Sitting with Grieving Clients

Grief and loss are inevitable parts of therapeutic work. Clients' pain (or anger or confusion) is sometimes so big and it can feel delicate for new therapists to know how to hold all of the bigness. Many programs don’t prepare new therapists for how to support clients who have experienced a significant loss. We know that new and seasoned therapists alike have moments of "What do I do here??". We discuss the myth of stages of grief, the importance of psychoeducation, how clients can feel devastated by the loss of someone with whom they have a parasocial relationship, and how there are no right or wrong ways to grieve. Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up. Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch, share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. We have partnered with Janeapp, our favourite all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign-up for a free one-month grace period on your new account. Alison McCleary www.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram