William Worden's Theory In Grief Counselling And Grief Therapy

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Throughout our life we experience loss and grief in many situations, others may feel differently towards this experience, however there is no escape from feeling this. There are many occasions of loss which trigger grief, one being death. Death can either be sudden or anticipated. Experiencing a sudden death such as a loved one committing suicide can cause severe depression and anxiety throughout the bereaved life. According to Samaritans, this year (2017) there has been 6,188 suicides registered in the UK. “For the individual who chooses to commit suicide it would seem that life has become a struggle with no meaning, or a terror from which death is the only escape” (Ridley, 2000, pg 54). Many people commit suicide as they cannot escape …show more content…

Worden released a book “Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy” and discussed the process in which he thinks people deal with grief and the progression to healing. Worden describes the four tasks as: to accept the reality of the loss, to work through the pain of the grief, to adjust to the environment in which the deceased is missing and to emotionally relocate the deceased and move on with life. Accepting the reality of a divorce is vital in moving on. This could be difficult as an individual may be in denial that they are no longer with their partner. This could be a significant loss as they have no one to support them as they constantly relied on their partner. Working through grief must be independent process and not the work of loved ones. However, the individual should receive support and not deny grief. Although friends and family should help to distract this individual, they should not overwhelm them as they must deal with their own emotion and grief to accept the loss of their partner. Although the partner may not be deceased, the individual should adjust their environment and change of roles after a divorce. This could be a loss of a best friend, sexual partner and someone to financially support you. The last task of this theory is to emotionally relocate the deceased and move on with life. Again, relating this to a divorce, the partner may not be deceased but their has been a significant loss. Many feel pain due to divorce and could question if there was anything they could have done to prevent it. To emotionally relocate after a divorce means to not reflect negatively on the relationship but to accept that divorce may be the best outcome. The pain of a divorce may never end but they overcome pain and grief and adapt to the

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