Geneva Grief Counselor Named to Board of National Alliance for Grieving Children

Grief therapist and counselor Priscilla Brinkman of Geneva has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Grieving Children.

“Priscilla Brinkman has been an advocate for grieving children and teens, providingsupport to families, and we are thrilled she is lending her talents to the NAGC Board of Directors,” said Andy McNiel, executive director of the Alliance.

Brinkman is a licensed clinical social worker with certification in death, dying and bereavement issues, and has a practice in Geneva. She has worked with children and families for 25 years, focusing on grief, loss and life transitions for the past 15 years.

The National Alliance for Grieving Children provides a network for nationwide communication between hundreds of children’s bereavement support professionals and volunteers who share ideas, information and resources with each other to better support thefamilies they serve. The NAGC offers online education, hosts an annual symposium on children’s grief, maintains a national database of children’s bereavement support programs and promotes national awareness to enhance public sensitivity to the issues impacting grieving children and teens.

“The NAGC’s primary focus is to become the platform for knowledge and education about children’s grief,” said Brinkman. “Its annual national symposium brings together people who work with and volunteer with grieving children in many different fields. I’ll be privileged to help plan next year’s symposium as well as help develop online resources for those who work with grieving children. It’s exciting and I’m honored to serve.”

Brinkman worked extensively in grief and loss during her extended relationship with Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, initially as a volunteer and then as a staff social worker working with families. She helped spearhead and guide the children’s grief programs, including Herbie’s Friends bereavement program. After leaving her position there, she went into private practice and has recently opened her own office in Geneva.

As a certified professional, Brinkman brings current knowledge and information to her work with those experiencing grief and loss, and those dealing with life’s transitions, from the loss of a job, to coping with a divorce or separation, even handling a child leaving for college.

“There’s so much misinformation out there. People will say, ‘Oh, I’m stuck in this stage.’ But there are no timelines and stages,” Brinkman said. “There is no set formula. As a professional with knowledge and training in the many layers of grief and loss, I help people discover their personal strengths and develop strategies to cope with their life’s experiences.”

For more information, contact Brinkman at 630-471-2117, or visit http://www.pbrinkman.com/.