The Concept of Grief Management - Essay Example

Counseling Psychology Topics affiliation Counseling Psychology Topics Paper Counseling- Grief, Loss, and Bereavement In counseling, the concept of grief management is one that holds major importance to the life of the concerned individuals. With lots of individuals not being in a position to deal with the loss of their loved ones, it has become of great importance that the concept be analyzed in relation to counseling. This paper shall attempt to analyze the concept of bereavement and loss and how patients can handle the same in a productive manner. The work shall also shed light on the need to conduct further research on the most appropriate ways to deal with grief in patients especially chronic grief. As seen in the work of Howarth (2011), grief involves a wide range of feelings and thoughts by an individual after the loss of a loved one. The author is also keen to indicate that a lot of individuals are characterized by feelings of sorrow and yearning once they lose their loved ones (Howarth, 2011). However, other extreme cases are characterized by anger and sometimes regret where the person feels useless without the lost person. With this in mind, it is evident that such persons need proper counseling if they have to deal with the broad range of feelings that emanate from the grief they go through. Despite the fact that Howarth (2011) argues that loss is a universal factor in the lives of humans, the experiences that humans undergo need not be ignored. It is often very rare that individuals will go through uncomplicated bereavement that allows them move on with their life with minimal complications. In this case, the Howarth (2011) indicates that it is important that the bereaved persons go through a process of reconciliation. This process involves allowing the bereaved persons go through a process that allows them accept the reality of life. Next, the process gives the bereaved persons a chance to experience the pain; what allows them adjust to their new situation without their loved ones (Howarth, 2011). The bereaved then accepts a new identity, feed their mind with the loss and also accept the importance of the death of their loved one (Howarth, 2011). The last phase of this reconciliation process ensures that the bereaved have an opportunity to form new relationships with other persons that will add value to the current lives (Howarth, 2011).This brings to mind the importance of this process, as a lot of individuals rarely reconcile with their lives successfully after loss. Greif may also be complicated whereby individuals display symptoms of trauma that may ultimately lead to death (Howarth, 2011).Such individuals will continually long for the lost loved ones, have depression as well as anxiety related disorders. Howarth (2011) gives an example of posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD) that may ensue after traumatic deaths that may take up to a month. Such individuals may also fail to continue with their normal day to day activities, a good example of a complicated bereavement process. It is these disorders that lead to a lot of health providers and counselors towards a continued research on proper diagnostic criteria to bereaving persons. However, Howarth (2011) is wary of the fact that despite there being numerous forms of treatment, mixed outcomes have been displayed by different patients. Interpersonal therapies have however been tried to assess symptoms of trauma that effectively deals with grief symptoms in the long run. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has also been productive in identifying and changing the behavior patterns of the grieving individuals to the positive (Howarth, 2011). In light to this argument, Howarth (2011) argues that a more investigations need to be conducted so as to evaluate the current options of dealing with grief especially in children. This relates to the fact that grief cannot be considered a normal process. A lot of factors determine the response of the individual in regard to their loss. These factors range from age, culture to gender (Howarth, 2011). It is, therefore, the role of the counselors to ensure the bereaved enjoy a healthy relationship after the moments of distress. Conclusively, it is evident that grief cannot be alienated from human life and existence. Some of the reactions to grief may be chronic while others may be easy for the individuals to handle. In this instance, it is fundamental that the counselors carry out proper examination on the nature of disorder prior to administering any kind of help to such patients. This will minimize chances of reoccurrence of the symptoms and proper handling of the grief by the patients. Reference Howarth, R. (2011). Concepts and Controversies in Grief and Loss. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 33 (1): 4-10. Paper 2 Psychology- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) In the field of psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) holds a key status. It is also fundamental to consider that this concept has been changing with the times; especially after lots of research have been conducted testing the viability of the concept in psychology. This paper shall examine the concept of CBT and how it has been useful in a reduction of the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. As seen in the work compiled by Beck (2005), CBT refers to a form of psycho- therapy that works in relation to the functioning of the mind, and how individuals feel and react. The therapy also focuses on how individual s experience depression and anxiety and how the factors that cause that form of anxiety and stress can be modified by reducing the thinking patterns of the individual (Beck, 2005). This means that the mind is the major deter minor of how an individual thinks and the responses from their thoughts. One would therefore argue that a counselor must be well conversant with the thinking behavior of the individuals prior to designing ways of reducing the stressors, as they will be working based on evidence from research and logic. Beck (2005) says that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a conception that was designed over forty years back on the basis of psychopathology and cognitive therapies on psychiatric disorders. Ever since, research has been going on in the quest to develop cognitive theories, and therapies through empirical testing (Beck, 2005). This explains the importance of this therapy in the handling of psychiatric malfunctions in individuals. From the research, the author validates that cognitive therapy is extremely effectual in the dealing with the symptoms and relapse rates of psychiatric disorders (Beck, 2005). The author continues to give an example of panic disorder that was handled effectively with the cognitive model. The model was useful in helping patients deal with the fearful cognitions of recurrence of panic attacks and other dangers that may occur from the panic sensations (Beck, 2005). This worked on the fact that patients always relate to any form of social anxieties from images they are exposed to in their environment. In the event that their social experiences are negatively related, chances are that they may be exposed to social anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a concept that involves both cognitive and behavioral approaches, is useful in dealing with these social anxieties by changing the way individuals think and interpret aspects in their environment (Beck, 2005). From the meta-analysis of the CBT studies Beck (2005), validates that CBT is useful for the treatment of various forms of depression. He gives a good example of patients that were involved in a car bomb and responded positively after subjection to CBT. However, the author is quick to warn that chances of relapses may occur, and it is always advisable to reduce the chances of these relapses in the continuation of the therapy (Beck, 2005). Additionally, Beck (2005) says that CBT is useful for other disorders such as mental disorders. From the work, a lot of schizophrenic patients can be said to benefit greatly from the application of CBT especially the ones that were at higher risks. Other significant applications of CBT include treatment of hypertension, cancer, arthritis, back pains, bowel syndromes, headaches as well as pre-menstrual syndromes (Beck, 2005). From this analysis, one would validate the fact that CBT is generally useful for the improvement of the overall value of life of patients with numerous medical dysfunctions. However, the application of CBT would not be useful without an analysis of the future directives of the same (Beck, 2005). In that case, it is recommended that CBT be taken as the best choice for the treatment of mild depression, panic, schizophrenia if long term treatment has to be achieved. More investigation also needs to be carried out on the same so as to have more knowledge on how the therapy can be applied in the real world settings (Beck, 2005). As Beck (2005) also proposes, more infrastructure needs to be shifted to the research of more effective therapies as well as the training of professionals on how to apply CBT effectively. Training programs are also recommended so as adjustments can be made in the various existing demographic groupings (Beck, 2005). Plans for the dissemination of the proposed therapies would also be useful for the medical fraternity; thus, provision of care in an effective manner. From this work, therefore, the benefits of CBT in dealing with psychological disorders are indeed countless. Reference Beck, A. T. (2005). The current state of cognitive therapy: A 40-year retrospective. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(9):953-9. Read More