As the aftermath of COVID-19 continues to linger, many are left with unresolved grief and trauma. To help navigate these complex emotions, counselors and professionals need relevant knowledge and insights to equip them. The book,
Grief and Trauma Counseling Education: Preparing Future Counselors (ISBN: 9798369313756) edited by Michelle R. Cox, emerges as a valuable resource for anyone looking for expert knowledge on how to cope with feelings of grief and trauma. Editor, Dr. Cox, with a background in counseling and education, answers our questions regarding the value and importance of her publication. See her discussion below.
Dr. Michelle R. Cox Answers Our Questions
What is the purpose of the book?
Dr. Cox: The purpose of the book is to prepare current and future counselors for working with clients who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in trauma as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who would benefit from the book?Dr. Cox: Future counselors, practicing counselors, grief counselors, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other clinicians would benefit from this book as it would better prepare them to work with clients who are suffering from trauma as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What motivated you to write this book?
Dr. Cox: My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020 and he died during the pandemic. I suffered from trauma as a result of lack of care during his treatment as well a COVID-19 restricted funeral service. I recognized as a counselor educator that many other people experienced similar traumatic events, which would impact how counselors provide services to this unique population.
What are some highlights of the book?
Dr. Cox: The book contains diverse perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health field. Examples of chapters in the book are anticipatory grief, death anxiety, the wrong words to say to the bereaved, grief counseling for children, assisting teachers with grieving students, the role of the caregiver, peer support, self care for grief counselors and caregivers, and my own personal story about my grief journey and the support system that I leaned on.
Why is it important for clinicians to read this book?
Dr. Cox: Mental health evolves as clients respond to contemporary issues. No one expected that the COVID-19 pandemic would cause such devastating psychological damage for those who suffer from losses during the worldwide crisis. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health professionals must pivot and recognize that grief counseling may be different for clients who suffered from trauma that mental health professionals may not have been prepared for. For example, some family members may not have been given the opportunity to be by the side of their loved ones as they succumbed to illness as a result of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in hospitals. This absence may cause long-term or abnormal grief for family members and/or loved ones. Adoption of this book in counselor related graduate or undergraduate programs would better prepare future clinicians to work with clients who experienced trauma as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
About the Editor
Michelle R. Cox PhD, has been teaching in APU’s School Counseling and School Psychology program since 2003, and has several years of experience as an educational counselor. She was an associate counselor for Victor Valley College for 16 years, and prior to that was the first CalWorks Counselor at Chaffey College, assisting in the development of the Workforce Preparation program in which she provided educational and vocational counseling and educational planning to students receiving CalWorks assistance. She was a part-time instructor for the University of La Verne, teaching in the Educational Counseling program. Cox also has 9 years of experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, helping clients who have suffered injuries and require services to return to suitable and gainful employment. She established her own career counseling service, providing job-seeking skills to clients, as well as assistance in the completion of professional résumés. Cox is active in the community, having served as a member and president of the Adelanto School District Board of Education, School Site Council member for Morgan Kincaid Preparatory School, Snowline Joint Unified School District Multicultural Committee member, and substitute teacher for several school districts. Her research focuses on cultural issues related to schooling, and systemic oppression experienced by Black American students.