theorists
theories/approaches
Strategies and techniques
types of loss
defense mechanisms
100

psychoanalysis 

freud 

100

this theory works to help children and individuals express emotions nonverbally, particularly in cases of trauma, abuse, or developmental disorders

art therapy / play therapy 

100

what is this: fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the client says

active listening 

100

Ripple Effect: consequences of the primary loss, e.g. losing a spouse also means losing a best friend, co-parent, and daily companion

secondary loss 

100

attributing one’s unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another person

projection 

200

behavior 

skinner, Watson, pavlov 

200

using eye movements to help individuals process and reduce distress from traumatic memories.

emdr

200

what is gently challenging inconsistencies in the client’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors

confrontation 

200

layered emotional, psychological, and cognitive challenges, e.g. a tragic event with multiple deaths (bereavement overload)

multiple losses

200

justifying behaviors or thoughts with logical but false explanations

rationalization

300

existential 

frankl, may, yalom  

300

theory works to help clients focus on solutions rather than problems, emphasizing strengths and future goals.

solution focused


300

restating what the client says in different words to clarify understanding

paraphrasing 

300

sudden, violent, or destructive loss, e.g. homicide, genocide, mass murder, or suicide

traumatic loss

300

absorbing and internalizing the attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors of others

introjection 

400

interpersonal

Klerman, weissman 

400

abc model works to challenge irrational beliefs and replace them with rational, adaptive thoughts

rebt

400

what is reassuring the client that their experiences and feelings are common

normalizing 

400

losses that go unrecognized or overlooked, e.g. a child raised in a shelter, experiencing unseen trauma

obscured loss

400

a therapeutic technique that exposes a client to their fears in a controlled but intense manner to reduce anxiety

flooding

500

emotion focused

Greenberg, Elliott

500

empty chair works to increase self-awareness and integration of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the present moment

gestalt 

500

what is explored belief in one’s ability to influence outcomes

self efficacy 

500

not publicly mourned or socially supported, e.g. loss of a pet, loss in elderly populations

disenfranchised loss 

500

adopting characteristics of someone else, often as a means of self-protection

identification

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