J. Shep Jeffreys

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John Shep Jeffreys, Ed.D., F.T., is a licensed psychologist with a practice specializing in grief, loss, and end-of-life concerns; a Certified Group Psychotherapist, and a Diplomate in Family Psychology. He is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he provides seminars on loss, grief and bereavement for psychiatric residents and medical students; and is Affiliate Assistant Professor of pastoral counseling, Loyola University, Maryland, where he teaches the Loss and Bereavement course. He is on the staff of the Department of Psychiatry, Howard County General Hospital. He has served as trainer and workshop leader with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the United States, Canada, and overseas, and as consulting psychologist for the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service. Shep has worked as an individual and group psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric settings. He serves as staff development consultant and trainer for hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, educational and religious organizations, and corporations. Shep is a frequent speaker at his local Bereaved Parents USA chapter. He is a spiritual leader in his community and also serves as chaplain on call at Howard County General Hospital. He has spoken locally and nationally and has authored several books and articles for various publications. In his consultation service, Shep has assisted organizations dealing with the aftermath of 9-11 (both private corporations as well as the New York City Fire Department’s HazMat first responders). Further, he is called upon to assist employees with the grief and loss consequences of organizational downsizing and other change; and also provides grief counseling and group support for workplace co-worker and/or family death and serious illness. He is the author of Helping Grieving People–When Tears Are Not Enough: A Handbook For Care Providers; and of Coping With Workplace Grief: Dealing With, Loss, Trauma, and Change. His column, Grief Psychologist’s Corner, is a regular feature in Living With Loss magazine. After the death of his son, Steven, from cancer, his family formed the Steven Daniel Jeffreys Foundation, which has provided such programs as grief counseling, workshops, community education, children’s groups and a referral service. He is married, has two surviving children and five grandchildren.