Grief and the Healing Arts (Death, Value and Meaning Series) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0895031981 ISBN 13: 9780895031983

Publisher: Routledge, 1999

Synopsis

For nearly three decades, Sandra Bertman has been exploring the power of the arts and belief--symbols, metaphors, stories--to alleviate psychological and spiritual pain not only of patients, grieving family members, and affected communities but also of the nurses, clergy and physicians who minister to them. Her training sessions and clinical interventions are based on the premise that bringing out the creative potential inherent in each of us is just as relevant-- perhaps more so--as psychiatric theory and treatment models since grief and loss are an integral part of life. Thus, this work was compiled to illuminate the many facets that link grief, counseling, and creativity. The multiple strategies suggested in these essays will help practitioners enlarge their repertoire of hands-on skills and foster introspection and empathy in readers.

About this title

About the Author:

Sandra Bertman, Ph.D., recently relocated to Boston College Graduate School Work where she is Research Professor of Palliative Care. Formerly Professor of Humanities in Medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical and Graduate Nursing Schools, Dr. Bertman was founding director of the program of Medical Humanities and the Arts in Healthcare. Awarded the Distinguished Professional Service Award by the University at large, she also was the recipient of the American Journal of Hospice Care s Award for extending her classroom and counseling techniques to patients, families and staff in hospice, hospital, and other therapeutic settings, and was named Outstanding Death Educator by both the Association of Death Education and Counseling and the National Center for Death Education. Her publication and media credits include the classic handbook Facing Death: Images, Insights and Interventions (1991), the documentary film Dying (PBS-TV, 1974), the column Staying Soulful for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine s bulletin, and the project Care for the Caregivers addressing grief dynamics and HIV/AIDS burnout in Africa.

Review:

It is important to realize how loss can lead into creativity and that this can, in its own way, be enormously healing. In the Hospice Movement we are continually assessing how even the dying can have creative moments. Some of the chapters in this book, for example that on Munch, give important messages for living as well as dying. --Dame Cicely Saunders, OM., DBE., FRCP, Chairman, St. Christopher's Hospice

This book is a rare find, one that truly does show us ways to use the healing arts to help grievers transcend loss. Every and any therapist or educator will gain so much of value here from practical techniques to soaring theoretical insights. Grief and the Healing Arts is on its way to becoming a classic. It is a must have book. --Ken Doka, Ph.D., Past President, Association for Death Education and Counseling

This book is worthy of a cover-to-cover read by professionals. It also needs to be dissected. Explore the subjects that catch your attention from your professional perspective. Read what looks familiar, but let them speak to you in new ways. Be challenged by the approaches and perspectives that are new to you or may, on the surface, seem to out of your skills league or your professional definitions. The book will redefine both for you. This book is mandatory reading if you feel your clients, parishioners, patients or students deserve the best. --Rev. Dr. Richard B. Gilbert, BCC, Executive Director of The World Pastoral Care Center

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0895031981
• ISBN 13: 9780895031983
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 440
• Editor: Bertman Sandra L.