Psychotherapy for Prolonged and Traumatic Grief A Guide for Mental Health Professionals

Part 1: Diagnosing Prolonged and Traumatic Grief

1. Prolonged and traumatic grief: Symptoms, staging, and stepped care

Paul A. Boelen

2. Practice of clinical assessment of prolonged and traumatic grief

Anna Vogel, Hannah Comtesse, and Rita Rosner

3. Risk and protective factors for prolonged and traumatic grief

Louisa Heinzl, Nadine Stammel, and Geert E. Smid

4. Conceptualizations of prolonged grief and traumatic grief

Fiona Maccallum

Part 2: Psychotherapy for Prolonged and Traumatic Grief

5. Psychoeducation about prolonged and traumatic grief

Geert E. Smid, Simon Groen, and Hannah Comtesse

6. Exposure in the treatment of prolonged grief and traumatic grief: An associative memory network perspective

Paul A. Boelen, Muriel A. Hagenaars, and Franziska Lechner-Meichsner

7. Attribution of meaning, reengaging, and activation

Geert E. Smid, Robert A. Neimeyer

8. Symbolic interactions: Writing assignments, imagery rescripting, imaginary conversations, and rituals

Robert A. Neimeyer, Hannah Comtesse, and Geert E. Smid

9. Internet- and mobile-based interventions for prolonged and traumatic grief

Anaïs Aeschlimann, Lyanne Reitsma, and Clare Killikelly

10. Pharmacotherapy in prolonged and traumatic grief

Charles Tesnières, Geert E. Smid, and Eric Bui

Part 3: Special Populations

11. Ambiguous loss: Assessment and intervention after the disappearance of a loved one

Hannah Comtesse and Geert E. Smid

12. Diagnosing prolonged and traumatic grief in children and adolescents

Lauren Alvis, Oscar Widales-Benitez, Benjamin Oosterhoff, et al

13. Psychotherapy for prolonged and traumatic grief in children and adolescents

Julie B. Kaplow and Paul A. Boelen

14. Psychotherapy for prolonged and traumatic grief in older adults

Katrine B. Komischke-Konnerup and Maja O’Connor

15. Psychotherapy for prolonged and traumatic grief in migrants and refugees

Franziska Lechner-Meichsner, Clare Killikelly, and Jeroen Knipscheer

Biography

Geert E. Smid, MD, PhD, is a psychiatrist and professor of psychotrauma, loss, and grief at the University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, and ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, the Netherlands.

Hannah Comtesse, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Hagen, Germany,

Paul A. Boelen, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and full professor of clinical psychology at Utrecht University and ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, the Netherlands.

"The scope of this comprehensive guide for mental health professionals transcends previous contributions of similar kind, bringing us squarely up to date with 21st century developments. It is theory based, research informed, and culturally sensitive, but it is also thought-provoking, with awareness of current limitations to understanding about grief complications, which adds to its value. This is a book that all those concerned with the care of bereaved persons can turn to , and I am glad to have this scholarly yet accessible source at hand for consultation."

Margaret Stroebe, PhD, professor emeritus of clinical psychology, Utrecht University and University of Groningen, The Netherlands

"Traumatic deaths are particularly embedded in cultural narratives, making it essential for treatment of prolonged grief and related mental health issues to be culturally informed. This book is an indispensable resource for practitioners working with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds who deal with grief-related distress. A must-read book, it provides a comprehensive range of therapeutic strategies and tools meticulously tailored to address the unique needs of these patients."

Cyrille Kossigan Kokou-Kpolou, PhD, assistant professor of clinical and health psychology, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada

"Timely, comprehensive, up to date, evidence based, culturally sensitive, covering the life span development from childhood to old age: This book is much needed and a must read for all therapists!"

Ulrich Schnyder, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry and psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Switzerland

 “Psychotherapy for Prolonged and Traumatic Grief is the definitive resource on prolonged grief for clinicians, researchers, and educators. This comprehensive guide provides state-of-the-art information from leading global experts on the understanding and treatment of prolonged grief while offering practical tools and strategies for professionals working with bereaved individuals. A must have for anyone supporting those navigating the profound impact of loss.”

Angela M. Nickerson, PhD, professor of psychology and director, Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program, UNSW, Sydney, Australia

“This book is a timely, comprehensive, and useful compendium of psychotherapeutic approaches to bereavement care. The editors are European leaders in the field who have made important and innovative contributions to the provision of culturally sensitive interventions to reduce the pain and suffering associated with prolonged grief. This will likely become an invaluable resource for grief-focused clinicians and researchers alike.”

Holly G. Prigerson, PhD, endowed professor of diagnostics, professor of sociology in medicine and radiology; director of the Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, USA

“This book offers state-of-the-art knowledge on grief pathways that need support. It provides particularly rich material on questions of meaning and culturally sensitive care.”

Andreas Maercker, PhD, MD, professor of psychopathology and clinical intervention, University of Zurich, Switzerland