40 CE Grief Massage Zoom Training Series: January-June 2025
“The Joy of Grief Massage” 40 CE Training Series: A 6 month program
Learn how to provide soothing massage & compassionate support to those experiencing grief, with small group training held online over a 6 month period.
We will meet for class from 9 am to 6 pm EST on the last Saturday of each month from January-May 2025. And on the last Saturday in June, we will meet for a 2 hour (optional) group mentoring session to integrate all you have learned and provide support in stepping out into the world as a Grief Massage practitioner.
Join us for a fully online event where you can learn and grow in the field of Grief Massage. This training and mentoring program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to provide compassionate support to those experiencing grief.
Led by Aimee Joy Taylor, creator of the Safe and Gentle Grief Massage modality, this event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the art of Grief Massage. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting out, this program will help you develop a deeper understanding of the emotional and physical aspects of grief.
Don't miss out on this valuable chance to expand your expertise and make a difference in the lives of others.
Contact Aimee directly at aimeetaylor@griefmassage.org to apply and learn how to register for this 40 hour training program..
This 5 part training series meets virtually via Zoom over the course of 6 months.
Class 1 (8 hours of learning) will meet from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday 1/25/25. There will be a one hour lunch break and many small breaks throughout the day to pause, ground and tend to the body (eat snacks, move, hydrate etc). This first class meeting will focus on “Grief the Body and the Nervous System” and will guide students through a thorough understanding of current research on the impacts of grief on the body, current grief theories, and an exploration of how touch and co-regulation with a calm and grounded massage therapist can have a beneficial effect on grievers. Students will be empowered to connect the dots between grief and massage therapy and to begin developing a Grief Massage “elevator speech” in service of raising awareness of the benefits of touch during times of loss.
Class 2 (8 hours of learning ) will meet from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday 2/22/25. There will be a one hour lunch break and many small breaks throughout the day to pause, ground and tend to the body (eat snacks, move, hydrate etc). This second class meeting, “Grief Massage Intake and Protocols” will focus on the unique needs of grieving massage clients from first contact (phone call or email outreach) through every step of the booking and intake process. Students will be empowered to create a heart centered cancellation policy and practice rules for Grief Massage, along with a grief-focused intake tools such as a script for inquiry phone calls with potential new Grief Massage clients and a “What to Expect” document for new clients once an appointment is booked. Students will learn the BEST protocol (BEST is an acronym for the 4 step process Aimee has created for inquiry phone calls with potential new Grief Massage clients), and will also be encouraged to explore modifications and accommodations that can be made for the intake paperwork process in order to make the experience grief-sensitive.
Class 3 (8 hours of learning ) will meet from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday 3/29/25. There will be a one hour lunch break and many small breaks throughout the day to pause, ground and tend to the body (eat snacks, move, hydrate etc). This third class meeting, “The Grief Massage Sequence” will focus on presenting up-to-date research and practical real-life examples of techniques, approaches and bodywork styles that can benefit grievers by assisting with relaxation and creating a felt sense of safety. Students will be empowered to create their own unique hands-on Grief Massage approach if desired, and will also be presented with demo videos of Aimee’s signature approach “Safe and Gentle Grief Massage” (students will receive sequence sheets and full instruction in Aimee’s approach and are welcome to utilize Safe and Gentle Grief Massage” or to modify it as desired). Topics of discussion will include: pacing, pressure, addressing areas of client discomfort (i.e. sore shoulders, tight jaw or neck) without adopting a “fixing” or “goal oriented” mindset, and how to create a trauma-informed experience by giving clients the option to remain clothed for the massage.
Class 4 (8 hours of learning ) will meet from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday 4/26/25. There will be a one hour lunch break and many small breaks throughout the day to pause, ground and tend to the body (eat snacks, move, hydrate etc). This fourth class meeting, “Emotional Release and Scope of Practice” will focus on how to create a safe container for the Grief Massage experience by tending to important boundaries. Students will be empowered to define their scope of practice as a massage therapist and craft language and scripts for communicating their scope of practice to clients. Students will engage in ethical explorations of how and why massage therapy scope of practice protects clients AND practitioners of Grief Massage. And, students will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss the importance and prevalence of emotional release. Our exploration of emotional release in the Grief Massage setting will include: specific ways that emotional release may manifest physically, how to remain in scope of practice by “handling” but not “processing” emotional release, ways to remain grounded and present with a client actively experiencing emotional release, how to prepare clients for the possibility of emotional release and communicate your confidence in the process (convey that emotional release occurs organically and can be trusted), how to assist a client in grounding after an emotional release, and specific forms of after-care and support that can be offered to clients after Grief Massage.
Class 5 (8 hours of learning ) will meet from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday 5/31/25. There will be a one hour lunch break and many small breaks throughout the day to pause, ground and tend to the body (eat snacks, move, hydrate etc). This fifth class meeting “Developing and Grief Massage Programs” will focus on multiple opportunities students may have to bring Grief Massage into their communities: through private practice, through employment settings, and even through non-profit/grant-funded projects. Students will learn about all 3 options for creating Grief Massage programs and will be assisted in reflecting upon their current preferences and resources for creating a program. Students will also be encouraged to create a personal Self-Care plan to assist in burnout prevention and to promote the ethical practice of Grief Massage, as well as to develop a pricing structure that reflects their true worth and that honors their own needs for income and energy exchange. Aimee will also share marketing insights that may be helpful to new Grief Massage practitioners.
A final (optional) Group Mentoring call will occur for the cohort to reunite on Saturday June 28, 2025. During this 2 hour Zoom meeting from 10 am to 12 pm, students will be welcomed to share their experiences post-training, gain support and encouragement, get questions answered, and reconnect with their peers from the training.
You are welcome to participate in the class to your comfort level, and each 8 hour training session will be accompanied by a printable workbook for recording thoughts, insights and “aha” moments from class.
About this class
In times of deep sorrow and grief, massage therapists can offer tangible comfort.
Massage therapists have unique skills that can be used to create grounding, nourishing physical retreats for heart-broken clients.
If you are a massage therapist with an interest in serving grieving people through touch, this training is for you!
In this "The Joy of Grief Massage" weekend webinar training, we guide students on the importance of witnessing (not “fixing”) grief.
At The Institute for Grief Massage, we help compassionate massage therapists feel skilled, confident and prepared to serve grieving clients.
We help massage therapists learn to hold space, trust the moment, and “just be” with a client. There’s a lot more to Grief Massage than a simple list of techniques or a particular bodywork sequence.
The good news: becoming more grief literate can help you be a much more effective Grief Massage practitioner (as well as an overall more sensitive, empathetic and compassionate human).
Grief Massage asks us to create and hold safe space. We prepare you to do so, while also providing the practical information you expect from any massage therapy continuing education course.
What to expect
This class can be your guide for offering massage to bereaved or grieving clients.
As a small group, we will share insights and experiences, in a warm and accepting atmosphere.
Lecture and discussions will center on the "big picture" (preparing you to offer Grief Massage to your clients and community).
Our comprehensive training will empower your work by covering a wide range of important factors such as:
-empathy for the experience of grieving
-how the physical body responds to loss
-how grieving influences the nervous system
-special considerations for intake and appointment scheduling
-grief and the massage therapy scope of practice/emotional release
-creating a safe space for clients.
-self-care and boundaries
-Grief Massage techniques (including a very simple & calming Grief Massage sequence)
-insights on how to gain experience with Grief Massage
-marketing ideas for sharing this work with your community
Your experience
Learning will be personal.
You will be a part of a small group (1 instructor and a maximum of 9 students)
Class will meet via Zoom (live web conferencing) and you will be encouraged to learn, take notes, share, and reflect during class.
You will be supported in developing skills to be present with grieving clients, and you will also learn specific tools and techniques.
This training will encourage you to meet grieving clients where they are – accepting them just as they are – by letting your presence and touch communicate support and empathy.
Why this class matters
It's so easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed in the face of great suffering.
Do you feel inadequate or ill-equipped to "fix" the pain you see in the world at large or in the faces of those near you?
It's human to want to fix suffering.
But what if the impulse to "fix" the pain of others is actually part of the larger problem?
What if instead of "fixing" grief, you could learn to simply communicate support and acceptance through touch?
What if you, as a massage therapist, could learn to ground yourself, take a deep breath of courageous empathy, and create a space where grievers can rest amid the hard work of grieving?
What if steadfastness, empathy and gentle touch in a safe, respectful and sacred environment were contribution enough?
What if you could embark on the lifelong quest to train your hands and heart to let go of the need to "fix" suffering?
What would that ability bring to the world?
(Whether or not you join this class, you encouraged to ponder those questions and let those questions become a part of your work.)
Details About Mentoring
You will have the opportunity to receive compassionate, caring support from Aimee in a group setting after the 5 all day training meetings have been completed.
This package includes a 2 hour group follow-up mentoring session with Aimee at the end of the class series, to explore and discuss your vision for offering Grief Massage in your practice.
As the creator of this course, an experienced Grief Massage practitioner, and trained counselor, Aimee has the ability to listen, reflect and offer unique insights to empower you on your path to offering Grief Massage in your own way. The group mentoring session will also allow you to reconnect with other students from the course and offer support while rooting deeply into the power of community.
Please note that while Aimee is a trained mental health practitioner, she will not be providing any mental health services or therapy during your group mentoring session.
Mentoring will focus on integrating the information from the course, visioning how Grief Massage will fit into your current practice, and exploring your unique ideas and inspirations for bringing touch to grieving people in your community.
Important Details About Continuing Education:
This training series of 5 eight hour learning sessions is approved by the NCBTMB for 40 hours continuing education.
A 40 hour continuing education (CE) certificate will be presented to students at the end of the 5 training meetings (if all meetings have been attended)..
Each class/topic meeting must be attended in its entirety and students are responsible for ensuring their computers, internet access, and Zoom application are in working order.
If a student misses any portion of the class, they will not be eligible to receive their CE certificate.
Makeups are not available.
Very Important: Please note that while this course is approved by the NCBTMB, it is the sole responsibility of each student to check with their individual state board/licensing body to ensure that the CE from these classes will be accepted toward licensure renewal.
The instructor makes no guarantee that the CE offered in this class will be accepted by any individual state massage board.
New York students: This NCBTMB approved course is NOT sponsored in New York by the NCBTMB and will not be accepted toward license renewal (to the best of our knowledge).
Please also note that this is a training course and not a professional certification. You will earn continuing education credits through this course but will not be certified as a result of taking this introductory course.
Registration Policy:
Register for this class series by contacting Aimee directly at aimeetaylor@griefmassage.org. She will verify that you are a licensed massage therapists and will schedule a short 15 minute call to answer any questions about this training for you, and to ensure that the program is a good fit for your needs.
Tuition for this six month 40 CE/ 40 hour program is $1750. If $1750 is not accessible for you, a community rate of $1500 can be offered.
Upon acceptance of your registration application, Aimee will arrange a PayPal invoice for you to pay tuition. If you are in need of a payment plan please speak with Aimee directly about options.
An electronic class printable PDF workbook will be emailed to you prior to the start of the class series.
By registering for this class series and paying the tuition, you agree to be fully responsible for attending each class/topic meeting in its entirety, as well as for ensuring that your computer, internet access, Zoom download/running of the Zoom application are in working order.
The instructor is not responsible for any technical failure, internet connectivity issues, or other factors that may interfere with a student's ability to attend or participate in a scheduled class.
Further, by registering for this class, you affirm that you are a licensed massage therapist and hold an active massage therapy license (or that you are a massage student and the laws of your governing body allow you to participate in continuing education courses).
Registration Deadline:
The deadline to register for this class series is December 31, 2024.
Payment and Fee Information:
This package consists of a 5 part Zoom training (40 CE) valued at $1500 and one 2-hour group mentoring session valued at $250. Group mentoring session will be conducted via Zoom on Saturday June 28, 2025 from 10 - 12 pm EST. Attendance at the group mentoring session is optional. The mentoring session will not be recorded.
The total cost of this training and mentoring package is $1750.
Please note that this price is subject to change at any time.
The current tuition rate breaks down to approximately $37.50 per class hour for training and $125 per hour for group mentoring.
Payment is due in full at the time of registration (unless a payment plan has been agreed upon and arranged) and no refunds will be offered for any reason except in the event of an emergency on the part of the instructor (which causes the instructor to reschedule or cancel class) or a technical failure on the part of the instructor that causes class to be cancelled.
In the rare event of such an emergency or technical failure, the instructor will offer to reschedule the class and/or offer a refund if a makeup class cannot be scheduled.
Please note that, per the attendance policy, if you miss part of any class, you will not be eligible to receive the CE certificate at the end of that class.
Cancellation Policy:
Class will only be cancelled in the event of an emergency or technical failure on the part of the instructor.
In the event of an emergency or technical failure that requires the instructor to cancel class, every effort will be made to reschedule the class session. If the cancelled class session cannot be rescheduled, that individual class session will be refunded.
Refund Policy:
Refunds will not be offered, except in the rare event of an emergency or technical failure that requires the instructor to cancel the class session. If a class session is cancelled, every effort will first be made to reschedule the session.
Only when/if a class session that was cancelled by the instructor cannot be rescheduled will a refund be made available.
The Joy of Grief Massage℠ and Safe and Gentle Grief Massage℠ are service marks of Aimee Joy Taylor/The Institute for Grief Massage Inc℠
The Institute for Grief Massage Inc is a continuing education Approved Provider by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Approved Provider #521.
