'In a book that is replete with illustrative case studies, Linda Machin draws together the findings of a wide range of psychological and sociological theory and research in order to develop a way of thinking about grief and loss that is intelligible to ordinary mortals. Her Adult Attitude to Grief scale promises to be a useful tool by which problems can be identified and progress monitored' - Colin Murray Parkes, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist to St. Christopher's Hospice Loss is a universal human experience. Supporting those who are grieving a significant life loss is a key role for many professionals in health and social care settings and is the focus in many voluntary organisations. Although there is an extensive literature on loss and bereavement, practitioners often struggle to see how to put theory into practice. Working with Loss and Grief provides a new model which makes clear connections between theory and practice. The 'Range of Response to Loss' model provides a theoretical 'compass' for recognising the wide variability in reaction to loss and the 'Adult Attitude to Grief' scale is a tool for 'mapping' individual grief and its change over time, providing an individual grief profile. Together these offer a framework for practitioners to: " Listen to stories of grief told by clients " Identify common patterns in grief; " Recognize individual difference in grief response " Assess the need for therapeutic intervention or support " Prompt therapeutic dialogue " Guide therapeutic focus " Appraise clients " Evaluate outcomes. Case examples show that the experience of grief is highly individual, but also capable of being understood in terms of general concepts. As such it is a valuable resource not only for practitioners and trainees in counselling and social work, but also for psychologists, doctors, nurses, and for researchers studying loss and grief. Dr Linda Machin is a Visiting Research Fellow of Keele University, having been a Lecturer in Social Work and Counselling at Keele. She established a counselling service for the bereaved in North Staffordshire and continues to work as a researcher, a hospice counsellor and a freelance trainer.

This updated second edition of Working with Loss and Grief provides a model for practitioners working with those who are grieving a significant life loss. Making clear connections between theory and practice, the ′Range of Response to Loss′ model provides a theoretical ′compass′ for recognising the wide variability in reaction to loss and the ′Adult Attitude to Grief′ scale is a tool for ′mapping′ individual grief and its change over time, providing an individual grief profile. Together these offer a framework for practitioners to: -listen to stories of grief told by clients -identify common patterns in grief -recognize individual difference in grief response -make assessments -prompt therapeutic dialogue -guide therapeutic focus and -evaluate outcomes. This edition includes: a new chapter on ′The RRL Model and a Pluralistic Approach to Counselling′ ; two new case studies; additional content on vulnerability; new grief assessment tools and systems, and the latest research. Dr Linda Machin is Honorary Research Fellow at Keele University, having been a Lecturer in Social Work and Counselling at Keele. She established a counselling service for the bereaved in North Staffordshire and continues to work as a researcher and freelance trainer.

“An honest, practical, as well as emotional guide to working through the processing of mourning” (Vogue.com), Grief Works is a lifeline for all of us dealing with loss and a handbook to help others—from the “expected” death of a parent to the sudden and unexpected death of a child or spouse. Death affects us all. Yet it is still the last taboo in our society, and grief is still profoundly misunderstood. Julia Samuel, a grief psychotherapist, has spent twenty-five years working with the bereaved and understanding the full repercussions of loss. In Grief Works, Samuel shares case studies from those who have experienced great love and great loss—and survived. People need to understand that grief is a process that has to be worked through, and Samuel shows if we do the work, we can begin to heal. “As a guide for the newly grieving, Grief Works succeeds on many levels, and the author’s compassionate storytelling skills provide even broader appeal…and consistently hit an authentically inspiring note” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). “Illuminating” (The New York Times), intimate, warm, and helpful, Samuel is a caring and deeply experienced guide through the shadowy and mutable land of grief, and her book is as invaluable to those who are grieving as it is to those around them. She adroitly unpacks the psychological tangles of grief in a voice that is compassionate, grounded, real, and observant of those in mourning. Divided into case histories grouped by who has died—a partner, a parent, a sibling, a child, as well section dealing with terminal illness and suicide—Grief Works shows us how to live and learn from great loss. This important book is “essential for anyone who has ever experienced grief or wanted to comfort a bereaved friend” (Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones’s Diary).

With a gentle and considerate style, this handbook explores what happens when grief and the workplace meet, and the drastic effects of grieving on employees, their performance, and the overall workplace environment. Touching on the different kinds of grief workers can experience, such as death, divorce, and layoffs, the effective ways to channel grief during the workday, how to support coworkers who mourn, participation in group memorials, and negotiating appropriate bereavement leave, this concise and practical resource gives both ideas for the mourner and the mourner's coworkers. A special introduction for employers, owners, managers, and human resource personnel addresses the economic impact of grief in the workplace and provides practical and cost effective ideas for maintaining morale and creating a productive yet compassionate work environment.

Working with Grief and Traumatic Loss: Theory, Practice, Personal Reflection, and Self-Care provides clinicians with a wide range of personal loss and grief examples from seasoned therapists while also considering grief through the lens of diverse cultural, religious, and theoretical perspectives. This unique text shares practicing clinicians' personal journeys of loss in myriad forms, including spousal, child and parental death, suicide, genocide, mass disasters, loss of physical health, miscarriage and beyond, in order to strengthen the frameworks through which grief is viewed, help readers more deeply understand its global context, and emphasize the relevance of personal experience when engaging in practice. Opening chapters review historical and modern theories of grief and loss, bereavement, and mourning rituals, as well as current evidence-based interventions and promising new practice methods. Later chapters transition from theoretical constructs and current research to intimate, personal stories of loss from licensed therapists, such as psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers who experienced loss while in practice. Readers are introduced to a wide range of perspectives on grief, loss, and death with emphasized viewpoints from worldwide religions such as Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, and countries such as Taiwan, Kenya, and Guatemala. Readers learn about the importance of integrating self-care into practice and discover strategies for continued self-reflection practices to maintain personal and professional health while simultaneously supporting clients through their grief journey. The book features classroom exercises and an annotated bibliography to facilitate additional learning opportunities. Working with Grief and Traumatic Loss is an ideal resource for social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family, and grief and loss courses, as well as clinicians interested in deepening their practice. Elisabeth Counselman Carpenter is an assistant professor of social work in Southern Connecticut State University's School of Health and Human Services in New Haven, Connecticut. She is a licensed clinician in New York and Connecticut with an active private practice and also serves as a corporate and community trainer and legal consultant. Dr. Counselman Carpenter holds a Ph.D. from Adelphi University. Alex Redcay is an assistant professor of social work at Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Dr. Redcay earned a Ph.D. in social work from Rutgers University and serves as an expert witness, trainer, therapist, program evaluator, and consultant for Serise Inc. (www.SeriseInc.com)

"This book′s strengths are [Brenda Mallon′s] clinical wisdom, experience and insights, and the practical, constructive, down-to-earth way in which she conveys these to her readers. This will appeal to many who are searching for guidance in the difficult task of providing support for the bereaved" - Bereavement Care, Spring 2010 ′This is a well written book that makes a very useful addition to the field" - Therapy Today, February 2009 ′A refreshing, down-to-earth text that examines theory and research without becoming an academic tome. It is comprehensive, focused on practice and contains important insights for developing the essential skills required to provide effective bereavement care′ - Dr John Costello, Head of Primary Care, University of Manchester ′Brenda Mallon gives the term "grief counselling" definition in a way no one has done before. If you are new to counselling the bereaved, this book is the best introduction I have seen. If you are an experienced grief counsellor, this should be the next book you read′ - Professor Dennis Klass, Webster University, Dying, Death and Grief is written for anyone who provides support to adults following bereavement. Whether in a professional or voluntary capacity, bereavement care requires empathy, judgement and skill to ensure your response matches the needs of the person you are helping. Recognizing that we all experience bereavement differently, this book introduces theory and skills which can be used in any context to address a wide range of needs. The author explains the theoretical background to attachment and loss and the core skills needed to support people who have been bereaved. Case studies and personal accounts illustrate key points and exercises help you examine your own experiences and attitudes in relation to loss. The book also takes into account topics frequently overlooked in other texts, such as sexuality, spiritual responses to loss, cultural influences and diversity, as well as the nature of chronic and disenfranchised grief. Dying, Death and Grief is designed for use on a wide range of training and academic courses that prepare practitioners to work with the bereaved. Professionals in a range of settings including hospitals and in the community as well as volunteers and be-frienders in hospices and nursing homes will find this a useful source of guidance. Brenda Mallon is a counsellor, trainer and author who specialises in bereavement care. She is vice chair of The Grief Centre, Manchester Area Bereavement Forum.

For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, here are strength and thoughtful words to inspire and comfort.