Topic Overview
Grief counselling is short term and focuses on working through the grieving process related to a major loss. Grief counselling is also called bereavement counselling. The term "bereavement" usually is used only when referring to the loss of a person through death.
Grief counselling typically has four components:
- Learning about grief and what to expect when grieving. In grief counselling, people are taught the normal grieving process, including expected feelings and thoughts. They are also taught how to tell the difference between normal grieving and other conditions, such as depression, that can develop from grieving.
- Expressing feelings. People are encouraged in grief counselling to express all their feelings, whatever they may be. Sometimes people who are having trouble expressing their feelings are encouraged to talk about their loss or to use other means of expressing themselves. For example, they may be asked to speak with the lost person as though he or she were there. Other techniques that help people express their feelings include writing letters about their loss or writing to the lost person, looking at photos and remembering the lost loved one or object, or visiting the grave of a loved one who has died.
- Building new relationships. This component of grief counselling helps people develop a new relationship with the lost person or object. Memories usually linger for years and can sometimes be troubling, so emphasis is placed on learning how to incorporate memories of the past into the present.
-
Developing a new identity. During grief counselling, people are taught how to develop a new sense of self after a loss. For example:
- A man who loses his only sibling strengthens his self-perception as a grandfather and a volunteer instead of as a brother.
- A widow who has lost her husband of 45 years begins meeting with other women in her building for tea every morning.
Related Information
Credits
Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Sidney Zisook MD - Psychiatry
Jean S. Kutner MD, MSPH - Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
- Top of the page
Next Section:
Related Information
Previous Section:
Topic Overview- Top of the page
Next Section:
Credits
Previous Section:
Related Information- Top of the page
Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Sidney Zisook MD - Psychiatry & Jean S. Kutner MD, MSPH - Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine