Let’s look into: Evidence-Based Interventions for Bereavement and Grief:
Absolutely, let’s explore evidence-based interventions for bereavement and grief — a rich and important area, especially within psychology and parapsychology.
Overview of Bereavement and Grief
Bereavement refers to the experience of losing a loved one, while grief is the emotional response to that loss. Though grief is a natural and often self-limiting process, complicated grief (CG) or prolonged grief disorder (PGD) can impair functioning and may require intervention.
Evidence-Based Interventions
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Target: Maladaptive thoughts and avoidance behaviors.
Methods: Thought restructuring, exposure therapy (imaginal or in vivo), behavioral activation.
Evidence: Strong support, particularly for individuals with prolonged or complicated grief.
2. Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT)
Developed by: Dr. Katherine Shear and team.
Framework: Combines elements of CBT, interpersonal therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Focus: Loss processing and restoration of life goals.
Evidence: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show significant symptom reduction.
3. Meaning Reconstruction Therapy
Theory: Based on Neimeyer’s constructivist approach.
Goal: Help clients reconstruct personal meaning after a loss.
Techniques: Narrative therapy, journaling, story reconstruction.
Evidence: Positive outcomes, particularly in restoring life purpose and identity.
4. Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Focus: Increasing present-moment awareness and self-compassion.
Examples: MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy).
Benefits: Reduction in anxiety, depression, and stress related to loss.
Evidence: Emerging support, especially for general bereavement distress.
5. Group Therapy / Support Groups
Types: Peer-led, therapist-led, structured or open-ended.
Benefits: Validation, shared experience, reduced isolation.
Evidence: Effective for many, especially when groups are structured and moderated by professionals.
6. Expressive Arts Therapies
Modalities: Art, music, writing, movement.
Mechanism: Emotional expression and symbolic communication.
Evidence: Helpful adjunct to other therapies, especially for children and adolescents.
7. Pharmacotherapy
- Used For: Treating co-occurring disorders like major depression or anxiety.
Maybe Not a first-line treatment for grief alone.
Medications: Please consult your medical doctor for further information.
Caution: Should be paired with psychotherapy, not used as a sole intervention.
Meta-Analytic Findings
- Meta-analyses (e.g., Currier et al., 2008; Wittouck et al., 2011) show that:
Structured interventions (especially CBT and CGT) are more effective than unstructured or supportive counseling alone.
Timing matters — interventions are most effective 6+ months after the loss when natural adaptation may stall.
Individuals at risk (e.g., history of trauma, sudden loss, low support) benefit the most.
Integration with Parapsychological/Spiritual Models (optional tie-in)
Transpersonal approaches (e.g., continuing bonds, after-death communication experiences, CRV-assisted closure) may offer additional healing pathways.
These approaches aren’t mainstream evidence-based yet but are being explored in some research and therapeutic contexts (e.g., hospice care).
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 