Advanced Skills Training

Ambiguous Loss Masterclass

Advanced Skills Training

The second component of this masterclass, Advanced Skills Training, offers a deeper dive into the topic. Its intended audience is professionals regularly providing support to families, including specialised police, counsellors and support workers.

It explores theoretical constructs, therapeutic models, and practical examples using The Hope Narratives tool by way of simulated counselling sessions, to build confidence in engaging in the uncertainty and helping families navigate this path.

Creator and host, Dr Sarah Wayland draws on her 20 years’ experience working in missing persons and exploring the intersection of hopefulness and hopelessness that ambiguous loss creates to deliver this evidence-based masterclass, helping people better support loved ones of missing people as they navigate the uncertainty.

SHop

Ambiguous Loss Masterclass

Advanced Skills Training

The package comprises a 47-minute video and accompanying slides and is available now.

“If you’ve ever missed a loved one, you can imagine how devastating it is when your loved one disappears. It is a unique form of loss that requires understanding. This masterclass is a vital community resource addressing the often-misunderstood loss and grief caused by long term disappearance. Congratulations to Missed and Dr Sarah Wayland on the production of this essential resource.”

Ged Kearney MP

Hon. Ged Kearney MP

A/Minister for Health and Aged Care

support

The Hope Narratives

The cards bridge communication gaps between family members, friends, colleagues and mental health care professionals by putting words to indescribable feelings. 

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The Hope Narratives

A set of beautiful, thoughtfully designed cards that validate and articulate complex thoughts and feelings.

Education

Ambiguous Loss Masterclass

Ambiguous Loss 101

This world-first initiative provides vital professional and personal development to those who work with, or are close to, loved ones of missing people.

Portrait of an older man with a sorrow expression looking at the camera

UNIQUE FORM OF GRIEF

Ambiguous loss

The type of grief families and friends of missing people experience is called ambiguous loss. Psychologists consider it to be one of the most traumatic kinds of grief and one of the most unmanageable forms of stress.

*Ambiguous Loss, the theory and the book; Emeritus Professor Dr Pauline Boss (Harvard University Press, 1999/2000)