Loss, Grief and Existential Awareness : An Integrative Approach

Loss, Grief and Existential Awareness introduces the Integrated Process Model (IPM), a new interdisciplinary and interprofessional model for grief research, education, and accompaniment that distinguishes and integrates five dimensions of grief: physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual.

Central in this book is the insight that grief is connected to love because it is rooted in losing what is meaningful and dear to us. Once we recognize this, grief can become a window to existential awareness. Combining research on the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual dimensions of grief, the integrated process approach connects this quest for a personal and authentic answer to the big questions in life with the philosophical and therapeutic tradition of existential thinking. Structured in an accessible, informative manner with gradual information building, the book presents the IPM approach at the beginning and then turns to it as a model throughout the book, so the reader gradually will start to deepen their understanding and memorize the framework. The structure is enhanced with boxes with existential reflections and exercises to engage the reader and case presentations of grieving persons who are followed throughout the book.

This book is meant for everyone who is interested in a deeper understanding of how loss and grief can help opening the door to a more meaningful way of living. It is especially helpful for healthcare professionals, therapists, counsellors, chaplains, and researchers.

Mai-Britt Guldin is an authorized psychologist, certified specialist in psychotherapy and supervision, Ph.D., from the Institute for Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark. She is former professor and research director. Now, she works as senior researcher and director at the Center for Grief and Existential Values.

Carlo Leget is currently full professor in care ethics at the University of Humanistic Studies in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and working at the Center for Grief and Existential Values.