Death, Grief, and Loss: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, Educators, Counsellors, and Other Helpers to Talk about Difficult Topics

Dallas Shirley

May 2017 · FriesenPress

About this ebook

WOODLAND WISDOM BOOKS were created to support parents, caregivers, educators, counsellors, and other helpers in the community to navigate difficult subjects with children. As a Children’s Counsellor, I am often asked, “How do I talk to a child about (insert difficult subject here)?” I wanted to provide resources that talk about the issue the child is going through in honest age-appropriate language that also guides the reader on how to help the child process their thoughts and feelings in a healthy way.

Working in non-profit agencies, I recognize resources are not always available to fund enough staff to meet the need in the community. I wanted to create resources that will be helpful to children who are on waitlists to receive counselling services. My hope is that these books will also reach children who may never end up attending counselling.

Woodland Wisdom Books start with a guide for the readers then the story begins. The characters of Woodland Woods tell tales of struggles, triumphs, and wisdom. The books end with exercises providing further ideas for healthy ways to deal with difficult issues.

About the author

Dallas is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and provides Children's Counselling and Family Counselling for non-profit organizations. She then completed training in grief and loss with the Living Through Loss Society. Afterwards, she completed a certificate in Expressive Play Therapy through the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Dallas is also dedicated to attending professional development whenever possible as the field of counselling is always changing with new learning to be had.

Dallas is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who provides Children’s Counselling and Family Counselling for non-profit organizations. She completed training in grief and loss. Afterwards, she completed a certificate in Expressive Play Therapy.

Dallas was fortunate to volunteer with a children’s hospice for 10 years. Through this role, she was able to provide bereavement support to families. Dallas created the program for and facilitated the very first “Youth Bereavement Group” at the hospice. Other groups that Dallas has co-facilitated, have been:
* “Superflex” for children dealing with executive functioning difficulties
* “Children of Greatness” for children dealing with feelings of depression and anxiety
* “Children Who Witness Abuse”
* “Children In Between” for children dealing with divorce and separation
* “Freedom from Abuse in Relationships” for adults
* “Connect Parent Group” for adults

Dallas is passionate and dedicated to making the world a better place and she believes that if children are provided with healthy ways to express their thoughts and feelings this could make a big impact on the future of our world.