NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Those coping with loss and those who counsel the bereaved will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight during a lecture at The College of New Rochelle by Kenneth Doka, PhD, MDiv, Professor of Gerontology at The College of New Rochelle and a preeminent expert on grief. The lecture, “Growing in Grief”, being held in conjunction with the publication of Doka’s 35th book, Grief is a Journey: Finding Your Path Through Loss, will be held Tuesday, April 19, in Maura Ballroom at 7 p.m. Doka is the author of numerous academic books on grief and a frequent contributor to national news media, but this is the first book he has written for the general public. A book signing will follow the lecture, which is free and open to the public. To RSVP go to: www.cnr.edu/Doka
“We have little choice about the loss and the ensuing grief, but we do retain choice on whether we will grow up or down, grow bitter or better, as a result of our loss. The ‘Growing in Grief’ presentation—drawing from my new book–explores how we can draw upon our inner strengths and outer resources as we cope with loss,” he commented.
The book, Grief Is a Journey: Finding Your Path Through Loss, overturns prevailing, often judgmental ideas about grief, and replaces them with a more hopeful research-backed approach.
”I wanted a self-help book to reflect the most current thinking in the field. Despite decades of research and theorizing by so many in the field, most grieving individuals still have outmoded notions of how they should grieve — sometimes making them feel that their grief is somehow inappropriate,” Doka said.
Throughout Grief Is a Journey, Doka tells encouraging stories of his clients and other individuals, all working through unique losses, including the loss of a spouse, a child, and a parent. He explains the many ways people can create personal and private therapeutic rituals throughout their grief journey, and offers counsel on when—and where—to seek professional assistance.
Dr. Kenneth J. Doka is a licensed mental health counselor and preeminent expert in grief. He is Professor of Gerontology at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle as well as Senior Consultant to the Hospice Foundation of America and an ordained Lutheran minister. Dr. Doka speaks around the world on dying, death, and bereavement, and his work has been featured in national publications and media outlets such as Time, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Nightline.