Donna Burns is an educational psychologist who specializes in developmental psychology with an emphasis on child and adolescent development, diversity, and issues in grief and loss. She has designed and taught undergraduate and graduate level courses on death and dying and conducts seminars and workshops for school districts and non-profit organizations. She has presented papers on various aspects of grief and loss at local, regional, and national conferences and has created a conceptual framework for understanding grief reactions. She coordinates and oversees the children’s program for the annual New York State Police Survivor’s Tribute weekend; has provided support to bereaved military family members; and has conducted training on Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) for firefighters. Burns is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and the American Academy of Bereavement (AAB), where she completed an advanced bereavement facilitator training program.
Burns provides an excellent, user-friendly guide to help school personnel navigate the tricky waters of child grief. This is a welcome resource for school professionals. -- Steve Hoff, Licensed Psychologist 20090921 The author's sensitivity and understanding of cultural variations in reactions to loss provide a much needed perspective to this important topic. -- Heta-Maria Miller, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology 20090921 A significant resource to educators as they work with children and adolescents who are dealing with grief and loss. -- Marguerite G. Lodico, Professor of Educational Psychology 20090921 Burns' book captures the wisdom, sensitivity, and gentle humor that she has used in a lifetime of work with grieving families. She teaches us to discover our own strengths as we mourn the people we have loved and lost. -- Katherine H. Voegtle, Professor of Educational Psychology 20090921 Donna Burns has written an important book for practicing professionals, especially school professionals involved with grieving children and young adults. What is a matter for profound grieving by a young person may not be recognized among adults as an issue calling for sensitive support. And, symptoms of childhood and young adult grieving are often mistaken for other issues because young people are so often indirect in the ways they channel their grief. Burns provides an excellent resource for preventing traumatic grieving, recognizing youthful grieving as it occurs, and constructively responding to grieving youth at the individual, classroom, and school levels. This book provides an excellent knowledge base on the subject, and is also an invaluable reference volume that every educational professional would do well to own. -- Margaret M. Kirwin, Dean, Lally School of Education 20090921 The best guide to dealing with loss for children that I have read. The book teaches the counselor to use life experience tools in the healing process. -- Daniel Doherty, Public Health Specialist, Disaster Preparedness Unit 20090921 For anyone dealing with grief, this book is priceless. It is perfectly suited for professionals as well as families dealing with this difficult issue. By far, it is one of the best books written on the subject because of the manner in which Burns compassionately combines human sensitivity with relevant theory and research. When you read this book, you never forget that first and foremost we are fragile human beings. Burns' wisdom, insight, kindness, and love shines through on every page. -- Stephen Birchak, Author of How to Build a Child's Character 20090924