Loss and Grief (counselling)

Overview:

• Defining loss, bereavement and the grieving process
• Physical and emotional effects of grief
• Loss and grief at different ages
• What to avoid doing when helping the bereaved

Description:

Grief can be understood as the feeling of ‘psychological pain’ that a person experiences after suffering a loss. Everyone experiences grief at some time in their life, but each person feels grief in his or her own way. This chapter explores loss and grief and recommends strategies and techniques to help those who are dealing with it.

Topics:

• What is a loss?
• What is bereavement?
• The grieving process
• Emotions of the grieving process
• Physical reactions to the grieving process
• Unresolved (pathological) grief
• Strategies and techniques
• Loss and grief in young people
• Loss and grief in older people
• Things not to do

Speaker / Author:

Hugh Irons
Hugh Irons is a registered nurse who holds a master’s degree in community health nursing and qualifications in workplace assessment and training. Hugh works full-time in community-based mental health care with Ballarat Health Services - Psychiatric Services (Victoria, Australia). He has nearly 20 years of experience in this field, and also has substantial experience in teaching and coordinating undergraduate nursing students at the University of Ballarat, where he is a teaching fellow. Hugh is also a qualified relaxation massage therapist. He is a member of both the Royal College of Nursing, Australia and the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nursing, and is an associate member of the Australian Counselling Association. Hugh also runs his own consultancy in workplace and community mental-health behavioural training. In this role, Hugh conducts seminars, runs workplace in-service sessions, and facilitates conferences on a multitude of related topics.

Hugh’s motivation for writing this book springs from his conviction that all caring persons, with or without formal training, can have a significant therapeutic impact on the mental health and well-being of people who find themselves in distressing circumstances. Hugh relaxes with his wife of 35 years, Patricia, and is interested in reading, walking, and travelling. When travelling, Hugh makes a point of visiting mental-health services in any country that he visits -gathering and disseminating ideas of mutual benefit.

Professional Reviews: