Treating Traumatic Bereavement

Laurie Anne Pearlman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and independent trauma consultant based in western Massachusetts. She is a Fellow of Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA) and of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Dr. Pearlman has received awards for her clinical and/or scientific contributions from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Connecticut Psychological Association, and APA Division 56, including the Division's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. She has authored or coauthored several books on psychological trauma. Camille B. Wortman, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Stony Brook University in New York. Her research focuses on how people react to the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Award for an Early Career Contribution in Psychology from the APA, and a joint award from the APA Science Directorate and the National Science Foundation recognizing the achievements of women in science. She has authored four books and over 100 articles and book chapters. Catherine A. Feuer, PhD, is a cognitive-behavioral psychologist in private practice in St. Louis, Missouri. Her clinical work, research, and publications are in the areas of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. She was formerly a postdoctoral fellow and Assistant Research Professor at the Center for Trauma Recovery at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. In her private practice, she treats trauma clients, including survivors of sudden, traumatic loss. Christine H. Farber, PhD, is a clinical psychologist based in central Connecticut, where she practices psychological consultation informed by her interests in archetypal and humanistic psychology. She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Hartford's Graduate Institute in Professional Psychology and serves on the board of directors of the Connecticut Psychological Association, which has honored her with numerous awards. Therese A. Rando, PhD, is Clinical Director of The Institute for the Study and Treatment of Loss in Warwick, Rhode Island, which provides psychotherapy, training, supervision, and consultation. She is a diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Board Certified in Bereavement Trauma). A recipient of numerous professional awards, she is the author of over 80 works, including How To Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies, Treatment of Complicated Mourning, and Coping With the Sudden Death of Your Loved One: A Self-Help Handbook for Traumatic Bereavement.

This book presents an integrated treatment approach for those struggling to adapt after the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. The authors weave together evidence-based clinical strategies grounded in cutting-edge knowledge about both trauma and grief.

I. Fundamentals of Traumatic Bereavement1. Sudden, Traumatic Death and Traumatic Bereavement2. Theoretical FoundationsII. Living with Traumatic Bereavement3. Psychological Dimensions4. Domains of Life AffectedIII. Risk Factors and Related Evidence5. Event-Related Factors6. Person-Related Factors7. Treatment ResearchIV. Guidelines for Implementing the Treatment Approach8. Client Assessment9. Implementation Issues10. Building Resources11. Processing Trauma12. Facilitating MourningV. Challenges in Implementing the Treatment Approach13. Treatment Challenges14. Effects of the Treatment on TherapistsAppendix. Handouts