Article on the Work of Dr. M. Katherine Shear Wins NASW Media Prize
An article in Parade Magazine featuring the work of a member of the School of Social Work’s faculty, Dr. M. Katherine Shear, has won the 2014 award for “Best Magazine Article” from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The article, called “A Grief That Won’t Heal,” reported that one out of 10 people experience a form of grief so deep it does not go away and can get even worse. The reporter, Gretchen Reynolds, interviewed Dr. Shear about the therapy regime she has developed at the School of Social Work that helps clients overcome such deep grief.
"Gretchen Reynolds’ story on Dr. Shear's study of complicated grief resonated deeply with our readers and, it turns out, with those in the field, as our piece has been nominated by the National Association of Social Workers for a media award," said Maggie Murphy, editor of Parade and a member of the Dean Jeanette Takamura's advisory council. "We are honored to have brought national attention to Dr. Shear 's vital efforts, which underscore the kind of life-changing research being done at the Columbia School of Social Work on a daily basis."
NASW’s Media Awards, now in their third year, recognize media professionals and outlets that help raise awareness about social work and social work issues. The 2014 recipients included documentary filmmakers, television producers, bloggers, newspaper reporters, columnists and other media professionals who helped spotlight social work services and critical social issues in 2013.
Dr. M. Katherine Shear is the Marion E. Kenworthy Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia School of Social Work and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is the director of Columbia University’s Center for Complicated Grief, which is based at the School of Social Work.
Related links:
- "How To: Cultivate Self-Compassion: Learning to treat our grieving selves with greater kindness—and why it matters," an interview with Dr. Shear by Gabrielle Birkner, for Modern Loss (blog), 16 May 2014.
- "Love, Loss and Grief," the 2nd Annual Valerie Fund Educational Seminar (video), published on YouTube 1 May 2014.
- "A New Treatment Program for the Grief That Won't End," by Simone Scully, Spectrum magazine, Winter 2013.
