Traumatic grief: Issues and Treatment
Trauma is often described as a literal wounding of the emotions, spirit, physical body and sense of security. Traumatic bereavement brings with it two different but powerful forms of human distress: the separation distress that comes when someone you care about and love dies and the trauma distress that comes from how they died. Often people experience both types of distress simultaneously.
Traumatic grief can be experienced after a sudden traumatic event that involves violent suffering, mutilation, and/or multiple deaths; appears to be random or preventable; and can involve the survivor’s own brush with death. Such events as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Bali bombings, the East Asian tsunami of December 2004, and airplane crashes or other transportation disasters may produce traumatic grief in survivors.
This presentation gives the audience a greater understanding of the impact of trauma and traumatic loss and grief on individuals and communities. Julie Dunsmore presents a summary of the literature and theory on traumatic bereavement and complex/ prolonged grief disorder. The current thinking on Psychological First Aid and resilience in the face of adversity is explored. She discusses how theory can be translated to counselling and support work practice. Through case studies, Julie presents some of the counselling techniques and strategies that have assisted people
