A. Wass on traumatic bereavement and complicated grief reactions. Therapy for trauma and pathological grief traditionally have been the domain of psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, often affiliated with psychiatric hospitals, outpatient services, or in private practice (Raphael Middletoa, Martinek, Misso, 1993). Early studies in adult bereave ment led to the establishment of mutual and self-help services and orga nizations. As more data were generated grief counseling evolved into a professional specialty. Leading experts have questioned the need for such a specialty, suggesting that well-trained and experienced mental health professionals, such as clergy, funeral directors, and physicians, can learn with short-term training what is needed to counsel"normall bereaved people, whereas the issues in grief therapy require more in- depth preparation(Worden, 1991). However, others observed that this distinction is not being made in practice(e. g, Raphael et al., 1993) The preparation of grief counselors has consisted primarily of conti nuing education programs such as workshops, seminars, summer insti tutes, and the like and has been widely dispersed. The need for such further education is shown in studies. Less than 50% of graduate pro grams in clinical psychology and related professions cover death-related problems, such as suicide(mongar Harmatz, 1991). And there is evi- dence to suggest that beginning counselors feel intensely uncomfortable when faced with client issues concerning grief or impending death (Kirchberg Neimeyer, 1991). A follow-up study showed that high levels of discomfort were predictors of personal fear of death, suggesting that death and grief counselors with high death anxiety are vulnerable. In addition, an overall low level of empathy was found (Kirchberg, Neimeyer, &James 1998). Participants in death education programs for grief counselors may include graduates with beginning or advanced degrees in psychology, the health professions, or other areas. They may be offered by educational institutions, professional associations, and hey may be hospital-, community-, or agency-based and provided by private organizations. Because of their large numbers, they are difficult to track or to study to ascertain quality and consistency. The inadequacy of preparation of counseling practitioners revealed in the Kirchberg Neimeyer studies were also found in surveys. In a national survey of counselors and counselor educators, Rosenthal(1981)found more than 80% of the respondents recognized the need for grief education and Internet search engines provide thousands of links to training programs.on traumatic bereavement and complicated grief reactions.Therapy for trauma and pathological grief traditionally have been the domain of psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, often affiliated with psychiatric hospitals, outpatient services, or in private practice (Raphael, Middletoa, Martinek, & Misso, 1993). Early studies in adult bereave￾ment led to the establishment of mutual and self-help services and orga￾nizations. As more data were generated, grief counseling evolved into a professional specialty. Leading experts have questioned the need for such a specialty, suggesting that well-trained and experienced mental health professionals, such as clergy, funeral directors, and physicians, can learn with short-term training what is needed to counsel‘‘normally’’ bereaved people, whereas the issues in grief therapy require more in￾depth preparation (Worden, 1991). However, others observed that this distinction is not being made in practice (e.g., Raphael et al., 1993). The preparation of grief counselors has consisted primarily of conti￾nuing education programs such as workshops, seminars, summer insti￾tutes, and the like and has been widely dispersed. The need for such further education is shown in studies. Less than 50% of graduate pro￾grams in clinical psychology and related professions cover death-related problems, such as suicide (Bongar & Harmatz, 1991). And there is evi￾dence to suggest that beginning counselors feel intensely uncomfortable when faced with client issues concerning grief or impending death (Kirchberg & Neimeyer, 1991). A follow-up study showed that high levels of discomfort were predictors of personal fear of death, suggesting that death and grief counselors with high death anxiety are vulnerable. In addition, an overall low level of empathy was found (Kirchberg, Neimeyer, & James 1998). Participants in death education programs for grief counselors may include graduates with beginning or advanced degrees in psychology, the health professions, or other areas. They may be offered by educational institutions, professional associations, and they may be hospital-, community-, or agency-based and provided by private organizations. Because of their large numbers,5 they are difficult to track or to study to ascertain quality and consistency.The inadequacy of preparation of counseling practitioners revealed in the Kirchberg/ Neimeyer studies were also found in surveys. In a national survey of counselors and counselor educators, Rosenthal (1981) found more than 80% of the respondents recognized the need for grief education and 5 Internet search engines provide thousands of links to training programs. 296 H. Wass