Grieving Disenfranchised Losses: Background and Strategies for Counselors

This article reviews literature on disenfranchised grief and examines central paradoxical problems inherent in the resolution process. Disenfranchised grief is defined as the grief that people experience from a loss that is not, or cannot be, openly acknowledged, publicly mourned, or socially supported. The absence of social recognition and support identified as is the key factor. A framework for recognizing disenfranchised grief issues and strategies for facilitating a healthy recovery process is included.