Loss and the resulting grief and bereavement that follow are ever present throughout the life span. Social work professionals need to be equipped, regardless of work settings, to effectively assess and respond to grief and loss issues. This course teaches the knowledge and skills to work with individuals and their families impacted by a loss with a particular focus on death loss. The course presents the current conceptual models of the grief response including meaning reconstruction, continuing bonds, task based, two-track and the dual process. Students will learn how each model guides assessment and practice interventions. Through case examination, experiential activities and audiovisual materials, students will explore evidence based grief interventions. This course addresses the treatment and current controversies of challenging or prolonged bereavement. Cultural, ethnic, religious and spiritual influences on bereavement will be integrated into case discussion. Students will examine ethical issues specific to working with grieving clients and issues of self awareness and self care when working with loss. This course is based on a developmental and strengths perspective of loss, grief and bereavement.