Treating Traumatic Bereavement A Practitioner's Guide

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

Laurie Anne Pearlman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and independent trauma consultant based in western Massachusetts. She is a member of the complex trauma task force of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and a Fellow of Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA). She has received awards for her clinical and scientific contributions from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the Connecticut Psychological Association, and for contributions to professional practice from APA Division 56.

Camille B. Wortman, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Stony Brook University in New York. Her research focuses on how people react to the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Award for an Early Career Contribution in Psychology from the APA, as well as of a joint award from the APA Science Directorate and the National Science Foundation recognizing the achievements of women in science. She has authored four books and over 100 articles and book chapters.

Catherine A. Feuer, PhD, is a cognitive-behavioral psychologist in private practice in St. Louis, Missouri. Her clinical work, research, and publications are in the areas of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. She was formerly a postdoctoral fellow and Assistant Research Professor at the Center for Trauma Recovery at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. In her private practice, she treats trauma clients, including survivors of sudden traumatic loss.

Christine H. Farber, PhD, is a clinical psychologist based in central Connecticut, where she practices psychological consultation informed by her interests in archetypal and humanistic psychology. She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute in Professional Psychology and serves on the board of directors of the Connecticut Psychological Association, which has honored her with numerous awards.

Therese A. Rando, PhD, is Clinical Director of The Institute for the Study and Treatment of Loss in Warwick, Rhode Island, which provides psychotherapy, training, supervision, and consultation. She is a diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Board Certified in Bereavement Trauma). A recipient of numerous professional awards, she is the author of over 80 works, including How To Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies, Treatment of Complicated Mourning, and Coping With the Sudden Death of Your Loved One: A Self-Help Handbook for Traumatic Bereavement.

I. Fundamentals of Traumatic Bereavement
1. Sudden, Traumatic Death and Traumatic Bereavement
2. Theoretical Foundations
II. Living with Traumatic Bereavement
3. Psychological Dimensions
4. Domains of Life Affected
III. Risk Factors and Related Evidence
5. Event-Related Factors
6. Person-Related Factors
7. Treatment Research
IV. Guidelines for Implementing the Treatment Approach
8. Client Assessment
9. Implementation Issues
10. Building Resources
11. Processing Trauma
12. Facilitating Mourning
V. Challenges in Implementing the Treatment Approach
13. Treatment Challenges
14. Effects of the Treatment on Therapists
Appendix. Handouts