Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Prolonged Grief Disorder for Bereaved Children and Adolescents With Comorbid Problems: Case Vignettes

Abstract

The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol for prolonged grief disorder in children and adolescents has demonstrated effectiveness in multiple studies, including a large randomized controlled trial. However, in clinical practice, we frequently encounter children with prolonged grief disorder who also present with comorbid conditions, such as other mental health disorders (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder) and developmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder). This paper aims to describe the CBT protocol for prolonged grief in children and adolescents and to illustrate, through case vignettes and clinical observations, how this protocol may be adapted for use with children with comorbid conditions. We show that thorough clinical assessment is crucial for adapting techniques from other protocols into PGD treatment. Future research should prioritize the inclusion of detailed case studies of children with PGD and comorbidities to advance our understanding and optimize the individualization of treatment strategies.