This book presents an integrated treatment approach for those struggling to adapt after the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. The authors weave together evidence-based clinical strategies grounded in cutting-edge knowledge about both trauma and grief. The book offers a clear framework and many practical tools for building survivors' psychological and interpersonal resources, processing their trauma, and facilitating mourning. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the book includes over 30 reproducible handouts. Purchasers can access a companion website to download and print these materials as well as supplemental handouts and a sample 25-session treatment plan. Winner (Second Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Category

This book presents an integrated treatment approach for those struggling to adapt after the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. The authors weave together evidence-based clinical strategies grounded in cutting-edge knowledge about both trauma and grief. The book offers a clear framework and many practical tools for building survivors' psychological and interpersonal resources, processing their trauma, and facilitating mourning. In a large-size format with lay-flat binding for easy photocopying, the book includes over 30 reproducible handouts. Purchasers can access a companion website to download and print these materials as well as supplemental handouts and a sample 25-session treatment plan. Winner (Second Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Category.

First published in 1999. Those grieving the loss of a loved one who has died under traumatic circumstances form a special group of mourners. Separate from those going through "simple bereavement", these mourners must cope with a double-edged sword: the grief of the loss and the trauma of the knowledge of how the loved one may have had to endure traumatic stress during their final minutes of life. This ground-breaking new addition to the Series in Trauma and Loss will enable mental health professionals to distinguish between those who are going through the 'normal' grieving process in the aftermath of a traumatic event, and those who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. A by-product of years of research and experience, this book helps buttress the theoretical bridge between thanatology and traumatology. This text focuses on the unique features of death-related PTSD, its assessment, and treatment. With case examples that draw upon consistent concepts and definitions, and equal attention to scholarly and practical concerns, the book argues that traumatic elements must be worked through first before grief and loss accommodations are achieved. More importantly, the new research and treatment methods presented by the leading experts in the field provide professionals and laymen alike with a valuable guide for understanding and helping those who grieve a loss under traumatic circumstances. Divided into two parts, Part 1: Conceptual and Empirical Foundations attempts to lay the empirical and theoretical foundation for the treatment chapters that follow. Part 2: Applications provides direction for helping clients grieve their traumatic losses

The loss of a family member, significant other, or friend exposes the afflicted person to a higher risk for several types of psychiatric disorders. In addition to the potential complications that include major depression, anxiety, and PTSD, there is much current (and renewed) interest in pathologic forms of grief. Jacobs, in this innovative new text, introduces the term traumatic grief as description of this diagnostic entity. Here, working criteria, associated descriptive features, and the clinical course of traumatic grief are detailed as the author further verifies the concept of traumatic grief as a disorder. As this is the first discussion of the clinical use of the diagnostic criteria for traumatic grief, this text serves as a foundation for psychiatric diagnosis and treatment of traumatic grief. The format follows the outline for disorders used in the DSM making this a useful tool for the practicing clinician.

First published in 1997. Although the fields of thanatology and traumatology have received robust attention during their parallel development, little effort has been made to address their overlapping territory. This volume is the first attempt to do so. Specifically, the purpose of this book is fourfold. First is to provide a theoretical bridge between the two fields by providing conceptual terminology, such as defining normal versus dysfunctional bereavement and the meaning and range of death-related PTSD. The second confirms and illustrates the identical patterns of reactions between those who survive the death of a loved one and those who survive other traumatic events. Next the book applies the most useful theoretical models to the bereavement experience, and in turn acknowledges the utility of generalizing bereavement models to other traumatic experiences; in doing so, the two fields can enrich each other. Similarly, the volume's final purpose is to identify and apply the most useful and effective approaches in traumatology literature to the study, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic stressors other than death.

This is the authoritative guide to conducting trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), a systematic, evidence-based treatment for traumatized children and their families. Provided is a comprehensive framework for assessing posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms; developing a flexible, individualized treatment plan; and working collaboratively with children and parents to build core skills in such areas as affect regulation and safety. Specific guidance is offered for responding to different types of traumatic events, with an entire section devoted to grief-focused components. Useful appendices feature resources, reproducible handouts, and information on obtaining additional training. TF-CBT has been nationally recognized as an exemplary evidence-based program. See also the edited volume Trauma-Focused CBT for Children and Adolescents: Treatment Applications for more information on tailoring TF-CBT to children's varying developmental levels and cultural backgrounds.

First published in 1995. Death and dying have been a concern of mankind as long as humans have existed. This book will explore the development and specifications of traditional models of grief to underline the importance of what is known about the process of grief, considering variables such as relationship, age, and personal characteristics of the mourner, as well as providing a framework of symptomatology specific to non-traumatizing, non-stigmatizing deaths for the purposes of comparative and theoretical specification. It is proposed that what is known about the grief response following the death of a spouse, a child, or an aged parent has valuable implications for grief model development considering other modes of death such as murder, drunk driving, AIDS, critical incidents, and suicide, though these conceptualizations are insufficient in explaining or predicting outcomes with these other types of grief.

What happens when a child experiences bereavement or trauma or both? When left untreated, childhood trauma crosses generational boundaries, developing risk factors that far outpace the threat of any other childhood disease, and yet, most children who have lived through a significant traumatic experience, usually do not get the care they need to begin their healing process. Children who have experienced trauma are often left grappling with devastating loss – loss of self esteem, security, innocence and trust – that is more challenging to diagnose and treat, than the more concrete loss of family, a pet or a home. Loss, Hurt and Hope: The Complex Issues of Bereavement and Trauma in Children gathers the collective wisdom of professionals who have spent years on the front lines working with children victimized by trauma. Each chapter illuminates how loss can shape a child’s development and provides professionals with the tools necessary to help these children move from despair to hope and renewal. Experts in the field of child trauma explore the vulnerability of these children, effective methods of caring for them in a variety of treatment settings, and examine the impact of loss on organizations charged with caring for those who have experienced trauma. Loss, Hurt and Hope offers a multifaceted lens through which loss can be examined and appreciated, laying the groundwork for significant progress toward improving the understanding of the power of loss in our society.

Experiential Action Methods and Tools for Healing Grief and Loss-Related Trauma introduces innovative psychodramatic and creative expression methods for helping those affected by bereavement and trauma. Each section focuses on a particular acute or secondary grief issue, providing supportive and explanatory material that can be given to clients, and experiential action methods for providers. Real-world vignettes and psychodrama tools delineate a unique approach to unlocking and shifting entrenched perspectives related to persistent grief and loss-related trauma, with chapters organized for practical use and application by counselors and therapists. The book also includes critical incident stress training material specifically for first responders, a frequently overlooked population. The practical guidance offered in this book will be of great interest to all who work with grief and trauma, including practicing and trainee psychologists and therapists, counseling centers, hospice organizations, bereavement support programs, and ministers.