Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Prolonged Grief in Children: Feasibility and Multiple Baseline Study

Abstract

There is growing recognition of a syndrome of disturbed grief referred to as prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Although mostly studied in adults, clinically significant PGD symptoms have also been observed in children and adolescents. To date, no effective treatment for childhood PGD yet exists. We developed a 9-session cognitive-behavioral treatment for childhood PGD, combined with 5 sessions of parental counseling. In the present article, the content of this treatment is described. We also describe findings of a multiple baseline study among 6 bereaved children and adolescents. This study showed that the intervention coincided with reductions in symptoms of PGD and other self-rated and parent-rated symptoms. All participating children and parents gave favorable scores to the satisfaction about each session, the contact with their therapist, and the information they received, attesting to the feasibility of this treatment approach.