Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Grief Support For Children and Teens
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ration from the deceased . In other words , how do I find a way to feel meaningfully connected to the person who ’ s no longer here ?
“ Supportive client
• Existential / Identity distress , intervention is designed which focuses on responding to an existential crisis , or threat to one ’ s to walk alongside personal identity , evoked by the death . In other words , who am I , individuals as they and what ’ s the meaning and purpose of my life now that my loved negotiate healthy one is gone ?
• Circumstance-related distress , experiences with grief .” which focuses on responding to how the person died . How do I think about , feel about , and come to terms with the way in which this person died ?
Each of these dimensions has both normative manifestations and maladaptive manifestations that the MGT model goes into detail to discuss .
What line is Charlie Brown famous for ? “ Good Grief !” Turns out he was right !
About 85 percent to 90 percent of the time , grief is good . We adapt in times of grief . Another term we use is “ constructive change .” There will always be some way we as a large group rise from devastation . Think about this short ( not all-inclusive ) list : Amber alerts , seat belts , TNT , “ America ’ s Most Wanted ,” air bags ... all are innovations born from tragedy .
Even personal experiences with tragedy have yielded beautiful acts of continuation and contribution , such as charity drives , annual community service events , and many more calls to cherish the memories of the person lost . Knowing this , we should look to first treat grief as adaptive and allow good grief to proceed . We should also know how to assess for maladaptive grief and work to help that grief recede .
WHERE TO BEGIN WITH GRIEF WORK ?
To re-humanize the natural experience of grief , try beginning in some of these strategic spaces .
• Start by checking your foundation . What thoughts , experiences , expectations , and / or biases do you bring into the picture with you ? Even the most well-meaning individuals can bring a lens of distraction that discourages others from natural and expected processing of their loss . This might feel good in the moment , but will not address the client ’ s underlying psychological , emotional , behavioral , spiritual reactions . Instead , seek support — not solutions — by normalizing the experience of grief .
• Help clients to think through practical support . These include , for example , sleep strategies for clients who are spending time up at night , and supporting movement and relaxation needs to help their mind and body deal with the loss .
• Be curious about the client ’ s perspective . Try allowing the grieving person to lead the discussion of their experience of grief . Learning the client ’ s experience through their eyes allows LCMHCs to gain insight into whether or not clients are experiencing healthy grief or unhealthy grief .
• Be responsible by taking the necessary time to properly set the stage for grief work . For providers , the foundational aspects of our focus , method of support , and treatment best practices include recognizing :
The difference between the presentation of trauma and the presentation of grief and bereavement , The intersection and influence of culture , and The developmental differences between children and adults .
Adaptive grief is a catalyst for change , as the charge is to think about thinking and move into a new space that works to prevent future loss or devastation . Adaptive responses are encouraged to proceed through the provision of supportive intervention . Clients with maladaptive responses are provided therapeutic intervention to help them reduce unhealthy behaviors .
For resources related to grief work , see the box on page 19 .
THE FOUR PILLARS THAT DRIVE GRIEF TREATMENT
Supportive client intervention is designed to walk alongside individuals as they negotiate healthy experiences with grief .
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18 The Advocate Magazine 2023 , Issue # 1 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org