Understanding the Journey: A Lifespan Approach to Working with Grieving People

The death of a loved one is a traumatic event for both adults and children.  Grieving has no rules, no prescribed course, or expiration date. After a death, the feelings and experiences that follow can be extremely overwhelming and confusing.  The authors of this book create a supportive environment that normalizes the phases of grief through clinical expertise, including a lifespan approach that indicates grief is certainly a journey from which none of us ever escapes nor perhaps reaches closure.  This is an important work that addresses the spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of a person’s grief.  Specific topics include:  the physical aspects of grief; anticipatory grief;  grief through a child’s eyes;  understanding grief and spirituality; counseling the bereaved adult; adult grief support groups; death in a military family; counseling grieving children and traumatic loss; messages of mourning; using art to facilitate a child’s expression of grief; and the importance of self-care.  In addition, numerous case examples describing real-life experiences are discussed, helping to enhance coping and encourage healing.  The text is further enhanced by an appendix containing a wealth of information that includes sample group activities. This book will be a significant resource for mental health professionals, grief counselors, human service providers, social workers, clergy, nurses, and lay volunteers.