Grief therapy: the history of formatiom and current practice in the foreign studies

Abstract

Psychological assistance in grief is one of the highly solicited areas of practice in the field of psychology. Nevertheless, the modest amount of publications devoted to the conceptualization of grief, practical methods of assistance or the results of empirical research in the national psychological science still attest to the fact that this area of psychology requires further investigation. In this regard, we find it advisable to analyze the studies of our foreign counterparts in the field of grief therapy. Thus, the article describes three historical movements in the conceptualization of grief, as well as modern concepts of grief therapy, backed up by the findings provided by psychology students, psychotherapists, clients and members of online communities. There are examples and methodological recommendations on individual, group and online technologies of psychological help in the situation of grief. This review of foreign publications shows extensive prospects for the research in this area for the national psychology, but also provides some guidelines for practicing psychologists.