Group work with bereaved people: developing person-centered practice

Abstract

In this paper we describe the development of time-limited groups for bereaved people in a UK hospice setting, based upon person-centered theory and practice. Person-centered group work has a long history. However, as with the approach generally, its relevance to grief has received little attention in the literature. This article examines our developing understanding of its links with the wider growth of theory and practice within the bereavement field. We outline the structure of the group and how it is offered, paying particular attention to participants’ need for both the security provided by adequate structure, and the therapeutic opportunities offered by freedom and fluidity. We indicate areas of exploration often visited within this setting, and discuss how a person-centered group approach, informed by theory and research evidence from a variety of disciplines, can respond effectively, be highly attuned, and offer constructive responses to the individual needs of grieving people.