Making sense of loss and grief: the value of in-depth assessments

Abstract

Research in a community-based bereavement support service has revealed a proportion of clients for whom an assessment session which focuses on meaning-making mitigates the need for ongoing professional intervention. We suggest that such in-depth assessment sessions may consolidate resilience by helping clients construct meaning in relation to their loss. We support our position with four case studies using assimilation analysis.

Key words:

• grief
• bereavement
• needs assessment
• meaning-making
• resilience
• assimilation analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the clients who generously allowed their assessments to be recorded and transcribed. Thanks also to the colleagues who have made suggestions in the development of the meaning-making matrix.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Wilson

John Wilson MSc Senior Bereavement Counsellor and Trainer Saint Catherine’s Hospice Bereavement Support Service

Hazel James

Hazel James PhD York St John University

Lynne Gabriel

Lynne Gabriel PhD Associate Professor and Reader in Counselling York St John University