How to Help Someone Through Loss and Grief: A Practical Handbook

Written by a clinical psychologist specializing in grief trauma, this empathetic guide provides advice for family and friends supporting someone after the death of a loved one. Watching a friend or family member experience a life-changing loss can be heartbreaking. And often we don't know how best to help. In this empathetic and highly practical book, clinical psychologist Dr Emma Cotterill includes her lived experience and that of others to provide readers with a valuable blend of both real-life and clinical advice. Dr Cotterill first helps you understand what grief can look like and the psychology that underpins the human experience of loss. She then helps you navigate how best to help: from providing emotional and practical support, to knowing what to say and what not to say. Dr Cotterill also recognizes the emotional toll that accompanies supporting someone through their grief, and gives strategies to ensure you look after yourself.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: Understanding grief and loss and what the experiences is like for the grieving person  Understanding grief and loss – theory and education  What grief can look like – in the short and long term   Practical consequences of dealing with grief and loss ("grief admin") Challenges of living with grief for the person grieving / the hidden aspects of grief  Misunderstanding of what grief looks like and individual differences in this  When grief becomes intertwined with mental health difficulties (depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.)  Part 2: How to help someone through grief and loss  Practical help Emotional support Communication and staying in touch  Individual differences in support needed  How to talk about the person who has died  What not to say – unhelpful platitudes  How to remember the person who has died  How to keep showing up  The burden of being present in someone else's grief when it isn't changing  Considering risk: what to do if your loved one is experiencing suicidal ideation Part 3: How to support yourself when supporting someone else Recognizing the emotional toll of being around others' grief  How to take care of yourself if you are grieving too Self-care

About the Author :
Dr Emma Cotterill is a chartered clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience. She supports individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, with specialist experience in supporting parents and mothers, and exploring issues of grief, loss and trauma. She uses an individualized integrative therapy approach, drawing on CBT, ACT, CFT, EMDR, systemic approaches and mindfulness. Dr Cotterill is the author of How to Help Someone with Depression, Mental Health Microgains, and Surviving Solo Motherhood.