Couples Counseling in the Loss of a Child: A Choice Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy Approach

Couples Counseling in the Loss of a Child: A Choice Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy Approach

Academic Unit

College of Education and Human Development

Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The death of a child is one of the most painful events a parent can experience. In addition to its impact on the individual, it takes a heavy toll on the couple’s or parents’ relationship. Research shows that grieving can impact the couple on multiple levels, including emotional and meaning-making levels. Because the death of a child activates attachment needs in both partners, it is very difficult to reach out across the pain to meet a partner’s needs when both are faced with grieving at the same time. The authors will describe a model to work with bereft parents where the emotional part of grief will be addressed through an Emotionally Focused therapy approach (Johnson, 2020) and the meaning-making part will be addressed through a Choice Theory perspective (Glasser 1998, 2000). A composite case will be used to exemplify the proposed model.

Journal Title

International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy

Volume

XLIII

Issue

1

Beginning Page Number

47

Last Page Number

57

Couples Counseling in the Loss of a Child: A Choice Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy Approach

Share

COinS