Counseling Strategies for Loss and Grief is a book that is long overdue in the field. Although many books have addressed grief, none have provided such a comprehensive approach, coupled with theoretically based applications. It is comprehensive enough that if you read only one book on how to help clients process and cope with loss, this is the book it should be. It is truly a ‘must read’ for all counselors.—Phyllis Erdman, PhD
Washington State University
Keren Humphrey has given mental health professionals a complete guide for working with diverse clients experiencing grief in a variety of forms. This book is well written, easy to understand, and is an excellent tool for beginning counselors or seasoned professionals.—Elizabeth A. Doughty, PhD
IdahoState University
This practice-oriented book describes a range of effective counseling strategies appropriate for the treatment of diverse loss and grief issues commonly presented in individual, family, and group psychotherapy settings. Based on contemporary understandings of the nature of personal and interpersonal loss and the ways in which people integrate loss and grief into their lives, this innovative book focuses on tailoring interventions to the uniqueness of the griever’s experience.
In Part 1, Dr. Humphrey discusses a variety of death- and non-death-related loss and grief experiences, offers conceptualization guidelines, outlines selected psychosocial factors, and describes intervention based on two contemporary grief models. Part 2 provides detailed therapeutic strategies organized according to focus or theoretical origins along with suggestions for implementation and customization to client uniqueness. Specific chapters include cognitive–behavioral and constructivist strategies, emotion-focused strategies, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and adjunctive activities. The final chapter focuses on counselor roles and recommended professional and personal practices.
Keren M. Humphrey, EdD, NCC, LPC, LCPC, has more than 25 years experience in the helping professions as a parish minister, probation officer, professional counselor, and counselor educator. Dr. Humphrey is CEO of 4 Directions Consulting, Rockwall, TX.