Alderwood of Davidson County, alongside presenting sponsor J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home, has announced its 14th Annual Professional Conference on Grief and Loss, titled “Loss in the Margins,” scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Davidson-Davie Community College. The full-day educational event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and offer critical continuing education for mental health professionals, healthcare providers, and end-of-life care practitioners across the region.
This year’s conference centers on loss in underserved populations, and practical clinical applications for individuals navigating disenfranchised and marginalized grief—types of loss that are often unacknowledged, invalidated, or overlooked by broader societal structures.
“Our annual conference continues to serve as an essential gathering place for professionals dedicated to supporting individuals through life’s most complex transitions,” said Cole Warner, Director of Counseling and Support Services for Alderwood of Davidson County. “By focusing on ‘Loss in the Margins,’ we aim to equip clinicians, chaplains, and care directors with the specialized insight needed to support disenfranchised individuals
with dignity, empathy, and evidence-based care.”
The keynote address will be delivered by Laura S. Wheat, PhD, LPC/MHSP, NCC an adjunct instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro) and a widely respected scholar and practitioner in counselor education and grief counseling. Dr. Wheat will share evidence-informed strategies designed to help practitioners better identify and serve clients whose loss experiences fall outside traditional paradigms.
The event is specifically tailored for counselors, social workers, funeral directors, hospice staff, chaplains, and caregiving professionals. Qualifying participants will earn 5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), awarded through both the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Registration is $50 per person, which covers full program access, morning coffee, and a catered lunch. Attendees can register online at https://alderwoodhealth.org/grief-conference/ or by calling 336-475-5444. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.