Restorative Retelling Grief Support Facilitator Group D (Virtual Session)

 

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

In 2021, the Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) launched the first ever Murder-Suicide Response Network as part of its Support for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Project (SSMS) which consists of trained mental health clinicians across Georgia that received specialized training in the Restorative Retelling Model of support group therapy for survivors of murder-suicide in Georgia. 

Now, GCFV is preparing to both expand our network and also allow for additional licensed clinicians to receive this training for the purpose of providing support to domestic violence homicide survivors. 

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

Sadly, Georgia often ranks in the top ten states for the rate at which men murder women. Most often those homicides occur at the hands of current or former intimate partners. There were more than 1,500 family violence-related fatalities in Georgia between 2011 and 2020, 35% of which resulted from murder-suicide incidents. A family violence murder-suicide occurs when a person kills one or more victims, including a current or former intimate partner, then dies by suicide. Each of these incidents leaves behind numerous family members and friends, referred to by the Project as “survivors of murder suicide” (survivors). Murder-suicides often shatter the equilibrium of survivors’ lives. Losing a loved one, particularly in a sudden and violent manner can be traumatic and for many, losing two loved ones at the same time in such a manner can exacerbate and complicate the grieving process. What’s more, few resources are available to support these survivors and traditional grief counseling is often inadequate when working with clients facing the complications of a violent death.

The Project is seeking 24 clinicians interested in either joining a murder-suicide survivor response network (the network) to address the unmet needs of this underserved population, or to provide services to survivors of domestic violence homicide. Ideal candidates for the training will possess familiarity with the complexities of family violence, will be licensed clinicians, and will represent diverse geographic regions of Georgia. 

Clinicians joining the murder-suicide response network will be part of a groundbreaking cohort, as Georgia’s effort to support family violence murder-suicide survivors in this capacity is the first of its type, nationwide. The primary goals of the network are to provide increased access for survivors to trained clinicians, and to connect survivors to each other so as to minimize post-incident isolation during the grieving process.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Restorative Retelling (RR) model has been used by professionals across the nation in their individual, family, and group work. The likelihood of a client coming to you with the complication of a violent death homicide in their symptom cluster, is increasing. Traditional grief counseling is often inadequate when working with this complex issue. RR is a therapy model that fosters clients’ innate resilience to counterbalance trauma.

RR is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to “significantly decrease symptoms” comparing pre and post measures. While RR has been provided for all violent losses; this course is designed specifically to apply the model for those working with survivors of violent loss to family violence murder-suicide and homicide.

Clinicians interested in completing the training must complete an application. Upon acceptance, the RR training will be offered one of two opportunities to complete the training. The following two group training options are planned (additional specifics TBD):

• Group D (Virtual Session): 1:30 -3:30 PM EST on Fridays, September 30, 2022 thru December 9, 2022 (Exact dates: 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9)
• Group E (Virtual Session): 1:30 -3:30 PM EST on Fridays, January 27, 2023 thru March 24, 2023 (Exact dates: 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24)

Completion of all sessions of your selected group training is mandatory to obtain the RR certification and to get CE credit for the training. 

Clinicians selected will also be required to attend a one-hour virtual training on the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program (CVCP) on a date TBD. The CVCP training was created specifically for clinicians participating in this project and will cover everything you need to know in order to bill for survivor contacts (and all victims/witnesses of crime) directly through CVCP in the future.

Clinicians selected to participate in the RR training will receive a scholarship covering the cost of the virtual training fees, continuing education credits (pending approval from MFTGA, LPCGA and NASWGA), training materials and certification as an authorized Restorative Retelling clinician (valued at $750).

In return for completing the RR training and the CVCP training, attendees will:

• Be given the opportunity to join the Murder-Suicide Response Network and act as a Support for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Group Facilitator for which you will be financially compensated for your time.
• Be placed on an exclusive list of providers referred to work with survivors of murder-suicide in Georgia for individual or family counseling.

For additional information, please contact GCFV’s Support for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Project Coordinator, Kylee Elliott, via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 404-615-3267