[ Create an account](/create-an-account)[ Log In](/log-in) [ Cart](/cart) [ ![Telehealth Certification Institute LLC Logo]() ![Telehealth Certification Institute LLC Logo]()](/) # Differential Diagnosis after Bereavement ## Prolonged Grief Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Nonpathological Grief, And Related Conditions ## February 26, 2027, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST ## Join us for a Live Webinar 1 CE hour available for behavioral health clinicians ![Image]() **When does grief become a diagnosable mental health condition? Distinguishing prolonged grief disorder from nonpathological bereavement, major depressive disorder, and trauma-related conditions requires more than identifying symptoms. It demands careful attention to duration, clinical context, and cultural norms to avoid both overdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.** Bereavement can involve profound distress without constituting a mental disorder. Yet when symptoms persist or intensify, clinicians must determine whether they reflect an expected grief process or a condition requiring targeted treatment. This 1-hour live webinar offers a practical approach to making those distinctions with greater diagnostic precision and cultural sensitivity. [Register for the 1 CE Live Webinar for $34](/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&cid=1629) [Register for the no-CE version for $17](/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&cid=1630) Led by Jason Buckles, Ph.D., LPCC, this training draws on more than 25 years of clinical experience and two decades of teaching DSM-based assessment to graduate students and mental health professionals. His background in behavioral health consultation, diagnostic assessment, and treatment planning brings a seasoned clinical perspective to the complexities of differential diagnosis following bereavement. Dr. Buckles uses a straightforward, lecture-based approach grounded in current literature and practice-based examples. He translates complex diagnostic criteria into manageable clinical considerations, helping participants examine patterns of symptoms over time and identify questions that can sharpen their diagnostic reasoning. His emphasis on a careful, replicable process makes the material relevant across theoretical orientations and practice settings. The course begins by examining DSM-5-TR criteria for prolonged grief disorder, including duration thresholds and the importance of cultural and familial expectations surrounding bereavement. Participants will explore how persistent yearning and preoccupation with the deceased differ from the pervasive depressive mood associated with major depressive disorder. The discussion also examines post-traumatic stress disorder following traumatic loss, adjustment disorder, and the possibility of overlapping or co-occurring conditions. Throughout the training, Dr. Buckles addresses longitudinal assessment, relevant diagnostic probes, and the influence of medical, substance-related, and other biopsychosocial factors on case formulation. ![Jason Buckles Headshot]() ### Instructor **Jason Buckles, Ph.D., LPCC** Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Jason earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology at New York University in 1996. While there, he worked on diagnostic projects at Bellevue Hospital and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He earned his Master’s in Counseling at The University of New Mexico in 2001 and his Ph.D. in Special Education at The University of New Mexico in 2016. His dissertation focused on the experiences of direct support professionals who support people with sexually challenging behavior. Since 2002 Jason has been the owner of Talkabout Inc., a Behavior Consultation agency specializing in support for people with intellectual disability and concurrent mental health diagnoses. From 2012 through 2016, Jason was the Statewide Clinical Director of the New Mexico Department of Health – Bureau of Behavioral Support, overseeing statewide systems of behavioral support consultation. From 2016-2019 Jason was the Executive Director of A Better Way of Living, a CQL-accredited agency that provides life-wide supports for people with intellectual disability. He is currently a contracting consultant with the New Mexico Department of Health, where he supervises the sexual risk screening program, and the ongoing development of behavior support systems, and provides statewide trainings on co-occurring mental health conditions for people with intellectual disability, among other topics. For several years Jason has also served as the Program Manager for the Developmental Disability/Mental Illness project with the University of New Mexico. For most of the past 20 years, he was a part-time instructor at both The University of New Mexico, teaching Introduction to Intellectual Disability, and at New Mexico Highlands University, teaching DSM Assessment for Counselors. **Key Takeaways:** - **Distinguish grief from disorder:** Apply DSM-5-TR criteria for prolonged grief disorder while accounting for symptom duration, impairment, and cultural expectations to avoid pathologizing nonpathological bereavement. - **Recognize critical diagnostic differences:** Identify how grief-centered yearning differs from pervasive depressive mood and trauma-related responses to better distinguish prolonged grief disorder, major depressive disorder, and related conditions. - **Strengthen complex case formulations:** Use a longitudinal, culturally informed approach to evaluate overlapping symptoms and co-occurring conditions, supporting defensible diagnostic decisions and targeted treatment planning. **Why this course?** - **Navigate a consequential diagnostic challenge:** Bereavement can obscure the presence of a mental disorder or lead to the misclassification of an expected human response. Gain a systematic approach to recognizing these distinctions while respecting individual experiences of loss. - **Learn from extensive clinical and teaching experience:** Dr. Buckles combines decades of mental health practice with graduate-level instruction in DSM assessment. His practical teaching style makes complex diagnostic questions more accessible and relevant to everyday clinical decision-making. - **Invest in focused, clinically relevant education:** Telehealth Certification Institute offers continuing education designed to equip behavioral health professionals with knowledge they can apply in practice. This concentrated 1-hour webinar addresses a specific diagnostic challenge without requiring an extensive training commitment. **Learning Objectives:** - **Apply** DSM-5-TR prolonged grief disorder thresholds, including duration and cultural-context requirements. - **Differentiate** grief-focused yearning from pervasive depressive mood and trauma-focused responses. - **Develop** a defensible formulation when symptoms overlap or co-occur. Grief can be painful and long-lasting without becoming a disorder. Knowing when clinical findings warrant a different diagnostic formulation is essential to ethical assessment and effective treatment planning. This webinar offers an opportunity to revisit foundational diagnostic principles and refine the clinical judgment needed to navigate bereavement-related presentations with greater confidence. **Credit Hours:** CEs provided with this live webinar include 1 continuing education hour of credit. **Counselors:** Telehealth Certification Institute LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048. **Marriage and Family Therapists:** Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if this course would be accepted by your licensing board. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135 **Social Workers:** Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 clinical continuing education credit. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435. **Addiction Professionals:** This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming. **Psychologists:** Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128. **Other Professionals:** This activity qualifies for 60 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements. This is a live, interactive online webinar. [CE Hour Information](#sppb-modal-1595362420788) **Register for the webinar by midnight before the event.** So that we can provide you these CEs, you are required to: 1. login and access the direct link to the webinar through your account 2. participate fully during the event 3. complete a post-test and course evaluation at the conclusion of the event 4. collect your certificate of completion on your account after steps 1-3 are completed Enroll in a course by adding it to the cart and proceeding through the check out process. Create an account (or login to yours) during the checkout process. **Prepare:** Download Zoom software. Participants must use a device that is connected to adequate internet speed with a camera, microphone and speakers (or headset). **Attend:** At least 15 minutes before the start time the day of the event, login to your account on the website. Go to "My Courses", click on the title/date of the webinar. The link to join the meeting/webinar will be listed in the course content. Attendance is automatically recorded when you use the link to join. [How to Attend the Webinar](#sppb-modal-1595362420793) Any recording made of a live event is NOT included with live webinar registration. When possible, webinars are recorded and converted into online self-study courses, available for separate purchase/enrollment for those who did not attend the live event. [Recording not Provided](#sppb-modal-1629763879622) ## Testimonials I completed the Telehealth Training. This training was very effective for me because it was self-paced. I was able to work at my own pace to fully grasp the information. In addition, the various graphics and explanations made retaining the information better for my learning style. I also enjoyed the small quizzes at the end that helped increase my understanding and application of the information. I will definitely recommend this course to other clinicians! Iveyana Kiara Smith This bundle of Clinical Supervision courses helped me to feel more confident as a clinical supervisor. It provided well rounded content and helped me feel more prepared for stepping into a supervisory role. I highly recommend these courses and appreciate that they are self-paced. Jessy Hainbach The Foundations for Working With Families Engaged in High Conflict Divorce, Training Video was very helpful in developing skills to navigate work with families experiencing this. Bryant Wilson The TeleMental Health Training Certificate Program was incredibly easy to navigate, with a smooth and intuitive layout that made learning stress-free. The content flowed logically, building on each section in a way that felt natural and engaging. I appreciated how clear the instructions were—everything I needed was right where I expected it to be. Ben Keyser Professional development available anytime without time restrictions! Mei Chan Enhancing Clinical Supervision: Supporting Autistic and other Neurodivergent Therapists in Clinical Settings training was absolutely wonderful! Thorough, detailed, and kept my attention. Meghan Co, LCSW-C, LICSW [View All 700+ Testimonials](/about-us/testimonials) ©2025 Telehealth Certification Institute LLC. All Rights Reserved. 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