Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Darcy Harris
Associate Professor, Full-time Faculty
Thanatology Coordinator
Department of Interdisciplinary Programs
King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada
DEGREES:
Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentration in Psychology and
Specialization in Thanatology and Women’s Reproductive Health
Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio November, 2008
M.Ed. Education -Counselling Psychology
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
Graduated with Distinction June, 1998
Certificate in Palliative Care and Thanatology
. University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario June, 1996
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Graduated Summa Cum Laude 1979- 1981
Completed pre-professional requirements, Accelerated program.
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 1978- 1979
Graduated from Boone High School, Orlando, Florida
Salutatorian of class. 1978
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2006 – present: Adjunct Clinical Professor, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Western Ontario
July, 2003 – present: Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Thanatology, King’s University College, London, Ontario.
Jan 1996 – present: Private Practice, London, Ontario
Private counselling/therapy practice for individual counselling; emphasis on loss, grief, and transition. Co-facilitated weekly Bereavement Group from 1998-2004.
May1996 –July2003: King’s University College, London Ontario
Thanatology Program; Part-time instructor and field placement
Coordinator.
May 2002-June 2005: Southern Ontario Fertility Technologies Centre, London, Ontario. Facilitated infertility support group for individuals and couples.
Sept 1998 –Oct 2007: London Interfaith Counselling Centre,
London, Ontario. Contract counselling position for clients with
various issues; specialization in grief, loss, transition, and spiritual abuse.
Sept 1997- Apr 1998: Student Development Centre,
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
Padric Smythe, Ph.D., Clinical Supervisor
Internship during M.Ed. program, providing individual counselling to students with varying issues as well as group counselling for specific concerns.
Sept 1995- Jan 1997: London Interfaith Counselling Centre,
London, Ontario
Field placement through the Thanatology and Palliative Care Certificate Program to help develop a community-wide bereavement service. Later, stayed on in a supportive counselling function under
supervision providing client intakes, offering supportive counselling, and organizing/facilitating bereavement groups.
Apr 1994- Jan 1996: London Regional Cancer Centre, London, Ontario
Employment in a cancer centre as a float/ part-time nurse through all
clinical areas. Duties included treatment review, chemotherapy administration, phone support, and patient teaching/ support.
May 1994-1996: Hospice of London, London, Ontario
Patient and family volunteer as well as bereavement training for phone
and follow up support.
1987 – 1993: Hematology- Oncology Associates of Northwest Florida,
Tallahassee, Florida
Advanced primary nurse position (Oncology Certified Nurse through the International Oncology Nursing Society) involving patient interviewing, support, and teaching. Followed patients and their families through the course of diagnosis, treatment, and follow up care. Chemotherapy administration, triage phone calls and phone support, community networking and referrals. Taught chemotherapy certification courses to affiliated healthcare agencies.
1987 – 1993: Big Bend Hospice, Tallahassee, Florida
After hours triage of phone calls and support to patients with terminal
illness and their families. Home visits for assessment and support during illness, death events, and bereavement care. Facilitated bereavement support groups for family members.
1984 – 1987: Tallahassee Neurological Clinic, Tallahassee, Florida
Neurophysiologic testing, interviewing patients, triage phone calls,
and community referrals. Work involved support of patients with chronic
pain and disability.
1983 – 1984: Tallahassee Community Hospital, Tallahassee, Florida
Charge nurse in ICU/CCU area. High-acuity patients and knowledge of
critical care. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification.
1981 – 1983: Montgomery County Hospital, Blacksburg, Virginia
Team leading in Medical/ Surgical area.
Charge nurse in ICU/ CCU area.
1979 – 1981: Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida
Medical/ Oncology unit.
Responsibilities in daily care and team leading. Developed patient teaching tool for radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
ACADEMIC HONOURS:
2009-2010: Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, King’s University College
2008-2009: Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, King’s University College
2007-2008: Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, King’s University College
2007: Fellow in Thanatology (FT), Association for Death Education and Counselling
2006-2007: Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, King’s University College
2005-2006: Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, King’s University College
2004-2005: Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, King’s University College
1997, 1998: Graduate Tuition Scholarship and Special University Scholarship
for academic achievement, University of Western Ontario
1996: Graduate Tuition Scholarship and Special University Scholarship for academic achievement, University of Western Ontario
1992: Certification in Oncology Nursing (O.C.N.) by the Oncology Nursing
Society (International)
1983: Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
1981: Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, International Honour Society of Nursing.
SCHOLARLY and PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:
2010: Board member, Association for Death Education and Counseling
2011: Development of the Honors Specialization in Thanatology, King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada.
2009-11: Co-chair, Association for Death Education and Counselling 33rd annual meeting and combined international meeting to be held in Miami, Florida, 2011.
2009: Development of the Major and the Minor Modules in Thanatology at King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada.
2007-present: Ethics Committee, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, London, Ontario
2003-2004: Quality Assurance Advisory Panel, Chelsey Park Long Term Care Facility, London, Ontario.
Feb-Jul 2003: Consulting/Advisory to Fanshawe Community College
Bereavement Support Program, London, Ontario.
2000-2003: Chair, London Bereavement Services Committee
Memberships:
2003- present: Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
1999 –2003: Member, London Palliative Care Committee
1999 –2003: Member, King’s College Centre for Education About Death and
Bereavement
1999- present: Member, Canadian Bioethics Society
1999- present: Member, Association for Humanistic Psychology
1998- present: Member, Association for Death Education and Counselling
1998- present: Member, Bereavement Ontario Network
1997- present: Member, Canadian Counselling Association
1997: Community Member, Body Mind Center, London, Ontario
1996-present: Member, Bereavement Services Committee for London Interfaith Counselling
Centre
1994: Member of the Ontario Palliative Care Association
1993: Registered Nurse; College of Nurses of Ontario
1987: Member of the Oncology Nursing Society (International)
1981: Registered Nurse; Florida Department of Health and Human Services
Courses Taught in Association With Grief and Bereavement Studies Program (Thanatology Program), King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada:
Interpreting Change, Loss, and Transition (Thanatology 2234)
Survey of Thanatology (Thanatology 2200)
Communicating With the Dying and the Bereaved (GRBV 6002)
Grief Counselling and Intervention (Thanatology 3321)
Bereavement Theories and Interventions (Thanatology 2231)
Advanced Palliative Care Principles and Practices (GRBV 6004)
Field Placement in Palliative Care and Thanatology (Thanatology 3360)
Crisis Response/ Grief and Trauma (GRBV 6001)
Professional and Professional Issues in Death, Dying, and Bereavement Work (GRBV 6006)
Edited Books
Harris, D., & Winokuer, H. (2011 release, in press). Grief Counseling and Intervention. NY: Springer.
Book Chapters
Boss, P., Roos, S., & Harris, D. (2011 release, in press). Grief in the midst of ambiguity and uncertainty: An exploration of ambiguous loss and chronic sorrow. In Neimeiyer, R., Harris, D., Thornton, G., & Winokuer, H. (Eds.) Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society: Bridging Research and Practice. Routledge
Schultz, C., & Harris, D. (2011 release, in press). Giving voice to nonfinite loss and grief in bereavement. In Neimeiyer, R., Harris, D., Thornton, G., & Winokuer, H. (Eds.) Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society: Bridging Research and Practice. Routledge
Harris, D. (2010). Introduction: The dynamics of loss, change, and transition. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge.
Harris, D. (2010). The Social Context of Loss and Grief. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge
Harris, D. (2010). Dissolution of Intimate Relationships. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge
Harris, D. (2010). Infertility and reproductive loss. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge
Harris, D., & Isenor, J. (2010). Loss of Employment. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge
Harris, D. (2010). Meaning-making and the assumptive world. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge
Harris, D. (2010). Concluding thoughts: Integrating loss in everyday life. In Harris, D. (Ed.) Counting Our Losses: Reflecting on Change, Loss, and Transition in Everyday Life. Routledge
Harris, D. (2010). Healing the narcissistic injury of death in the context of western society In Kauffman, J. (Ed.) The shame of death, grief, and trauma (pp.75-85). Routledge.
Nichols, D. (2002). Social Support for the Bereaved: Some Practical Suggestions. In Morgan, J. D. (Ed.) Social Support: A Reflection of Humanity (pp. 33-44). Baywood Publishing Company, Amityville, NY.
Refereed Publications
Fernandez, R., Harris, D. & Leschied, A. (in press) Understanding Grief Following Pregnancy Loss: Coping Across the Lifespan. Illness, Crisis, and Loss.
Harris, D. (2010). The Experience of Spontaneous Pregnancy Loss for Infertile Women Who
Have Conceived through Assisted Reproductive Technology.” Human Reproduction 25(3), 714-720.
Harris, D. (2009-10). Oppression of the Bereaved: A Critical Analysis of Death and Grief in Western Culture. Omega, 60(3), 241-253.
Harris, D. (2009). Fragmented Answers: Recounting Lucy Grealy’s Story: An Analysis. The
Forum: Professional Publication of the Association for Death Education and Counselling, 35(3).
Harris, D. (2009). Gender Stereotyping and Oppression in Grief. The Forum: Professional
Publication of the Association for Death Education and Counselling, 35(2).
Harris, D. (2008). Online Death Education: The Agony and the Ecstasy. The Forum: Professional Publication of the Association for Death Education and Counselling, 34(1)
Harris, D. (2007). Bridging the Gap: Continuing the Dialogue Between Clinicians and Researchers in Bereavement. The Forum: Professional Publication of the Association for Death Education and Counselling, 33(1)
Nichols, D. (2005) Dying At Grace. The Gerontologist 45(1), p.141-143.
Nichols, D. (1998, December). Getting Through the Holidays When You’re Grieving. Bereavement Ontario Network.
Nichols, D. (1997). Book review: “Armfuls of Time”. Journal of Palliative Care 13(2)
Nichols, D. (1996). Bereavement: The Two Sides of the Coin. Connecting 2, p. 2.
Referred Conference Proceedings
Harris, D. (2010, November 3). Navigating Loss and Transition in Later Life. 8th Annual Geriatric Psychiatry Symposium, London, Ontario (Plenary).
Harris, D. (2010, October 20). The Many Shapes of Grief. London/Middlesex Palliative Care Association Refresher Day, London, Ontario (Plenary).
Harris, D. (2010, October 20). Ebb and Flow: Adjusting to Movement, Change, and Loss. Bereavement Ontario Network 20th annual conference, Orillia, Ontario (Plenary).
Harris, D. (2010, April 9). Chronic Sorrow and Acute Grief in Reproductive Loss. Association for Death Education and Counseling Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Noppe, I., Harris, D., Thompson, B., & Moore, J. (2010, April 9). Teaching That Matters: Death Education and Interdisciplinarity. Association for Death Education and Counseling Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Harris, D. (2009, October, 15). Awareness and Reflective Practice in Working with Bereaved Individuals. Bereavement Ontario Network 19th annual conference, Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D., Hunter, B. & Kauffman, J. (2009, April, 18). The Gift of Presence in Helping Bereaved Individuals. Association for Death Education and Counselling Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, USA
Moore, J., Harris, D., Gilbert, K., Attig, T. & Gorman, E. (2009, April, 16). Death Education
Online: Lessons Learned- Panel Discussion. Association for Death Education and Counselling Annual conference. Dallas, Texas, USA.
Harris, D. (2009, February 27). The Experience of Spontaneous Pregnancy Loss in Infertile Women Who Have Conceived with the Assistance of Medical Intervention. Presentation of research findings, faculty research seminar, King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D. (2008, April, 25). Oppression of the Bereaved: A Critical Analysis of Grief in Western Society. Association for Death Education and Counselling, Annual conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D. (2007, October, 25). When the Womb is the Tomb: Understanding the Impact of Reproductive Loss. Presentation for the Bereavement Ontario Network 17th Annual Conference, Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2007, October, 18). Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue: Being Human in
Difficult Situations. Presentation for the Ontario Community Justice Association
Conference, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2007, April, 24). Complicated Grief: When is “Normal Grief” Not Normal?
Presentation at the Annual Ontario Provincial Conference on Palliative and End-of-Life
Care, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2007, April, 13). Effective Online Death Education: Strategies and Issues. Symposium on death education sponsored by the Association for Death Education and Counselling Annual conference, Indianapolis, IL, USA.
Harris, D. (2007, April, 12). Bridging the Gap: Clinicians Respond to Researchers. Half-day
workshop for clinicians and researchers in Thanatology at the Association for Death Education and Counselling Annual conference, Indianapolis, IL, USA.
Nichols, D. (2005, September, 20). Using Sand Tray Therapy to Facilitate Grief. Bereavement
Ontario Network Annual Conference, Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D. (2005, April, 3). When Words Fail: Use of the Sand Tray in Grief Therapy. Association for Death, Education, and Counselling Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
Nichols, D. (2004, September, 16). Exploring Rituals in Mourning. Bereavement Ontario Network Conference. Location
Nichols, D. (2004, May, 15). Facilitating the Emotions Associated With the Grieving Process.
London Ontario Grief Resource Centre Conference on Death and Bereavement. London, Ontario, Canada
Nichols, D. (2003, September, 18). Grief and Loss in the Caregiver Population—The Caregiver’s Journey Through Loss. Bereavement Ontario Network Conference, plenary session, Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
Other workshops and Presentations
Harris, D. (2010,) Family Dynamics and the Grieving Process. Victorian Order of Nurses Palliative Care Information Day, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2009, October 6). Finding Shelter in the Storm: Coping With Losses Related to
Unemployment. Life Losses Educational Information Fair, Bereavement Services Committee of London Sponsored Community Event, London Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2009, March, 24) The Intersection of Eastern Thought With Western Psychology:
Mindfulness in Working With Clients in Counselling Practice. Guest lectureship in Psych
3366E, Therapeutic Counselling, King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2009, February, 3). Grieving Unseen Losses in Daily Life. Presentation for the Family Service Network for the London Mental Health Coalition, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2009, April, 3 & 2008, November, 21). Dealing with Everyday Losses in Life.
Presentation for TASK orientation day, King’s University College, London, Ontario, Canada
Harris, D. (2008, November, 12). Using Mindfulness in Helping Professions. Presentation for
governmental service sector workers and support services, sponsored by Daya Counselling Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2008, October, 8). After the Worst Has Happened. Presentation for Bereaved Families of Ontario, Southwest Region, London, Ontario, Canada
Harris, D. (2008, April, 23). Realizing the Impact of Everyday Losses: When What Dies is Inside of You. Seminar presented to Ontario Works, Human Resources Canada, and service sector workers in London, Ontario, Canada
Harris, D. (2007, June, 9). Critical Analysis of Grief in Western Society. Graduate seminar
presentation, Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Harris, D. (2007, March, 30) Working Through Caregiver Grief and Loss Issues. Day-long
workshop for Woolwich Region Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2007, February, 26). Helping Caregivers in Stressful Work Situations Related to Loss. Presentation to the WOTCH community, London, Ontario, Canada
Harris, D. (2007, January, 28). Getting Through Grief in its Various Forms. Presentation to
Valleyview Mennonite Church, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris, D. (2007, January, 25). Helping Grieving Clients. Seminar presented to Ontario Works,
Human Resources Canada, and service sector workers in London, Ontario, Canada
Harris-Nichols, D.(2006, October, 17). Communication With Terminally Ill and Bereaved Individuals. Seminar presented for the Huron County Palliative Care Committee, Clinton Public Hospital, Clinton, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2006, June, 12). Ethical Issues in Reproductive Loss. Presentation to Graduate seminar, Union Institute and University, Montpelier, VT, USA.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2006, April, 29). Chronic Sorrow in Lifespan Losses. Seminar presented for
Doctoral/graduate students at the University of Western Ontario, London Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2006, April, 28). Losses across the Lifespan. Seminar presented for Doctoral/graduate students at the University of Western Ontario, London Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2006, April, 27). Grief Trends: Current Theoretical and Research Issues in
Bereavement. Seminar presented for Doctoral/graduate students at the University of Western Ontario, London Ontario, Canada
Harris-Nichols, D.(2005, October, 18). Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatization in Bereavement Work. Day-long workshop for Guelph Region
Bereavement Network Professionals, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2005, April, 28). The Caregiver’s Journey Through Loss. Chatham Area Bereavement Resource Council. Chatham Area CCAC office, Chatham, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2005, May, 2) London Regional Cancer Centre Caregiver Retreat facilitation of small group work regarding personal loss issues. Sunningdale Golf & Country Club, London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.( 2005, April, 27). Getting Through Your Grief. Community lecture, Memorial Funeral Home. London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2005, March, 21). Grief, Trauma, and Addictions. Addiction Services of Thames Valley. Day-long workshop. London, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D. (2005, March, 4). Self Care and Secondary Traumatization in Palliative Care Workers. Guelph Palliative Care Committee, Day-long workshop, Guelph Community Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Harris-Nichols, D.(2004, December, 10). Grief 101. King’s University College, Guidance Counsellor Orientation, interactive discussion regarding grief and bereavement issues pertinent to secondary school students. London, Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(2004, October, 16) Basic Principles in Grief and Bereavement. Hospice of London,
Palliative Care Level One Training. London, Ontario, Canda.
Nichols, D.(2004, May, 7). Exploring Grief and Facilitating Healthy Grief work in clients and in
helpers. Niagara Bereavement Resource Council. Thorold, Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(2004, May, 7). Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatization in
Professional Helpers: A Review of Current Findings. Hamilton Palliative Care Network,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(2004, February). What to Know About Grief. Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Publications
Nichols, D.(2003, October, 23 & 24). Helping Grieving Individuals, Facilitating Strong Emotional States, and Self Care for Professional Caregivers. Nippissing College, North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(2003, September, 20). Getting Through Your Grief. Western Centre for Continuing
Studies, University of Western Ontario, London Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(2003, May, 22). Grief and the Elderly. Eternal Partnership Service Organization
Presentation, Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(2003, May, 9). Helping Grieving Individuals. Palliative Care Level One presentation, Tillsonburg General Hospital, Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada
Nichols, D. (2003, April). Communicating Effectively With Dying Patients and Their Families.
Continuing Medical Education (Palliative Care Level 2) for the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Nichols, D. (2003, April). Helping Individuals Experiencing Sudden, Unexpected Loss. Presentation for Victim Services London Orientation, London Ontario, Canada.
Nichols, D.(1998-2003). Grief and Bereavement for Palliative Care Workers. Recurring educational series for completion of Palliative Level 1 educational requirement.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Chronic sorrow and nonfinite losses
Critical analysis of Thanatology-related issues
Models of grief in women’s reproductive health
Models of grief in non-death loss
Patient advocacy in health care treatment
Self care behaviors and attitudes in helping professionals
Social Justice and Diversity in Thanatology
Current Project Topics Under Development:
The role of technology and attachment in pregnancy loss
The Experience of grief in nonfinite/ non-death losses
Effects of intervention in job-loss grief
Reflective practice in clinical settings with clients and family members in liminal states
