Module 8 – Integration of Models and Theories into Bereavement Coaching Practice
Throughout the previous modules, we have explored a variety of models, theories, and tools to accompany bereaved individuals through their grief process. We have discovered Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief, the dual process model of Stroebe and Schut, Worden’s grief tasks, and the different grief trajectories of Bonanno. We have also studied specific approaches, such as attachment theory, mindfulness, or cognitive restructuring, to support the bereaved in their emotional and existential journey.
However, the true expertise of the GRIEF COACH lies in their ability to integrate these different models and theories into their coaching practice, in a fluid, creative, and personalized manner. It is not merely about applying concepts in a mechanical or standardized way, but rather using them as maps and compasses to navigate the unique landscape of each bereaved individual. Each person experiences their grief in a unique way, depending on their personality, history, culture, and resources. The role of the GRIEF COACH is to adapt their approach to these specificities, whilst relying on solid and proven theoretical frameworks.
In this module, we will explore how to integrate the different models and theories into bereavement coaching practice, aiming to provide support that is both structured and flexible, rigorous, and creative. We will see how to use attachment theory to assess the relational style of the bereaved and adjust our posture accordingly. We will discover how the dual process model can help us accompany the oscillating movements between loss and restoration, respecting each one’s rhythm. We will consider how to use Worden’s grief tasks as a guiding thread to structure our support, while leaving room for the unexpected and for emergence.
We will also explore how Bonanno’s different grief trajectories can help us identify signs of resilience or complications among the bereaved, in order to adjust our approach accordingly. We will see how to integrate mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, or memory work into our coaching sessions, depending on each person’s needs and preferences. Finally, we will consider how to cultivate our own flexibility and creativity as a GRIEF COACH, relying on our intuition, empathy, and clinical experience.
Throughout this module, we will develop an integrative and personalized vision of bereavement coaching that relies on solid models and theories, while leaving space for each unique interaction. We will learn to navigate flexibly among the different approaches, using them as resources rather than dogma. We will foster our ability to adjust in real time to the bereaved’s needs, by listening to their words, their silences, and their emotions. By doing so, we can provide truly personalized support that adapts to the rhythm and style of each individual, while maintaining a clear and caring direction.
By integrating models and theories into our bereavement coaching practice, we become artisans of supportive relationships, capable of drawing on a rich palette of tools and resources to assist the bereaved in their journey. We develop both a rigorous and intuitive expertise, which allows us to offer both structuring and personalized support. Most importantly, we learn how to be fully present to others in their uniqueness, welcoming their experience with openness, respect, and humanity.
