An Exploration of Counselors’ Beliefs and Approaches for Relationship Loss

Abstract

This study surveyed mental health counselors about the interventions they use to treat relationship loss in counseling, and their beliefs about recovery from relationship loss. Eight hundred and forty paper surveys were mailed, and 170 were returned, for a response rate of 20%. Results showed most counselors endorse using cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and brief solution-focused therapies. Themes from open-ended responses regarding recovery included time to process the grief, acceptance and forgiveness, the therapeutic relationship, social support, cognitive behavioral reframing, hope, self-esteem and self-improvement, and coping skills or other therapeutic interventions. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Relationship loss
• licensed counselors
• grief
• individual counseling
• survey

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K. Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh

Dr. K. Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh is an associate professor at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. Her research interests include Dialectical Behavior Therapy and evidence-based treatments.

Liesl M. Strauss

Liesl M. Strauss, LPC, NCC, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Her research interests include complementary and wellness practices in counseling and counselor education.

Taylor M. Feldmann

Dr. Taylor M. Feldmann is the regional clinical director for the Ecumenical Center, a not-for-profit agency serving south Texas. Dr. Feldmann partners with Texas A&M Health Science Center, working with individuals suffering from chronic health disease.

Odunola Oyeniyi

Dr. Odunola Oyeniyi is an assistant professor of School Counseling in the Department of Leadership Studies at University of Central Arkansas. Her research interests include high school students’ academic success, grief and loss counseling, multicultural counseling training and supervision, and child abuse prevention.

Kriti Vashisht

Kriti Vashisht is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. She envisions teaching future mental health professionals, continuing research, and implementing projects to improve health and well-being among historically marginalized populations through bio-psycho-social perspective.