Dignity Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Defining Human Dignity in Healthcare

Examines dignity as a philosophical and clinical concept across cultural contexts. Grounds subsequent therapy skills in a shared ethical vocabulary.

Lesson 2 • Psychological Needs at End of Life

Identifies existential, emotional, and relational needs common in dying patients. Prepares practitioners to recognize distress signals that Dignity Therapy addresses.

Lesson 3 • Palliative Care Principles and Goals

Covers core palliative care values: comfort, quality of life, and holistic support. Contextualizes Dignity Therapy within the broader palliative care framework.

Lesson 1 • The Dignity Model Framework

Breaks down the three major categories of the dignity model: illness-related concerns, dignity-conserving repertoire, and social dignity inventory. Provides the conceptual map for therapy design.

Lesson 2 • Populations and Settings Studied

Surveys the range of patient populations and care settings in which Dignity Therapy has been tested. Helps practitioners assess applicability to their own clinical contexts.

Lesson 3 • Historical Development of Dignity Therapy

Traces Chochinov's dignity model from theoretical conception to structured intervention. Situates the therapy historically within palliative psychology.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Therapeutic Listening

Distinguishes therapeutic listening from ordinary conversation through attention, suspension of judgment, and full presence. Forms the relational foundation for all DT sessions.

Lesson 2 • Maintaining Boundaries and Self-Care

Covers professional boundaries, compassion fatigue recognition, and self-care strategies for DT practitioners. Sustains long-term practitioner effectiveness and wellbeing.

Lesson 3 • Managing Silence and Emotional Pauses

Addresses the therapeutic use of silence and how to sit with patient distress without rushing. Builds practitioner tolerance for emotional intensity in sessions.

Lesson 1 • Overview of the Question Framework

Presents the nine core Dignity Therapy questions and their sequencing rationale. Establishes the interview as a guided yet flexible narrative tool.

Lesson 2 • Opening Questions and Life History

Focuses on questions that invite patients to share formative memories and personal history. Builds rapport and activates the patient's sense of identity and pride.

Lesson 3 • Closing Questions and Future Wishes

Covers questions about hopes for loved ones and final words the patient wants recorded. Prepares practitioners to close sessions with emotional sensitivity.

Lesson 4 • Adapting Questions to Patient Needs

Teaches how to modify question wording for cognitive, linguistic, or emotional barriers. Ensures the protocol remains patient-centered across diverse presentations.

Lesson 1 • Closing the Session Therapeutically

Covers how to signal session end, summarize key themes, and transition the patient out of deep reflection. Protects patient emotional safety at session close.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Session Preparation and Patient Selection

Covers eligibility criteria, referral pathways, and environmental setup for a DT session. Ensures practitioners begin each session with clinical and logistical readiness.

Lesson 3 • Navigating the Interview in Real Time

Addresses in-session decision-making: following patient leads, managing tangents, and maintaining narrative focus. Develops practitioner flexibility within the structured protocol.

Lesson 4 • Recording and Transcription Practices

Explains audio recording protocols, transcription standards, and data security requirements. Ensures the raw material for the generativity document is accurate and protected.

Lesson 1 • Transcript Review and Theme Identification

Guides practitioners through reading transcripts to identify core themes, key phrases, and narrative arcs. Builds the analytical foundation for coherent document structure.

Lesson 2 • Editing for Voice and Authenticity

Teaches how to preserve the patient's authentic voice while improving clarity and flow. Balances editorial craft with fidelity to the patient's own words.

Lesson 3 • Understanding the Document's Purpose

Clarifies the generativity document as a therapeutic artifact for patients and families, not a clinical record. Frames the editing task as an act of care and witness.

Lesson 4 • Structuring and Formatting the Document

Covers organizational approaches, paragraph flow, and formatting choices that enhance readability. Produces a document that feels personal, dignified, and complete.

Lesson 1 • Post-Delivery Follow-Up and Closure

Covers follow-up contact with patients and families after document delivery and how to close the therapeutic relationship. Ensures continuity of care and dignified closure.

Lesson 2 • Supporting Family Members and Caregivers

Addresses the grief, relief, and meaning-making that families experience upon receiving the document. Equips practitioners to support family wellbeing alongside patient care.

Lesson 3 • Planning the Document Presentation

Covers timing, setting, and participant selection for the document handover. Maximizes the therapeutic impact of the presentation moment.

Lesson 1 • Supervision, Competency, and Ongoing Development

Establishes standards for clinical supervision, competency assessment, and continuing professional development in DT. Prepares graduates to maintain and advance their practice.

Lesson 2 • Dignity Therapy with Cognitive Impairment

Adapts the DT protocol for patients with mild to moderate dementia or delirium. Maintains therapeutic integrity while accommodating cognitive limitations.

Lesson 3 • Dignity Therapy in Non-Cancer Diagnoses

Applies DT to patients with heart failure, COPD, ALS, and other life-limiting conditions. Addresses disease-specific existential concerns and functional limitations.

Lesson 4 • Culturally Responsive Dignity Therapy

Addresses how cultural values, spiritual beliefs, and family structures shape dignity and legacy. Equips practitioners to deliver culturally humble and responsive sessions.