: The Students and New Professionals Committee is looking for items to be donated for the Silent Auction at the 50th Annual ADEC Conference in Baltimore, MD from March 4-7, 2026.

If you are willing to donate items, please use this link for the Committee to keep track of items being donated and to contact you: https://forms.gle/DCnyw6bCrdYS2eQu6

*Please note, the deadline to donate items is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 AT 11:59 EST .

As a reminder: The Silent Auction donations typically feature thanatology-related items and may include textbooks (autographed items are always sought after!), manuals, poetry, artwork, photography, sculptures, notecards, jewelry, registration for a CEU workshop, webinar or certificate course, and sport, concert, or entertainment event tickets. Unsure of whether your item is appropriate? Send us an email at sanp@adec.org to inquire!

Proceeds from the 2026 Silent Auction will directly benefit the Students and New Professional Committee's Conference Scholarship Fund. This fund is used to provide ADEC's students and new professional members with the opportunity to participate in our annual conference. We appreciate your generosity and support for the future leaders of ADEC!

02/10/2026

: Only one week away, join ADEC live on February 17, 2026 for Mental images in grief and using Imagery Rescripting for Individuals with Prolonged Grief Disorder presentted by Franziska Lechner-Meichsner, PhD.

Tuesday, February 17th, at 1:00 pm ET/ 12:00 pm CT/ 10:00 am PT. This recorded webinar will remain available for 3 years from the date of the live taping; expires on February 17, 2029.

$70 for Non-Members
$45 for Members
CEU: 1.5

For more information please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18390966

Description:
Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) has received increasing attention as a treatment for disorders associated with aversive memories or images. Many individuals who experience a persistent and impairing form of grief, referred to as prolonged grief disorder (PGD), also experience images related to the deceased or the death. Given its focus on addressing aversive images, ImRs may be a promising addition to grief therapy targeting PGD. This webinar highlights the role of mental images in PGD and outlines how ImRs can be applied to target different themes in PGD, including unsatisfactory goodbyes, unfinished business, unfulfillable responsibilities, guilt, and self-blame.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize which mental images are associated with severity of PGD symptoms.
Describe ImRs and its rationale for using ImRs in the treatment of PGD.
Identify themes in PGD that can be targeted with ImRs.
About the Presenter:

Franziska Lechner-Meichsner
Prof. Dr. Franziska Lechner-Meichsner is a full professor for Clinical-psychological Intervention at the University of Wuppertal (Germany) and affiliated with Utrecht University (the Netherlands). She previously held positions at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany), was a visiting research scientist at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief, and served as Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University.

Her research centers on loss- and trauma-related disorders, with a particular focus on the treatment of prolonged grief disorder, imagery rescripting, culturally-sensitive interventions, and identifying processes that make treatments work. She has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on these topics in international collaborations. Franziska Lechner-Meichsner is also a licensed cognitive-behavioral therapist with a specialization in psychotraumatology, a member of the Bereavement Network Europe, and has a strong ambition to bring research findings into clinical practice.

02/09/2026

: Join us on March 4th to the 7th, 2026 for the 47th Annual ADEC Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. To register for the Annual ADEC Conference and hotel accommodations please visit this link https://www.adec.org/page/2026-Hotel-and-Travel

If you are professionally or personally interested in death, dying, thanatology and end-of-life issues, you won't want to miss this gathering of internationally renowned speakers, authors and attendees who share your passion.

The annual ADEC conference offers numerous educational and professional development opportunities and time to interact with fellow grief counselors, chaplains, psychologists, social workers, death doulas, medical and hospice professionals, funeral directors and others who make up the thanatology community.

ADEC offers a selection of Specialty Workshops on a variety of topics related to the field of thanatology. These specially designed courses provide an in-depth look at the topics and issues of greatest importance in grief and bereavement.

Specialty Workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th (in-person only) before the main conference, Thursday, March 5th through Saturday, March 7th.

To register for this Specialty Workshops at the 47th Annual ADEC Conference please visit: https://www.adec.org/page/2026SpecialtyWorkshops

For 2026, these workshops will be presented in person, only.ADEC reserves the right to cancel any specialty workshop that does not attain minimum registration numbers. Registrants in a cancelled course will be informed and given the option to choose another session or receive a refund.

1. Full Day Workshop, 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
2. Half Day Workshop - Morning, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM
3. Half Day Workshop - Afternoon, 1:30 PM - 4:45 PM

ADEC's 2026 Conference Pre-Conference Specialty Workshops are In-Person Only on March 4, 2026

ADEC offers a selection of Specialty Workshops on a variety of topics related to the field of thanatology. These specially designed courses provide an in-depth look at the topics and issues of greatest importance in grief and bereavement.

Half Day AM: 9:00am - 12:15pm ET
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, In-Person Only

BeFriending Grief: Re-Membering, Ritual, and Conjuring Our Way to Resurrection (Optional 3 CEs)

Grief is more than sorrow—it is a portal. This workshop reframes grief as a sacred companion and creative threshold through which individuals and communities may re-imagine, re-create, and conjure aliveness after rupture. Drawing from process theology, African and Indigenous ritual teachings, and contemporary grief theory, participants will explore grief at micro (personal), mezzo (communal), and macro (institutional) levels. Through embodied practice, ritual, and dialogue, participants will learn to befriend grief as a guide toward transformation. Attendees will leave with tools for cultivating resilience, justice, and life-affirming futures (new worlds) through grief’s generative power. Presentation Level: Intermediate.

Learning Objectives:

Reframe grief as a dynamic portal of change (resonant with Butler’s “God is Change”) and identify how this reframing opens possibilities for re-imagining, re-creation, and conjuring aliveness.
Demonstrate at least two embodied or ritual practices (influenced by African and Indigenous teachings, process theology, and grief scholarship) for befriending grief at personal and communal levels.
Apply the Re-Membering Process® to assess and support grief at micro, mezzo, and macro levels, integrating justice-centered and trauma-informed approaches into professional practice.
Evaluate how befriended grief can catalyze justice, resilience, and life-affirming futures in communities and systems.
About the Presenter:

Jamie Eaddy
Jamie Eaddy, DMin, FT is a thanatologist and pastoral theologian whose work integrates process theology, ritual, and justice-centered care. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where her research centered on grief and liberative pastoral practice. She now serves as Director of Counseling & Wellness Services at the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, developing grief-informed, trauma-responsive programs for survivors of violence and their families. She is also the founder of Thoughtful Transitions and The Ratchet Grief Project®, initiatives that train death doulas, grief companions, clergy, and clinicians to accompany dying and grieving persons with cultural humility and liberative practices.

Dr. Eaddy is a Fellow in Thanatology (ADEC) with more than twenty years of experience in pastoral care, clinical support, and community education. Her forthcoming book, Re-Membering the Self: A Womanist Guide to Grief Care (WIPF & Stock 2026), explores grief as sacred and transformative. She has presented nationally and internationally on grief, trauma, spirituality, and community healing, and her frameworks—including the Re-Membering Process® and Sacred Care as Liberative Praxis—are used in classrooms, congregations, and grassroots settings.

Her work is rooted in the conviction that grief, when befriended, becomes a portal to re-imagining, re-creation, resilience, and the conjuring of life-affirming futures.

02/08/2026

: Early bird registration ends tomorrow! Don't miss out on the 47th annual ADEC conference where 50 years of Thanantology will be celebrated this year! Meet up in Baltimore, Maryland from March 4th to the 7th.

Please use this link for more information on the conference: https://www.adec.org/page/2026_Conference_Main

02/07/2026

: International End of Life Doula Association/INELDA’s special (online) presentation featuring author Darnell Lamont Walker is happening later this month…

On February 25th, INELDA will be joined by end-of-life doula, author, and children's media writer Darnell Lamont Walker for a special webinar on the Magic of Storytelling in Death Work.

Storytelling is one of the oldest ways of meaning-making. As deathcare workers, when we are present with the people we support, we begin to witness their stories emerging. We witness their joys, proud moments, regrets and confessions. These stories can help us understand ourselves and our mortality at the end of life. In this webinar, we will explore the ways he has supported the dying through accepting presence, listening, and allowing for the emergence of stories and storytelling in that space.

*Please bring a writing instrument and journal to this webinar

Follow link to register:
https://inelda.org/.../the-magic-of-storytelling-in-death-work

*All INELDA webinars are recorded and a streaming link emailed afterwards to all those who register in advance.

02/05/2026

: For , ADEC is taking a look back at moments from past Conferences. This reminds us why this community is so special. From meaningful conversations to powerful learning and shared connection, these gatherings continue to shape how we support one another in death education, grief, and counseling.

We’re grateful for every member who has been part of the journey—and excited for what’s ahead! Share some of your favorite memories from past conferences in the comments below! Who can post a picture from one of the first conferences?

Please use this link for more information about the 47th annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland from March 4th to the 7th: https://www.adec.org/page/2026_Conference_Main

02/04/2026

: As always, some fantastic griefy tips from Litsa and Eleanor at What's Your Grief -- thoughtful and practical resources for grieving folks and those who support them. For more tips, articles, workshops and inspiration, including their What's Your Grief: Lists to Help You Through Any Loss book, visit them online at: www.whatsyourgrief.com

02/04/2026

: Joing ADEC live on February 17, 2026 for Mental images in grief and using Imagery Rescripting for Individuals with Prolonged Grief Disorder presentted by Franziska Lechner-Meichsner, PhD.

Tuesday, February 17th, at 1:00 pm ET/ 12:00 pm CT/ 10:00 am PT. This recorded webinar will remain available for 3 years from the date of the live taping; expires on February 17, 2029.

$70 for Non-Members
$45 for Members
CEU: 1.5

For more information please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18390966

Description:
Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) has received increasing attention as a treatment for disorders associated with aversive memories or images. Many individuals who experience a persistent and impairing form of grief, referred to as prolonged grief disorder (PGD), also experience images related to the deceased or the death. Given its focus on addressing aversive images, ImRs may be a promising addition to grief therapy targeting PGD. This webinar highlights the role of mental images in PGD and outlines how ImRs can be applied to target different themes in PGD, including unsatisfactory goodbyes, unfinished business, unfulfillable responsibilities, guilt, and self-blame.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize which mental images are associated with severity of PGD symptoms.
Describe ImRs and its rationale for using ImRs in the treatment of PGD.
Identify themes in PGD that can be targeted with ImRs.
About the Presenter:

Franziska Lechner-Meichsner
Prof. Dr. Franziska Lechner-Meichsner is a full professor for Clinical-psychological Intervention at the University of Wuppertal (Germany) and affiliated with Utrecht University (the Netherlands). She previously held positions at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany), was a visiting research scientist at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief, and served as Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University.

Her research centers on loss- and trauma-related disorders, with a particular focus on the treatment of prolonged grief disorder, imagery rescripting, culturally-sensitive interventions, and identifying processes that make treatments work. She has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on these topics in international collaborations. Franziska Lechner-Meichsner is also a licensed cognitive-behavioral therapist with a specialization in psychotraumatology, a member of the Bereavement Network Europe, and has a strong ambition to bring research findings into clinical practice.

02/03/2026

: Join us on March 4th to the 7th, 2026 for the 47th Annual ADEC Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. To register for the Annual ADEC Conference and hotel accommodations please visit this link https://www.adec.org/page/2026-Hotel-and-Travel

If you are professionally or personally interested in death, dying, thanatology and end-of-life issues, you won't want to miss this gathering of internationally renowned speakers, authors and attendees who share your passion.

The annual ADEC conference offers numerous educational and professional development opportunities and time to interact with fellow grief counselors, chaplains, psychologists, social workers, death doulas, medical and hospice professionals, funeral directors and others who make up the thanatology community.

ADEC offers a selection of Specialty Workshops on a variety of topics related to the field of thanatology. These specially designed courses provide an in-depth look at the topics and issues of greatest importance in grief and bereavement.

Specialty Workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th (in-person only) before the main conference, Thursday, March 5th through Saturday, March 7th.

To register for this Specialty Workshops at the 47th Annual ADEC Conference please visit: https://www.adec.org/page/2026SpecialtyWorkshops

For 2026, these workshops will be presented in person, only.ADEC reserves the right to cancel any specialty workshop that does not attain minimum registration numbers. Registrants in a cancelled course will be informed and given the option to choose another session or receive a refund.

1. Full Day Workshop, 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
2. Half Day Workshop - Morning, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM
3. Half Day Workshop - Afternoon, 1:30 PM - 4:45 PM

ADEC's 2026 Conference Pre-Conference Specialty Workshops are In-Person Only on March 4, 2026

ADEC offers a selection of Specialty Workshops on a variety of topics related to the field of thanatology. These specially designed courses provide an in-depth look at the topics and issues of greatest importance in grief and bereavement.

Full Day: 9:00am - 4:45pm ET
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 In-Person Only

Working with Trauma & Loss (Optional 6 CEs)

This pre-conference workshop will present material relevant for working with bereaved clients and for clients who are traumatized. The learning objectives include understanding issues pertaining to trauma and loss, applying such information to cases, and identifying when a referral is necessary. Templates for examining cases in terms of trauma and loss will be developed. Issues central to making referrals when cases exceed counselor skills will be examined. Participants are encouraged to bring information about one or more cases to discuss in both small groups and with all the members of the workshop. Presentation Level: Intermediate.

Learning Objectives:

To identify indicators of loss and indicators of trauma in clients.
To apply material, including appropriate interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
To assess when referring a traumatized client is necessary.
About the Presenters:

David Balk
David E. Balk, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Brooklyn College, has examined adolescent bereavement over sibling death as well as bereavement and college students. His publications include Helping the Bereaved College Student (Springer Publishing, 2011), Dealing with Dying, Death, and Grief during Adolescence (Routledge, 2014), the first two editions of Handbook of Thanatology (Routledge, 2007 and 2013), Living, Dying, Death, and Bereavement: Conversations with Thanatologists (Cambridge Scholars, 2020), and A Professional’s Guide to Understanding Trauma and Loss (Cambridge Scholars, 2023). ADEC honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

Janet Balk
Janet R. Balk, MS, is Director of Ft. Riley Military Academic Programs for Barton Community College. She has developed and taught college courses on Death and Dying, and the Psychology of Serial Killers and Violent Crime, as well as American History and Western Civilization. For Brooklyn College, she developed and taught an online version of a general education course titled “Human Encounters with Death and Bereavement.” Her publications include two entries in the 2009 Sage publication Encyclopedia of Death & the Human Experience. She is co-editor of A Professional’s Guide to Understanding Trauma and Loss. Barton Community College recognized her in 2022 with its Distinguished Instructor Award.

Debra Oryzysyn
Debra Oryzysyn, MA, is a bereavement counselor who works for VNS Health Hospice Care of New York City. She also is an Adjunct Lecturer at Brooklyn College where she teaches such courses as Human Encounters with Death & Bereavement, Trauma and Traumatic Grief, Bereavement, Thanatological Counseling, and Health Counseling. Prior to her work for VNS, she was program manager and sign language interpreter in St. Vincent’s Hospital Program for Services to Deaf Patients. She has contributed several book reviews to Death Studies.

02/02/2026

: Join ADEC in celebrating 50 years! If you are professionally or personally interested in death, dying, thanatology and end-of-life issues, you won't want to miss this gathering of internationally renowned speakers, authors and attendees who share your passion.

The annual ADEC conference offers numerous educational and professional development opportunities and time to interact with fellow grief counselors, chaplains, psychologists, social workers, death doulas, medical and hospice professionals, funeral directors and others who make up the thanatology community.

To register for the Annual ADEC Conference and hotel accommodations please visit this link: https://www.adec.org/page/2026_Conference_Main