Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist

Who is Eligible

Independently licensed, master’s prepared mental health professionals, including:

1. Counselor
2. Marriage and Family Therapist
3. Psychologist
4. Social Worker

A detailed listing of eligible professionals can be found here.

Training Requirements

A minimum of 18 hours of continuing education in specific grief topics. Click here for details.

Pre-approved, 3rd party trainings that meet the training requirements for Certification include:

1. Advanced Grief Counseling Certification Training Course by PESI - Certification Included
2. Already Hold CGCS? - Click Here to Obtain the Additional Hours Needed for your CAGCS Certification

Wondering if a course meets the requirements for Certification? Submit a copy of or link to the course title, speaker, outline and learning objectives to info@evergreencertifications.com for review.

Additional Requirements

The applicant must attest that, over the course of their career, he/she has conducted a minimum of 200 therapy hours with grief clients. Additionally, 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

1. Complete a qualifying training
2. Remit your initial application fee payment of 249.99 USD online
3. Upload the following documents to your account:
   1. A copy of the candidate’s professional license
   2. Evidence of completion of qualifying training, in the form of a CEU or completion certificate
   3. A completed application form, found here
   4. A letter of recommendation from a peer who can attest to the candidate’s grief work

Renewal

To maintain Certification, a renewal is required. After your initial 2-year Certification, you have the option to renew for 2 years. A 2-year renewal requires 12 clock hours of grief-focused continuing education.

Sample renewal trainings include:

1. Mindful Grief: Mindfulness Techniques to Address Avoidance and Improve Emotional Regulation in Grief Treatment by PESI
2. Pet Loss Grief Counseling Trained Professional by PESI
3. 2-Day Intensive Thanatology Conference: Assessments & Interventions for Grief, Loss, & Mourning by PESI
4. Transforming Grief & Loss: Strategies for Your Clients to Heal the Past, Change the Present and Transform the Future by PESI

Renewal Process

1. Complete a qualifying training
2. Upload the following documents to your account:
   1. A copy of the candidate’s professional license
   2. Evidence of completion of qualifying training, in the form of a CEU or completion certificate
3. Remit your renewal fee online

Complete details can be found here.