A Framework for Healing from Loss

ABSTRACT

Many behavioral problems of youth may be viewed as complications with their grieving. This study investigates defenses which emerge in the face of repeated losses and trauma early in life and proposes a framework for understanding what is happening intra-psychically with youth who have such defenses. Inter-subjective and relational theory, early trauma theory, and social constructionist theory each inform this integrated framework for social work practice. Included is an extended cross-cultural case study of therapeutic work with a Latino youth in a community-based setting. Also included are clinical considerations for working with protective defenses emanating from early loss and trauma.

Key Words:

• Grief
• loss
• oppression
• early trauma
• complicated grief