The Experiences of Therapists and Bereaved Clients of using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach to grief

Abstract

Background and Aims: Whilst bereavement is a generally a normal process of adjustment, for some individuals the outcome can be more serious. Current bereavement research has produced inconclusive results to date and been criticised on many levels. A gap has been identified between research and the practice of bereavement therapy.The aim of this thesis is to examine a relatively new and under researched approach to the treatment of grief, namely the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It is proposed that this approach could provide an empirically sound model on which therapists could base their interventions. Method: Firstly a conceptual review examines the key components of ACT and their applicability to grief work. Secondly, a qualitative piece of research uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of both therapists and clients who have used the approach. Results: The conceptual review finds a good degree of fit between the components of the ACT therapeutic model and the needs and aims of bereavement work. The qualitative study provides preliminary support for the application of the model in the treatment of grief, indicating positive experiences for both therapists and clients particularly in its valuing of the individual nature of grief, its ability to put suffering into a positive context and its strength in dealing with emotional and thought related issues. Implications: The thesis provides a theoretical underpinning and an exploration of practice in the treatment of grief which may be useful for therapists considering a new approach to grief work or those developing services for the bereaved.