Field Trial of a Complicated Grief Psychosocial Program for Adolescents in Occupied Palestine

The current study evaluated the new “Children and Grief” program for Palestinian adolescents (n = 158), aged 10–18, referred to counselors for complicated grief. A mixed methods quasi-experimental design involved non-randomized intervention group (n = 79), waitlist (n = 79), and measures of program fidelity and cost. Traumatic loss was identified from case files. Standardized measures assessed complicated grief, posttraumatic stress, and depression at pre and post-test. Interviews of 9 adolescents and 9 presenters explored subjective experience of program delivery. Analysis involved multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and quasi-qualitative analysis of interviews. A large effect size was found for reduced complicated grief. Randomized control trials, longitudinal research, and studies that explore the impact of martyrdom on coping with grief are needed.     

Post‐Traumatic Growth and Optimism as Outcomes of an Internet‐Based Intervention for Complicated Grief

This explorative study examines the effects of an internet‐based cognitive‐behavioural therapy for complicated grief on post‐traumatic growth and optimism. The study is part of a larger randomized controlled trial described in Wagner, Knaevelsrud, and Maercker (2006) Wagner, B., Knaevelsrud, C. and Maercker, A. 2006. Internet‐based cognitive‐behavioral therapy for complicated grief: a randomized controlled trial.. Death Studies, 30: 429–453. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. The patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n = 26) or a waiting list control condition (n = 25). The internet‐based intervention consisted of exposure to bereavement cues, cognitive reappraisal exercises, and a module on integration and restoration. A short form of the Post‐traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Life Orientation Test‐Revised (LOT‐R), and measures of complicated grief and psychopathological outcomes were administered. Results indicate that post‐traumatic growth increased in the treatment group. No treatment effect was found for optimism. These findings contribute to the growing literature on personal growth in psychotherapy.     

Bereavement Groups and Their Benefits

Abstract

This article provides a brief discussion of the various types of grief and posits that the many types, particularly disenfranchised, lend themselves to recovery through reconnection. Bereavement groups offer a particularly useful means of connection with a larger grieving community and allow validation from others along with personalization of loss. Additionally, the use of creativity creates deeper and more meaningful connections with self and others. Finally, the article ends with counseling considerations and two case examples.     

A Professor's Experience With Loss: An Autobiographical Case Study

The purpose of this article is to present an autobiographical case study chronicling a psychology professor's experience with grief and the loss of her father during the early stages of her academic career. The article highlights the obstacles faced in dealing with anticipatory grief but also demonstrates how clinicians and researchers may use adverse life circumstances to develop research and applied programs centered around their experiences. Rooted in Viktor Frankl's work on logotherapy, the author demonstrates how traumatic experiences can help psychologists find meaning and purpose in their work. Directions for future research focusing on larger scale populations are addressed.     

Cortisol Response Following Exposure Treatment for PTSD in Rape Victims

This study examined changes in salivary cortisol levels pre- to posttreatment in adult female rape victims diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) randomly assigned to be treated with either prolonged exposure therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Salivary cortisol was collected at baseline, Session 3, and Session 9. A significant decrease in salivary cortisol levels was observed in individuals classified as treatment responders in both treatment conditions. Findings suggest that successful exposure-based treatments for PTSD that result in trauma-related and depressive symptom reduction may impact the action of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis as measured by changes in level of salivary cortisol from pre- to posttreatment.     

Emotional Freedom Techniques

Abstract

Callahan (1985) developed a procedure of tapping on acupressure points for treating mental problems. Craig and Fowlie (1995) modified Callahan's procedure to a simplified version called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). EFT is easy to teach and is effective with symptoms of PTSD. This article presents EFT as an adjunct to the Critical Incident Stress Reduction debriefing procedures. The use of EFT in debriefings results in shorter and more thorough sessions. It often reduces the emotional pain of the debriefing. This paper provides complete instructions and safeguards for using EFT when debriefing in disaster situations and with other applications. Included are references for further reading and training.     

Terror,Trauma, and Bereavement

Abstract

How is interpersonal loss incurred in a terror event similar and different from loss under non-terror conditions? Because terror and bereavement are located in the individual's experience of the event, this has important implications for assessment and intervention. In the Two-Track Model of Bereavement (TTMoB), the relationship between life threat, symptomatic response, and the ongoing relationship to the deceased allow therapy to target difficulties in functioning as well as relationship to the deceased. Two case vignettes are presented to ground the discussion.     

Catastrophic Conditions in Couple Systems

SUMMARY

A presentation of case studies forms the focus for an exploration of the discovery of an abortion or adoption used as the management of an unwelcome pregnancy which occurred in the context of the marital system. Managing an impasse in the middle phase of therapy in each case led to the emergence of information which then allowed the therapist to work with the couple system to alleviate the core situation out of which presenting problems emanated. In these cases the unwelcome pregnancy had the potential to be cataclysmic to the couple system. Therefore, the possibility that a couple is concealing an abortion or an adoption should be considered by couples' therapists when there is little or no response to usual strategies for change. The reason for concealment is immaterial. What is paramount is that the therapist bring the event to the fore of treatment and work with a couple to put closure on what is generally an unresolved issue.     

Surviving and Thriving After Trauma and Loss

Abstract

Individuals and their communities experience trauma and loss during times of natural disaster. Using Hurricane Katrina as a context, the authors provide an overview of the phases of disaster coping and discuss the ambiguous losses that can occur during these traumatic and life-changing times. The use of rituals as a creative intervention is introduced to help individuals and families facilitate their grief processes.