LEVEL 2 — ADVANCED APPROACHES AND METHODS FOR END-OF-LIFE SUPPORT

Who this level is for all participants who have completed Level 1; those planning to work with complex families, multi-layered losses, and public-facing support. After completing Level 2, participants will understand the psychophysiology of stress, grief, and the end of life; be familiar with the foundations of thanatology; know the basics of palliative care relevant specifically to doulas (what we can and cannot advise); be able to design a support scenario for the final days or hours of life; account for cultural, religious, and mental frameworks of families; possess a set of gentle, safe methods (CBT-informed elements, somatic regulation, art- and narrative practices, aromatherapy) applied within appropriate limits; understand child grief and contemporary forms of loss; clearly recognize professional boundaries and the referral pathway to a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Level content includes Psychophysiology of grief and stress: what happens to the body and behavior of individuals and families during loss. Foundations of thanatology: death as a process, timing, and structuring of stages. Palliative care for doulas: scope of responsibility of the doula vs. medical decision-making. Practical support during the final period of life: space, touch, presence, and family involvement. Family communication scenarios: objections, fragmented families, and conflicts around information sharing. Cultural, religious, and mental differences in farewell practices: how to support without disrupting existing rituals. Child grief: age-specific features and safe language for children. Contemporary forms of loss: delayed, unresolved, public, and online grief. CBT-informed foundations for support: working with guilt, catastrophizing, and thoughts such as “I should have done more.” Introduction to EMDR and trauma-oriented approaches: what they are and when trauma should not be approached without a licensed therapist. Somatic-oriented elements: grounding, breathing, and basic self-regulation for clients and families. Art- and narrative micro-practices: preserving memory and supporting families. Foundations of aromatherapy at end of life: safe essential oils, contraindications, and the role of scent in calming. Crisis intervention for non-psychologists: action algorithms for crying, aggression, and shock reactions. Online support: responding in social media and messengers without crossing professional boundaries. Limits of competence: when to pause and refer a case onward.