Thanatology is the study of death, dying, grief, and loss, but what does a career in the field actually look like? In this episode, Dr. Korie Leigh breaks down the real experience of working as a thanatologist, from pediatric hospice rooms and grief counseling to academic research and the growing (and unregulated) death doula movement. You’ll hear what the emotional toll feels like, how vicarious trauma nearly ended her career, why hospice volunteering is the essential first step, and what credentials actually matter in a field where anyone can hang a shingle after a weekend workshop.
CONNECT WITH US
WEBSITE: http://www.UnboxingCareersPodcast.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/unboxingcareers
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/unboxingcareerspodcast/
CONNECT WITH DR. KORIE LEIGH
WEBSITE: https://www.korieleighphd.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drkorieleigh/
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korie-leigh-phd-ccls-ft-99a5073a/
MARIAN UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC PROGRAM: https://de2c37f03c.nxcli.io/online-programs/ms-thanatology/
ADEC WEBSITE: https://www.adec.org/
BOOKS:
➤ When everything changes: Parenting through loss and grief: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-everything-changes-parenting-through-loss-and-grief-korie-leigh/53345bcfb57de3f2
➤ What does grief feel like? A psychotherapeutic children's book about grief: https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-does-grief-feel-like-korie-leigh/b9a672bf393e2fec
➤ It Won't Ever be the Same: A Teen's Guide to Grief and Grieving: https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-won-t-ever-be-the-same-a-teen-s-guide-to-grief-and-grieving-korie-leigh/1eaedac67c995c99
WHAT WE DISCUSS
➤ What Is a Thanatologist and What Does the Field Cover?
➤ What Are the Different Career Paths Within Thanatology?
➤ What Education and Credentials Do You Need to Become a Thanatologist?
➤ How Do You Get Hands-On Experience Before Committing to the Field?
➤ What Does a Typical Day Look Like in Thanatology?
➤ What Are the Essential Skills for Working in End-of-Life and Grief Care?
➤ What Is the Emotional Toll of Working with Death and Grief Every Day?
➤ What Are the Biggest Misconceptions About Working in Thanatology?
➤ Is There Growing Demand for Thanatology Professionals?