Who is Eligible:
To be eligible for certification, the applicant must have earned a minimum of a master’s degree in their profession and hold a state or national license, with all training hours and supervision requirements completed to be licensed for independent practice in the state they are licensed.
- Psychologists
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Licensed Creative Arts Therapists
- Psychiatrists
- Psychoanalysts
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
- Pastoral Counselor
By applying for certification, the applicant agrees to adhere to Evergreen Certifications’ Professional Code of Ethics
Training Requirements:
A minimum of 18 hours of continuing education in specific grief topics.
Pre-approved, 3rd party trainings that meet the training requirements for CAGCS certification include:
- Advanced Grief Counseling Certification Training Course by PESI – Certification Included
- Advanced Grief Specialist Certification Training by PESI – Certification Fee Included!
Already Hold CGP Certification? Obtain the Additional Hours Needed for your CAGCS Certification
Wondering if a course meets the requirements for CAGCS certification? Submit a copy of or link to the course title, speaker, outline and learning objectives to info@evergreencertifications.com for review.
Please note that Evergreen Certifications does not offer continuing education, all training must be purchased directly through the accredited training organization. Training is not included in the certification fee.
Complete Clinical Hours:
The applicant must attest that, over the course of their career, they have conducted a minimum of 200 therapy hours with grief clients.
Letter of Recommendation:
The applicant must submit one letter of recommendation from a licensed professional peer who is familiar with and can attest to the applicant’s clinical grief counseling work.
Application Process:
For your initial 2-year certification, please complete the following steps.
- Complete a qualifying training
- Remit your initial application payment of 249.99 USD online
- Upload the following documents to your account:
- A copy of the candidate’s professional license
- Evidence of completion of qualifying training, in the form of a CE or completion certificate
- A letter of recommendation from a peer who can attest to the candidate’s grief work
- A completed CAGCS application form
Evergreen Certifications will certify applicants who meet the above requirements.
Please note: Certification does not imply endorsement of clinical competency. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession’s standards.
Renewal Process:
To maintain CAGCS certification, a renewal is required after your initial 2-year certification. A 2-year renewal requires 12 clock hours of grief-focused continuing education.
Sample CAGCS renewal trainings include:
- Mindful Grief: Mindfulness Techniques to Address Avoidance and Improve Emotional Regulation in Grief Treatment by PESI
- Pet Loss Grief Counseling Trained Professional by PESI
- 2-Day Intensive Thanatology Conference: Assessments & Interventions for Grief, Loss, & Mourning by PESI
- Transforming Grief & Loss: Strategies for Your Clients to Heal the Past, Change the Present and Transform the Future by PESI
Renewal CE content cannot be the same content used for prior renewal or initial certification
Renewal Process
- Complete a qualifying training
- Upload the following documents to your account:
- A copy of the candidate’s professional license
- Evidence of completion of qualifying training, in the form of a CE or completion certificate
- Remit your CAGCS renewal fee of 149.99 USD online
Renewal training hours need to have been taken in the time since you were certified or last recertified.
Renewals are calculated from the date that your certification was issued. If you allow your certification to lapse for more than 2 years, you are no longer eligible to renew your certification and instead can reapply for certification.