Childhood traumatic grief counselling: A South African case study

Abstract

This study explored the efficacy of a culturally adapted childhood traumatic grief counselling treatment with a 6-year- old South African male child who lost his mother to accidental electrocution. Based on data analysis of his case file, we discerned five themes to characterise his recovery: (i) gradual exposure to trauma memory; (ii) strengthening the child-caregiver relationship; (iii) self-managing trauma emotions; (iv) trauma narrative competencies; and (v) grief symptoms recognition and expression. Findings support the efficacy of a culturally adapted childhood traumatic grief treatment intervention with a young South African child.

Keywords:

• case study
• childhood traumatic grief
• South Africa
• Trauma-focused CBT
• TF-CBT

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the supervisory contributions of Mr Gregory Wilmot and Ms Christine Lewis.

Author notes

Phillipa Haine engaged with this child case as part of her Master’s training in Counselling Psychology. Jan Knoetze was involved in the clinical supervision of Phillipa Haine at the time. Phillipa Haine and Jan Knoetze conceived and directed this research project. Jan Knoetze was involved in the conceptual planning, while Phillipa Haine performed the collection of data and data analysis. Both authors were involved in the drafting and critical analysis of this manuscript. This statement serves as confirmation that the authors have access to the original data on which this article reports. The data are not publicly available due to restrictions (e.g., the privacy, confidentiality and anonymity of the child participant would be compromised). The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.