The Journal of the American Medical Association recognizes that for every person that dies yearly in the United States, an estimated five people are connected to that person and grieve the loss. Grief is a natural reaction to loss that does not necessarily require counseling; however, in some cases grief may become severe and debilitating, and is referred to as complicated grief, according to the Mayo Clinic. Counseling for loss may offer an outlet for managing the painful emotions associated with grief.
Companion Model of Bereavement
According to the Office of Mental Health in New York, the companion model of bereavement focuses on the counselor acting in the role of companion to the bereaved. This method of counseling offers a means for the survivor to honor the spirit of his loved one and the painful emotions associated with the loss. The counselor is considered a caregiver and uses the strategies of attentive and supportive listening to explore the impact of the loss. Education about the process of bereavement as well as teaching the bereaved how to deal with the trauma of the loss are also important parts of this counseling strategy. Validation of the survivor's feelings and reassurance that grief is a normal part of the loss maintain primary focuses in this counseling process. This differs from traditional psychotherapy in that the counselor is a caregiving equal rather than a leader or guide.
Complicated Grief Therapy
When grief prevents someone from participating in daily life, complicated grief counseling may help. Complicated grief therapy combines cognitive-behavioral therapy and trauma-therapy strategies to facilitate healing. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves learning the connection between thoughts and emotions in order to change unhealthy behavior. Trauma therapy teaches a means for managing the arousal symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, also associated with complicated grief. According to Harvard Medical School, a significant portion of the complicated grief counseling process centers around the bereaved telling the story of her loss, tape-recording the story and listening to the story repeatedly. This process is termed imaginal exposure, and may help the survivor learn to confront the loss.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a traditional means for counseling normal grief and loss. Traditional psychotherapy strategies involve the roles of compassionate guide and active listener. Validating the personal loss experienced by the bereaved is an important part of the process; it's also important for the counselor to recognize the stage of grief the survivor is experiencing. As the bereaved goes through different stages the counselor has an active role in helping him identify what he is experiencing by teaching and supporting the individual, while assuring him that his feelings are normal.
