8 Best And Effective Counseling Strategies For Grief And Loss

Grieving is not only a feeling but it’s a process we need to go through in order to be healthy. Grieving is caused by anger, regret, sadness, and other negative emotions which cause us to struggle. There are different types of grief… traumatic grief, anticipatory grief, complicated grief, chronic grief, and more.

It takes a lot of time to process grief especially when a loved one or close family member passes away, the traumatic grief stays for a longer time. In some severe cases, it starts deteriorating mental and physical well-being. Therefore, counseling can be an effective strategy for combating grief or loss. Counselors or psychotherapists help clients in navigating through grief.

It’s a fact that sometimes grieving gets too complicated that people cannot handle grief on their own; therefore, a counselor can help process such emotions.

If you are looking for the best and most effective counseling strategies for grief and loss worry not, we have got your back, in this blog; we have listed the 8 best and most effective counseling strategies for grief and loss on the basis of their effectiveness and benefits. So, let’s get started!

Counseling Strategies for Grief and Loss

1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of the best and most effective therapies for combating grief. This therapy technique helps in accepting negative emotions and slowly develops healthy and positive patterns towards life. The models of this therapy are based on enhancing psychological flexibility.

This helps in accepting feelings instead of avoiding or feeling guilty about grief or loss. Additionally, ACT processes grief through mindfulness techniques which improves the process of acceptance. ACT can be effective for dealing with complicated or prolonged grief.

2. Art Therapy

Art therapy is one of the most fun and creative therapy techniques that promotes healing and helps in processing unhealthy emotions related to grief or loss. This therapy provides extended support, a reiteration of a sense of well-being, and improves overall well-being. This therapy uses self-expression to promote healing.

There are different art therapy techniques used across the globe such as sculpting, collage-making, coloring, drawing, sand art, and more. Overall, it helps enrich the lives of individuals through applied psychological theory, self-expression, and active art-making.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common and effective therapy techniques effectively used. It promotes identifying negative patterns and helps them replace them with positive ones. The goal of CBT is to identify negative thoughts to relieve symptoms and live a more productive and healthy life.

CBT is an action-oriented approach that also works on self-awareness and self-improvisation. Additionally, it also helps in improving the overall quality of life with the help of cognitive restructuring or reframing, the development of a new narrative, and targeting problematic behaviors.

4. Complicated Grief Therapy

Complicated grief therapy (CGT) is basically developed for addressing complicated grief. Complicated grief results in prolonged sadness and hopefulness. CGT may help clients fixate on grief or loss. CGT also involves some of the principles of ACT. Additionally, it also helps in enhancing resilience and promotes natural adaptive processes.

CGT can only be administered by a trained and certified therapist. The seven-step model of CGT includes:

1. Psycho-education
2. Self-regulation and self-assessment
3. Aspirational goal work
4. Re-building connection
5. Revisiting the story
6. Revisiting the loss
7. Addressing memories

5. Group Therapy

Group therapy is a type of therapy administered in a group of a minimum of 4-5 people. In this type of therapy, a small group talks about their feelings and thoughts related to grief or loss so that people can reflect on the same and recover effectively through the same experiences. Group therapy encourages a safe and supportive space for people in a loving and confidential environment.

6. Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy helps in focusing on the current relationships or situations instead of exploring past-related issues. This therapy was specifically invented to treat major depressive disorder. However, this therapy nowadays can also be effectively used for grief and loss.

There are two types of interpersonal therapy, metacognitive interpersonal therapy (MIT) and dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT). Basically, this therapy helps in the identification and expression of emotions to gain a clearer understanding of emotions and thoughts.

7. Play Therapy

Play therapy is based on imaginative, creative, and fun therapy techniques. This therapy can be effectively used for processing grief and loss in children. Play therapy provides a safe space for children to express their feelings and regulate their emotions.

This therapy is generally prescribed when children are unable to regulate their emotions, unable to understand their feelings, or face difficulty while explaining their painful experiences.

8. Traumatic Grief Therapy

Traumatic grief therapy is specially developed for addressing traumatic grief or processing sudden trauma-related grief. Traumatic grief therapy addresses complicated processes by understanding your signs and symptoms.

I hope this blog helps you with the 8 best grief and loss counseling techniques. For more such content, connect with us through all social media platforms.

Thanks for reading!