Traumatic grief

Abstract

Following the death of a loved one, a small yet significant minority of bereaved individuals develops persistent and debilitating symptoms of persistent complexbereavement disorder (PCBD) (also termed prolongedgrief disorder), posttraumatic stress disorder, anddepression. In recent years there has been an increasein treatment options for people for whom loss leads topersistent psychological problems (Boelen, 2016;Djelantik, Smid, Kleber, & Boelen, 2017). The aim ofthis interactive SIG meeting is to share the latestinsights from both a scientific and a clinical perspectivefor the treatment of traumatic grief. We will do this bydiscussing case vignettes and examples from the BriefEclectic Psychotherapy for Traumatic Grief (BEP-TG;Smid et al., 2015). This workshop will be held by ManikDjelantik (psychiatry resident at UMC Utrecht andPhD Candidate at Utrecht University and FoundationCentrum ’45, partner in ARQ National PsychotraumaCentre) and Annemiek de Heus (Clinical Psychologistat PsyQ and trainer of BEP-TG). Both are registered aspsychotrauma therapists at the NtVP and are experienced in assessment and treatment of traumatic grief invarious populations. Together they have conducted aresearch among treatment-seeking bereaved refugees.