Bereavement Group Therapy in School: the role of a belief in a post‐death existence within adolescent development for the acceptance process of loss[1

Abstract

As adolescents move away from parents towards peer group support, they develop their sense of self through challenge and reaction against authority. The parent/ guardian stands as the authority, but if the rule‐imposing figure is unexpectedly taken away the progress towards a sense of self is affected. School provides a social context for normalcy, but rarely is support found for bereaved youngsters in school. Adolescents in bereavement group therapy are able to share their experiences and begin to confront their loss through discourse, and such an approach in school serves to prepare pupils for later in‐depth individual counselling to work on guilt and maladaptive behaviour. Beliefs of an after‐life existence, which move from literal to figurative motifs, serve as coping mechanisms to help guide the youth through towards an acceptance and a sense of hopefulness. A model is presented that is in‐keeping with the developmental stage of adolescence, that utilizes peers as a therapeutic resource — those who have similarly been bereaved of loved ones. A study carried out at Shenley court comprehensive School and Sixth Form center, Shenley Lane, Northfield, Birmingham B29 4HE, UK. A full transcript of the discourse is available from the author.