Tamarack Grief Resource Center’s 17th annual Grief Institute will be held March 8th through 12th as a live, virtual event. This year’s week-long conference will feature internationally renowned speaker and educator Dr. J. Eric Gentry. The conference will be informed by research and clinical experience.
J. Eric Gentry, PhD, LMHC, DAAETS, FAAETSF is an internationally recognized leader in the study and treatment of traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. His Ph.D. is from Florida State University where he studied with Professor Charles Figley, a pioneer of these two fields. In 1997, he co-developed the Accelerated Recovery Program (ARP) for Compassion Fatigue and in 1998 he introduced the Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist Training and Compassion Fatigue Prevention & Resiliency Training. He has written numerous books, chapters, papers, and peer-reviewed journal articles in the areas of traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.
Dr. Gentry was original the faculty, curriculum designer and Associate Director of the Traumatology Institute at Florida State University. In 2001, he became the co-director and moved this institute to the University of South Florida where it became the International Traumatology Institute. In 2010, he began the International Association of Trauma Professionals—a training and certification body—for which he was the vice-president.
Dr. Gentry is a Master Traumatologist with over 35 years of clinical experience with trauma, Complex PTSD, personality disorders, and dissociation. He has trained over 100,000 health professionals over the past 20 years. He is the current President and CEO of The Forward-Facing Institute and owner of Compassion Unlimited – a private psychotherapy, training, and consulting practice in Phoenix, AZ.
“Dr. Gentry is not only brilliant, he is a joy to be with,” said Dr. Tina Barrett, Tamarack Grief Resource Center’s Executive Director. “Montanans care about grief and about supporting one another well. What a gift to train with friends and colleagues from all over the state with this remarkable, compassionate, humble author and clinician.”
Grief & Trauma Competency: Facing Forward seminar for professionals will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12 from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. This two-day workshop will look at defining and treating traumatic stress to help individuals resolve the effects of their painful past. In an experiential, skills-building workshop specifically designed for care providers who sit daily with trauma survivors, Dr. Gentry will provide tangible skills and strategies for helping grief and trauma survivors to stabilize and utilize skills for self-regulation. After completing the two-day training, attendees may be eligible to apply to become a Certified (Clinical) Trauma Professional. Registration is required and is $200 for both days with CE credits. Register at https://www.tamarackgrc.org/grief-institute-2021 or call (406) 541-8472.
A free, public Community Workshop “Grief in Montana: Let’s Talk About It” is offered Wednesday, March 10th from 5 to 6 p.m. Focusing on community connection, this workshop is offered in collaboration with Grief Institute sponsors and partners. In the hour-long networking roundtable, participants will break into small group discussions to share challenges, solutions, highlights, and expand and deepen our network of care. The workshop is geared toward community care providers. Registration is required. Register at https://www.tamarackgrc.org/grief-institute-2021 or call (406) 541-8472.
The 17th annual TGRC Grief Institute 2021 is presented in collaboration with: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – Zero Suicide, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Blackfeet Community College, Community Medical Center, Partners in Home Care, Inc., Project Tomorrow Montana, Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Walla Walla University School of Social Work and Winds of Change.
Tamarack Grief Resource Center was founded in 2008 and is the region’s only nonprofit organization providing comprehensive, year-round grief support and education to over 6,000 children, teens, adults, and families each year. Programs include multi-day bereavement camps and retreats, support groups, workshops, professional training, grief consultations, and counseling. For more information about Tamarack Grief Resource Center, visit https://www.tamarackgrc.org/ or call (406) 541-8472.
Photo of Dr. J. Eric Gentry
