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AHPCA: Supporting Children, Youth & Families in the Face of an Advanced Illness
November 22, 2023 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Most people reach out to Jessica Carroll because they want to make sure their children are going to be okay. A life-threatening illness diagnosis is scary for the entire family, and parents want to know:
- How do we tell our kids?
- What should I expect?
- Is this normal?
- How can I support my kids to be happy and healthy through this experience?
If you are a parent who is living with an advanced illness, caring for someone with an advanced illness, or someone who is supporting families through illness, you may benefit from knowing that these questions are valid, and you are not alone. In this presentation, we will talk about anticipatory grief during illness; what this means, and how it impacts the entire family system. We will discuss the unique and complex ways that grief impacts everyone individually, common grief responses children present with, and how you can support your children and family members through the illness trajectory. This presentation will provide an opportunity for you to receive information, connect with the stories of families living with illness, and learn tangible tips that families have found helpful for them in their journey with grief.
Jessica Carroll is a counsellor with Hospice Calgary on the Living with Advanced Illness Centre team. She provides ongoing support to children, youth and their families who are facing any advanced illness, through end of life and bereavement. Jessica completed her Master of Social Work at University of Calgary with a clinical specialization in infant, child and adolescent mental health, providing her with comprehensive knowledge and tools to work with this dynamic population as they navigate their grief journey. She is passionate about meeting clients where they are at, and loves to incorporate art, play, sand tray and body-based interventions into sessions.
