Case Study – Grief/Bereavement

Phoebe, a 58 year old, married mother of three came to me after 7 months of her mother passing away. She had also lost her father a year before that.

She was very quietly spoken but did manage to share in our first session that she was still distraught over both of them and unable to function well for a length of time. Thoughts of both her parents would then crowd her mind.

As a therapist I can say grief is a natural part of life. It is not a disorder or condition as such. It is healthy but needs controlling (with help) if it is still debilitating and burdening after some time has past.

She told me that people were avoiding her, as they probably felt awkward. She was staying at home when not working and resting a lot.

Over the next four sessions I encouraged her to talk a lot about her parents. This was something she hadn’t been able to do yet.

We discussed how her parents might want her to be living now. And if they were still here, what they might be saying to her.

Phoebe opened up about a rift between her and her mother that had never been addressed and that she felt guilt.

There were a lot of tears while Phoebe told stories and shared memories and delved into the personalities of her parents.

Session Progress: At session five: (5 weeks into therapy)

Phoebe had begun long walks to relieve the tightness and pain she felt in her chest by the end of each day.

She said she felt lighter in her mind. She said she was now going longer periods without thinking about them.

She wasn’t resting as much during the day.

She believed the guilt had kept her stuck, and not yet having cried enough.

She said that the talking and tears was a relief for her to lift and soften the pain.

Phoebe took a break from our sessions after session 5.

On her healing path