The Effectiveness of Online Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Workers Who Experienced Client Death

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a group cognitive behavioral therapy based on William Worden's four-stage grief model for social workers who have experienced client death. For this study, both the experimental group and the comparison group completed pre-tests and post-tests to assess their levels of prolonged grief, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. In addition, the experimental group completed SUDs before and after each session. This group cognitive behavioral therapy was conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that the experimental group had a significantly lower prolonged grief score. Furthermore, their post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, and depression were found to be lower than their pre-score, although this difference was not statistically significant. The SUDs for the experimental group were measured before and after each session, and a reduction was observed. A plan to assist social workers in their recovery from the death of a client was proposed based on the findings of the study.