Grief Counseling: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy

What Is Grief Counseling?

Grief counseling, also known as bereavement therapy, is a type of therapy designed to assist individuals in coping with loss, such as the death of a loved one, a friend, a colleague, or even a pet. The loss of a loved one can cause both emotional and physical pain, potentially impairing one's ability to function. Grief counseling involves working with a therapist, counselor, or support group to address and process these feelings. In the short term, grief counseling can provide guidance in navigating the aftermath of a loss and making practical decisions, such as funeral arrangements. In the long term, it can help individuals accept the loss and adapt to life without their loved one.

Types of Grief Counseling

Grief counseling can be beneficial for individuals of all ages experiencing sorrow and other emotions as part of the normal reaction to losing someone. However, certain individuals may benefit from other forms of therapy if their grief is overwhelming and difficult to cope with. Below are some options available:

• Grief Therapy: This type of therapy addresses behavioral and physical problems that may arise in the aftermath of a loss. It can also be helpful for individuals who struggle to separate themselves emotionally from the deceased person.

• Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT): Complicated grief is a condition where grief takes hold and becomes persistent. It can lead to troubling thoughts, dysfunctional behaviors, and difficulty regulating emotions, making adaptation to life without the loved one challenging. CGT is a form of psychotherapy specifically designed to address complicated grief.

• Traumatic Grief Therapy: This therapy is suitable for individuals who have experienced the sudden loss of a loved one or have witnessed their death. Traumatic grief therapy aims to help individuals cope with the intensity of their grief, reduce symptoms of trauma, and equip them with coping skills.

Techniques

Grief counseling involves discussing the person who has been lost, the relationship with them, the circumstances of their death, the impact of the loss, and how the individual is coping with it. Some techniques that grief counselors or therapists may utilize include:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT encourages individuals to accept negative feelings and circumstances to focus on healthier patterns that can help them achieve their goals.

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): CBT is another form of psychotherapy. It involves identifying and modifying thought patterns that negatively influence behavior.

• Group Therapy: This therapy is conducted in a group setting. Sharing feelings with others who are going through a similar experience can be comforting and provide support in working towards recovery together.

• Art Therapy: Art therapy uses creative forms to express emotions and promote healing. It can be beneficial for individuals of all ages, including children who may struggle to communicate their feelings verbally.

• Play Therapy: Play therapy is often used with children to gain insights into their thoughts and feelings. It helps them process unresolved emotions and develop constructive behavior patterns.

What Grief Counseling Can Help With

Grief counseling can assist individuals in identifying and expressing their emotions. When someone has lost a significant part of their life, grief counseling can also help them rebuild their routine and redefine their identity.

• Expressing Emotions: In the aftermath of a loss, individuals may experience a range of emotions, including shock, numbness, sorrow, yearning, anger, denial, helplessness, regret, guilt, anxiety, and more. It can be challenging to admit these feelings to others or even to oneself. Grief counseling provides a safe space for individuals to express and process their emotions, enabling them to begin the healing process.

• Rebuilding Routine: If the deceased person was an integral part of an individual's daily routine, certain spaces or activities without them can be challenging to navigate. Grief counseling can address anxiety around these issues, develop a plan to tackle them at a comfortable pace, and gradually rebuild a routine.

• Redefining Identity: Losing someone close can lead to feelings of losing a part of one's own identity. Grief counseling can help individuals redefine their identity by encouraging them to explore other interests or relationships, providing them with the skills and confidence to try new activities, reach out to others, and build a support system.

Benefits of Grief Counseling

Grief counseling offers several benefits, including:

• Reduced physical and emotional symptoms

• Development of coping skills for adapting to life without the loved one

• Improved self-awareness, enabling individuals to understand their feelings and why they are experiencing them

• Acceptance of the loss, integrating it into reality while maintaining a healthy bond with the deceased person as individuals move forward with their lives

Effectiveness

Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of grief counseling in managing grief and facilitating healing. A 2017 study published in the journal Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy found that individuals who participated in grief counseling after losing a partner or close relative reported fewer symptoms in the long run, suggesting its long-term benefits.

Another study published in 2015 in the journal Counseling & Psychotherapy Research revealed that participants in bereavement counseling felt it was easier to talk to someone outside their family or friend circle, found it helpful to have their experiences normalized and validated, and appreciated having unhelpful thinking patterns, such as those related to guilt or anger, challenged.

Things to Consider

Not everyone requires grief counseling to cope with the loss of a loved one, but it can be a valuable tool, especially for those struggling with difficult emotions or finding it challenging to move forward with their lives. Individuals experiencing depression, traumatic grief, complicated grief, or other physical or behavioral issues related to their loss may benefit from other forms of therapy more suited to their needs.

How to Get Started

Individuals considering grief counseling can choose between individual sessions with a counselor or group sessions with a support group. Depending on personal preferences, individual sessions offer more privacy and one-on-one interaction, while group sessions provide reassurance and inspiration from others' progress.

Hospices and hospitals often offer grief counseling services. Additionally, family, friends, or employers may be able to provide referrals. Primary care physicians can also recommend qualified professionals. It is advisable to contact an insurance provider to determine coverage for grief counseling services and the specific practitioner.