Traumatic Grief Treatment: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: The effects of a treatment program targeting debilitating grief symptoms were tested in a pilot study. METHOD: Twenty-one individuals experiencing traumatic grief were recruited for participation, and 13 completed the full 4-month protocol. The treatment protocol used imaginal re-living of the death, in vivo exposure to avoided activities and situations, and interpersonal therapy. RESULTS: Significant improvement in grief symptoms and associated anxiety and depression was observed for both completer and intent-to-treat groups. CONCLUSIONS: The traumatic grief treatment protocol appears to be a promising intervention for debilitating grief.