Helping Bereaved Children and Adolescents: Strategies and Implications for Counselors

This article provides an overview of how loss affects young people of different ages and describes methods for helping bereaved children and adolescents. Case examples demonstrate the use of drawings to elucidate the inner experiences of young people who are grieving and to facilitate the counseling process. A format for a bereavement support group is detailed, and guidelines are provided for the use of bibliotherapy. Cultural, ethical, and counselor competency issues are also considered. The importance of counselors' awareness of the impact of their own loss experiences is also discussed.