Crisis Intervention

Crisis Intervention: Dealing with a Death of a Loved One

Most people have experienced loss in their life. Studies have shown as many as 5-15% of bereaved people seem to develop severe long-term reactions to their loss. (Horowitz, M.J., Siegel, B., Holen, A., Bonanno, G.A., Milbrath, C., & Stinson, C.H). One of the most traumatic is a death of a loved one. Coping with the loss is extremely challenging and a very distressing point in life. Crisis Intervention workers need to understand the grieving process, the recognize symptoms, learn models and assessments in regards to loss as well, treatments and or intervention strategies to better serve their clients.

Grieving Process

One way for the crisis worker can help a person who has experienced

bonds with the deceased,

3. Learn death is a reality.

4. Experience and work through painful and negative emotions

5. Find meaning in the loved one’s death.

6. Learn to live without the loved one and build new relationships with others.

7. Change negative attitudes such as fear, sadness, anger, bitterness about life and one’s loss into joy and happiness as new opportunities, relationships, and transformations evolve and develop. (Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Knudsen, K., 2004)

If one cannot move through these tasks, then the individual experiences complicated or prolonged grief. Studies have also found risk factors associated with developing prolonged grief some of the most significant ones being: prior trauma or loss, history of mood and anxiety disorders and lack of social support. (Lobb, E. A., Kristjanson, L. K., Aoun, S. M., Monterosso, L., Halkett, G. K. B., & Davies, A. 2010). P 181.) The signs and symptoms of prolonged grief disorder may include

1. Extreme focus on the death and longing for deceased,

2. Problems accepting the death,

3. Feelings of numbness, detachment, and exhaustion.

4. Preoccupation with feeling sad.

5. Bitterness about the loss, not able to enjoy life.

6. Feel depressed or deep

Some techniques used are Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches, Narrative Therapy, and Attachment Theory and Therapy. Virginia Hughes states studies have shown that combinations of cognitive therapy approach used to treat major depression, and post-traumatic stress can help some people with complicated grief worth through it. Hughes, V. (2011 Pg 3) Cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on changing the person thinking. Specific techniques to this approach are relaxation training, desensitization, though stopping, cognitive restructuring, propagandizing and disputing irrational beliefs, guided imagery and in vivo imagery. Other characteristics that help with healing are being an empathic presence, a good listener, elicit trust, and understanding and let the individual express their feelings in their way. A crisis worker should never impose their religious beliefs on a grieving client but it a valuable resource for coping, recovery and growth. Walsh, (2009) states one of the primary reasons religion exists to make meaning of and understand death. It can offer hope, support and