Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Date of Award

Fall 2012

Format

.pdf

Degree Level

Ph.D

LCSH subject

Grief therapy

ISBN

9781339948980

Medium

1 online resource

Proquest Document ID

1821335563

Identifier

EDT112012Ophelan

School/University

St. Mary's University (San Antonio, Texas). Department of Counseling.

Size or duration

x, 186 pages ; ǂc 29 cm

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Wooten, H. Ray

Second Advisor

Bryan, Laura A.

Third Advisor

Lyle, Randall R.

Abstract

Themes of loss and grief resonate through life. That we sustain trauma and anguish and move through it at all becomes part of our life story, worthy of being acknowledged. Most often, it appears there is no clear-cut end or resolution to our loss. Moreover, there are too few trained individuals who are willing to “go the distance” in processing these weighty matters. The purpose of this study was to explore therapists’ personal experiences of loss and grief and how these events transformed their therapeutic approach in clinical practice. Using heuristic phenomenological methodology, qualitative research was conducted in which therapists were asked to recount their lived experiences of loss and describe the essence of these phenomena. Results indicated keen interest among therapists to participate, demonstrating appreciable need for this valuable opportunity to tell one’s story of loss and ensuing resilience. Several noteworthy themes emerged from the data uniting participants’ lived experiences with evolving personal meaningfulness. Insights gained through this study expanded therapists’ existing repertoire of knowledge, as well as provided diverse and accessible tools necessary to enhance academic acumen in the field of loss and grief therapy.

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