A Comparison of Non-Certified and Certified Grief Counselors in Regard to Education, Experience, Credentials, and Supervision

Abstract

This study utilized a causal-comparative research design to explore the similarities and differences between non-certified and certified grief counselors in the areas of education, training, experience, credentials, and supervision. Respondents included 623 non-certified and certified grief counselors, all of whom were members of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). The response rate was 63 percent. The findings of this study provide data on certified and non-certified grief counselors who are members of ADEC. Certified grief counselors report significantly more experience as counselors at the post-master's level, significantly more grief counseling experience, significantly more credentials, significantly higher mean composite scores on the 14 knowledge areas adapted from ADEC (1995) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and significantly higher scores on 12 of the 14 individual knowledge areas. ADEC is the oldest multi-disciplinary professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in death education, bereavement counseling, and care of the dying. Through theory and research, ADEC provides information, support, and resources to its multicultural membership, and through them, to the public. ADEC is the only professional organization that provides credentialing in grief counseling and death education.