Bereaved students are sometimes described as “hidden grievers” due to their neglect in bereavement research, policy, and practice. A research study quotes figures estimating that 22-30% of full-time US students are bereaved at any given time. However, very little is… Continue reading
Current professional literature highlights that the death of a child is followed by a grief process that is unique to parents and may be lifelong. A research study, with a sample of 43 bereaved parents, highlighted a continuing connection between… Continue reading
A new study looking into bereavement support during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights that deaths due to COVID-19 are associated with risk factors that can lead to prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) outcomes among relatives. Approximately one… Continue reading
Whilst the psychotherapist cannot change a client’s circumstances following a bereavement, the role of the psychotherapist in bereavement counselling covers a number of areas. Based on Bowlby’s attachment theory model, the primary role of the therapist is to provide the… Continue reading
The primary function of a ritual is to mark a transition from one reality into a new one. Rituals during or after grieving are activities we take part in to give us meaning by providing a symbolic connection to those… Continue reading
An in-depth investigation of bereaved clients identified a range of helpful aspects of bereavement counselling: The skilled listening of a counsellor: Participants spoke about how important it was that the counsellor be attentive and listening. They valued the counsellor’s way… Continue reading
Research findings show the value of religion and spirituality for many individuals and addressing them in bereavement counselling and psychotherapy can be meaningful and impactful. Large portions of the population participate in an organised religion, believe in God or a… Continue reading
All participants in a 2016 study (McCormick and Tassell-Matamua, 2016) described some form of personal growth from after-death communication (ADC) and spoke about a sense of spiritual reassurance, benevolence, a desire to learn and share with others, a sense of… Continue reading
This is my MA Psychotherapy Research Day Presentation at Leeds Beckett University. My project was an Interpretative Phenomenological Study (IPA) of counsellor’s experiences of working with bereaved clients who want to talk about an of End-of-Life phenomena experience they may… Continue reading