Introduction
Bereavement, or grief and loss, is a normal reaction to a traumatic loss. Grief is not limited to the loss of a loved one but can be triggered by other losses, such as the end of a relationship, the termination of a profession, or the revelation of a fatal illness. Grief can have far-reaching consequences, including emotional suffering, physical symptoms, and altered behavior patterns. Despite their prevalence, feelings of sadness and loss are rarely discussed, leaving those grieving to do so in silence. Group counseling for older grieving individuals is more effective than individual therapy because it allows them to share their experiences with others who can relate to them and receive guidance on moving forward.
Presenting Issue and Type of Group
Bereavement, often known as sadness and loss, is a natural and inevitable reaction to the death of a loved one. An individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health can all be negatively affected by losing a loved one. Bereavement is complicated for anyone at any age, but it can be challenging for seniors because it typically coincides with other major life transitions like retirement or deteriorating health (Maass et al., 2020). Given the multifaceted nature of grief, a group setting may prove optimal for meeting the requirements of this demographic.
Older persons who have endured a significant loss may benefit more from participating in a psychotherapy group than a counseling group (Maass et al., 2020). This is because individuals dealing with the complicated and deep emotions associated with loss can benefit significantly from the group dynamic of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy groups can offer a secure and supportive space for older adults who have lost a spouse to talk about their feelings and learn from the experiences of others who have gone through the same thing (Moore et al., 2020). The isolation and loneliness that often accompany grief can be alleviated this way.
Additionally, psychotherapy groups can give seniors a feeling of belonging and direction as they work through their grief. Support group members can gain from one another’s stories and insights (Gibson et al., 2020). Participants in psychotherapy groups can benefit from both the therapist’s and their peers’ objective feedback.
However, a psychoeducational group might not work as well with this clientele. However, while psychoeducational groups can help teach participants about the grieving process and coping skills, they often lack an emphasis on emotional inquiry (Moore et al., 2020). This may not be the best course of action for seniors experiencing the wide range of feelings that come with losing a loved one. In addition, older persons who may feel alienated or alone in their sorrow may not receive the same amount of social support and validation from a psychoeducational group as they would from a psychotherapy group.
Applicability of Group Leadership Approaches
The bereavement group members need to be guided by someone with experience in grief and loss. Different methods of group leadership have been created to better serve the specific requirements of grieving people. This paper aims to review the literature on group leadership strategies for bereavement groups, compare and contrast their relative merits, and assess their usefulness for guiding a counseling or psychotherapy group for people with grief.
Bereavement support groups have benefited from the person-centered leadership style. The person-centered method emphasizes empathetic and sympathetic group facilitators (Luo, 2021). Since it emphasizes providing a secure and nonjudgmental environment for members to express their emotions and work through their grief, this method can benefit people grieving the loss of a loved one (Luo, 2021). A facilitator of a person-centered group lets group members take the reins in delving into their feelings of loss.
The cognitive-behavioral method of leading support groups for the bereaved is another option. Cognitive restructuring and behavioral modification are at the heart of this method since they are based on the belief that one can influence one’s ideas, feelings, and actions. Cognitive-behavioral treatment was beneficial in helping people overcome the negative thoughts and actions that typically accompany grieving and loss (Luo, 2021). The facilitator of a cognitive-behavioral grief support group may utilize predetermined activities to help group members recognize and alter destructive patterns of thought and action.
Applicability of Group Leadership Styles
Effective leadership is crucial for bereavement groups to aid their members in healing from their losses. When deciding how to lead a counseling or psychotherapy group for people who have just lost a loved one, it is crucial to consider the different leadership styles available. Bereavement counseling groups can benefit from transformational leadership. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate followers to reach their full potential and work toward a common goal (Luo, 2021). This kind of leadership is very useful in bereavement counseling groups because it fosters an environment where members feel safe discussing their feelings, learning new coping mechanisms, and progressing in their healing.
Relationship-building skills are a hallmark of transformational leaders and can be crucial in bereavement counseling. A transformational leader can help members of a group who have suffered a severe loss feel less alone by fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance among them (Luo, 2021). A transformational leader can facilitate a safe and supportive space for group members to work through their grief by forming meaningful connections with them.
One of transformational leadership’s many strengths is the focus on one’s leadership development. This method can be helpful in bereavement therapy by giving group members agency over their healing (Luo, 2021). A transformational leader can aid group participants in building the skills and resilience necessary for their grief journey by encouraging personal agency and self-efficacy.
Legal and Ethical Issues
Group leaders should make several legal and ethical considerations before starting a counseling or psychotherapy group for those grieving a loss. Confidentiality must be upheld during the counseling session to protect the members’ privacy and provide a comfortable setting to discuss their problems. Leaders of groups are obligated to get members’ consent after briefing them on the sessions’ goals, logistics, potential hazards, potential rewards, and informational boundaries. Counselors ensure the information they communicate is appropriate for their clients’ developmental levels and cultural context (American Counselling Association, 2014). The professionals utilize easily understandable language when discussing obtaining informed consent with their clientele.
Moreover, it is essential to ensure the group leaders have the experience and education to guide a grieving support group. Leaders of bereavement support groups should be familiar with grief counseling, group therapy, and the grieving process to meet ethical requirements (Luo, 2021). There is also the potential for dual ties between the group leader and some group members, which is another ethical concern in mourning group counseling. This could lead to bias and compromise the quality of the group treatment session. Leaders of groups should set clear boundaries with their followers and avoid conflicts of interest.
Cultural Factors
Leaders of counseling or psychotherapy groups for those dealing with grief would do well to keep cultural differences in mind. Cultural norms and beliefs heavily influence individuals’ perspectives on death and mourning. It is clear from a literature review that the cultural aspects surrounding grief are intricate and multidimensional. Beliefs, customs, and rituals around death and mourning may vary from one culture to the next.
Death, for instance, may be seen as a regular aspect of life in some societies while being seen as a tragic event in others (Moore et al., 2020). Cultural factors such as religion, race, and socioeconomic status may influence how one deals with loss (Zhou et al., 2023). This demonstrates the need for counselors to be culturally aware and mindful when supporting clients through grief.
Group leaders must consider how cultural elements may affect the bereavement experience and how these issues may be brought up when preparing for a varied client group. Leaders should be cognizant of their cultural prejudices and work to foster an atmosphere where all members feel welcome and respected (Luo, 2021). Group leaders can better meet the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds who are grieving by being aware of and responding to cultural aspects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, grieving is a slight problem that can have far-reaching effects on the bereaved. For older individuals who have suffered profound losses, group counseling and psychotherapy can help overcome the emotional and psychological difficulties associated with mourning. When creating a safe space for people to process their feelings, transformational leadership can be an effective method for group facilitators. However, in creating and leading grieving groups for varied populations, it is vital to consider legal and ethical considerations and cultural factors. Group leaders may greatly aid their mourning members by taking a considerate and well-informed approach.
References
American Counselling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics: As Approved by the ACA Governing Council. American Counseling Association.
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Luo, H. (2021). The role of Social Work and social work leadership in pandemic crisis intervention. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 09(05), 639–650. Web.
Maass, U., Hofmann, L., Perlinger, J., & Wagner, B. (2020). Effects of bereavement groups–A systematic review and meta-analysis. Death Studies, 46(3), 708–718. Web.
Moore, S. E., Jones-Eversley, S. D., Tolliver, W. F., Wilson, B., & Harmon, D. K. (2020). Cultural responses to loss and grief among Black Americans: Theory and practice implications for clinicians. Death Studies, 46(1), 189–199. Web.
Zhou, N., Zhao, Y., Smith, K. V., Killikelly, C., Stelzer, E., Maercker, A., Xi, J., & Helm, P. J. (2023). Existential isolation and prolonged grief in bereaved people: The moderating role of culture. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. Web.