2021 NJPN Conference Program Book

DAVID KESSLER Author|Founder of Grief.com

David Kessler is the world’s foremost expert on grief and loss. His experience with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a happy and fulfilled life, even afterlife’s tragedies. He is the author of six books, including the new bestselling book, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. His books and work have received praise by so many, including Saint (Mother) Teresa. David’s personal experience as a child witnessing a mass shooting while his mother was dying in a hospital helped him begin his journey. For most of his life, David has taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about the end of life, trauma, and grief. He facilitates talks, workshops and retreats for those experiencing grief. However, despite his vast knowledge on grief, his life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. It inspired him to write his newest book, Finding Meaning. David’s volunteer work includes being an LAPD Specialist Reserve for traumatic events as well as having served on the Red Cross’s disaster services team. He is the founder of www.grief.comwhich has over five million visits yearly from 167 countries. Dr. Steven D Kniffley Jr. is the Associate Director for the Center for Behavioral Health and an Assistant Professor in Spalding University’s School of Professional Psychology and the coordinator for the Collective Care Center -- a racial trauma clinic. Steven received my doctorate and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Spalding University where he specialized in child, adolescent, and family therapy. Steven completed his post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School and holds a Master’s in Public administration fromWright State University. With expertise in research and clinical work with Black males, Steven specifically focuses on understanding and developing culturally appropriate interventions for Black male psychopathology, as well as barriers to academic success for this population. Additionally, Steven conducts research and clinical work on the challenges related to the experience of racial trauma and has developed a treatment protocol for the experience of racial trauma and train clinicians in the implementation of the protocol. As an educational consultant, he has worked internationally with students and school administrators in South Africa and India. He serves as an organizational diversity consultant and works with law enforcement departments on addressing conflicts between communities of color and police officers STEVEN D. KNIFFLEY JR., PSYD. Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Collective Care Center (Racial Trauma Clinic) | Spalding University

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