Analyzing Grief: Solution Focused and Narrative Therapy Techniques

This report delves into the application of solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy for families grappling with grief and loss. It begins by addressing common issues arising from bereavement and highlights essential knowledge and skills, including the adaptation of constructive skills when working with clients experiencing loss. The report examines the Genogram as a tool for understanding family dynamics and explores the impact of personal experiences, such as the loss of a family member, on an individual's professional and personal life. It details the benefits of solution-focused therapy, emphasizing its goal-oriented approach and techniques like questioning and rating scales. The report also outlines narrative therapy, its focus on separating individuals from their problems, and the use of techniques like externalization and unique outcomes. Finally, it covers constructive skills, including interpretation and communication, and analyzes family history and dynamics to mitigate difficulties and promote personal and professional learning in the context of grief and loss.

USING SOLUTION
FOCUSED THERAPY
AND NARRATIVE
THERAPY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Solution Focused Therapy...........................................................................................................2
Narrative Therapy.......................................................................................................................3
Constructive Skills and Their Uses.............................................................................................5
Incorporating an analysis of your own family history and dynamics ........................................5
Steps required to Mitigate Difficulties........................................................................................7
Personal and professional learning..............................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Grief is a response which is generated within individuals in case they experience some
form of loss. This loss could be losing a possession or passing away of some member of the
family which induces this feeling in individuals and affect their personal and professional life
(Thompson and Lund, 2017). However, it is crucial for these people suffering from losses to be
provided appropriate support and therapies as approaches to help them in dealing with this
situation in a better manner and rise above their loss and overpower the grief. The following
paper is based on using solution focused therapy and narrative therapy for families dealing with
grief and loss. It includes a summary of common issues typically arising in working with grief
and loss and important areas of knowledge and skill are required to to supplement constructive
approach and use of generic constructive skills (Worden, 2018). Moreover, it also reflects how
use of these skills might need to be adapted when working with such type of client presentation,
issue or population. In addition to this, the paper also covers issues and resources in own family
history and current relationship dynamics and how they might constrain or enhance working in
relationship counselling. Apart from this, the report includes steps required to mitigate
difficulties to promote greater flexibility in work and most important personal and professional
learning taken from the workshop.
MAIN BODY
This report is based on the Genogram which is a graphical representation of a family tree that
displays on detailed data on any relationship among different individuals. It basically goes
beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to analyse hereditary patterns and other
factors such as psychological that is help to punctuates the relationships (Huss, 2015). During the
working, common issues such as depression, sad and also being devastated, as because of pass
away of grandfather which was tough condition to be overcome to work in life more effectively
and also with real purpose. In reality one needs to be act as an understandable to overcome
critical issues in real life. Person generally feels sad when there close ones get away from them
and might be loved ones (Hou and et. al., 2015). In these situation, persons starts feeling alone
and also these people to keep them away from working or any kind of professional
performances. In report, a person has lost his grandfather as because of critical disease and that
1

time was very critical for me, where person has started loosing his interest and mind to work in a
proper or defined manner.
This experience has left the person not focusing on own work and decreases confidences
to down level as reason of passed away of close ones. In this, try was hard to overcome this loss,
as this is big and severe to be overcomes to work properly with a respect and trust among others.
This incidental loss has brought down my moral, confidence and loss of strengths to do work.
These are some of the common issues which has been arises out of given problem area.
These effects skill and capabilities of own, as such big loss and passed of a closely ones.
As a reason of this, my focus was diverted and which is a reason of my non-performance into the
work area. Also, this has proved important for own to overcome issues to rise the level of to the
professional working along with overcoming of a critical issues into a given period or duration to
gather business continuance (Barron and Abdullah, 2015). Hence, after incidence, interest and
moral of a person has lower on which, mandatory is to take correct decision making in context of
how these inefficiency into personal or professional working would be carry on. Hence,
adaptation and redevelopment of skill is necessary, in which focus will be on overcoming
defined negative experiences into the positive. In this, necessary is to understand the dynamics
and know members of the family, so ta that a corrective decision making or action plan would be
taken to make working more preferred.
With help of this, chances are to deal with bad condition to gain major confidences to get
handle these in an early period of time. One would get the right advantage of experiencing these
issues to accomplish goals in given period of time (Burke and et. al., 2015). This incident has
caused negative impact to a person in case of doing any defined job in given period of time.
Hence, this would be necessary to led an effective strategy to bring prospective level of learning
and also a motivation for a person who is suffering from any critical issues.
Solution Focused Therapy
Solution focused therapy is an effective aspect which refers to a practice where the
emphasis is entirely upon present as well as future circumstances in an individual's life rather
than their experiences in the past (Weatherhead, 2017). This is a goal-oriented therapy, under
which issues or symptoms which have induced individuals to take up therapy are not taken into
account. Rather, the focus of this therapy is entirely on the future where an effective vision is
developed as part of the treatment, along with essential support to individuals and families
2

suffering from grief and loss. This is an effective sort of therapeutic intervention which is applied
by therapists worldwide in several cases where the concerning patients are either suffering from
some sort of loss in the family or suffering from intense grief.
It works effectively in relation to solving problems within families dealing with loss. It
targets each family member who are experiencing grief and analyse what actions are being taken
by these family members in relation to initiate lifestyle and behavioural changes. Further,
therapists using this theories apply several interventions like rating scales with markings from 0-
10, questioning techniques, compliments as well as empathy (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy,
2019). All these techniques help individuals of the family in recognising various personal virtues
within them some of which are strength and courage, which could contribute effectively in
improving condition of the members in rising above their grief and effectively work upon
themselves to overcome loss.
As for techniques applied within this therapy, there are few techniques which were
applied on me and my family while we tried to cope up with the loss of my grandfather. For
instance, therapists applied techniques like asking us several coping questions which are
directed towards how well we could cope up with all such challenges in our daily lives.
However, in my experience, this theory could effectively be applied on other people as
well and different other techniques could be utilised by therapists to ensure appropriate
treatment. For example, therapists could use Miracle Questions in relation to help individuals in
improving their situation through creating a vision in front of them for the future where there are
no problems or losses experienced by the people involved in the treatment. Further, an effective
line of questioning could also be developed through which it could be explained to these
individuals how different could their lives be if they stop suffering from grief. This allows the
suffering individuals to take practical steps which could be undertaken by them in relation to
change and improvement. However, as per its limitations, the focus is completely on present and
future of the individual with respect to the problem, which might be ineffective if there is patient
who is suffering from some past trauma. Thus, there are some places, on which these aspects are
limited, which are quite crucial to be understood effectively (Daiches, 2015).
Narrative Therapy
This therapy is sort of counselling which separates individuals from the issues which
they are facing. In addition to this, this therapy is directed towards encouraging individuals in
3

embracing changes and be expert of their respective lives. Furthermore, another assumption on
which this therapy works is that individuals possess several competencies, skills, values, beliefs
as well as commitments which would help them in reducing influences and effects which are
faced by them. In this therapy, therapists play an equal an effective part within the treatment and
help in appropriately carving a pathway for improvisation in lives of the patients. This is done
through narrative conversations which must be interactive as well as collaborative with patients.
There are several techniques and interventions which could be applied by therapists
which would help individuals in effectively enhancing their life standards and cope up with
stress. For instance, externalisation technique were applied by my therapist to my family where
therapists focused on escalating my family members in a place where they could treat the loss
that we are suffering as external (Burnette, 2017). Furthermore, the purpose for which this
technique was implemented was to boost confidence of our family members. Moreover, another
agenda of this technique is that it was applied by the therapist to change our behaviour towards
life after loss of our grandfather.
Another effective techniques which could be applied by individuals suffering from loss is
unique outcomes as well as narrative story technique. The latter is one of the widest used
techniques among therapists. In this, therapists could provide ample time to individuals to
effectively cope up with the change. Further, the story is used by the therapists to heal and
convert the same into an effective opportunity. As for the former approach, it is quite a complex
procedure but somehow helps in fulfilling the agenda of narrative therapy. This requires the
therapists to change storyline provided by individuals. In addition to this, the focus of this theory
is entirely on changing perspectives of individuals present in the treatment. Furthermore, through
consideration of different scenarios, individuals could effectively overcome their grief and
modify their present as well as future state of mind. However, while applying this theory, there
are several limitations which are required to be assessed before its application. For instance,
within this theory, focus of therapists is on changing reality, which might be harmful in case
where acceptance is considered. Furthermore, its application is quite wide, which is somewhat
hard and complex to track, thus, there could be no effective way for application of this therapy
(Da Paz and Wallander, 2017).
4

Constructive Skills and Their Uses
There are several areas of knowledge which are quite important for individuals to
recognise which might be required to supplement a constructive approach. For instance, it is very
crucial to understand psychology of the patients and gain effective knowledge of a person's
mental behaviour and any sort of history associated with their past as well as present. Another
area of knowledge are the skills and attitude which are required to deal with people suffering
from loss.
Constructive skills are the ones which could help a person develop a constructive
approach to help others in dealing with the same (Beng and et. al., 2015). When working with
this type of clients, issue or population, one must effectively develop several skills. As per my
experience, the first and foremost skill which could be used is interpretation skills. Since
description of a person's story is quite subjective, it is very important for individuals to interpret
effectively and make effective sense of their condition. Furthermore, communication skills is
another skill which could be utilised for constructive approach. These skills must be adapted by
individual if they need to cope others up effectively to deal with their problems.
Incorporating an analysis of your own family history and dynamics
In my family, total of 6 member are currently living such as my father, my mother, her
father and mother which are in age group of 70 plus and I also have brother who is 23 in the age.
My grandfather and grandmother was already passed away. Our family used to live in the
Sydney, Australia and also we used to be live with happiness and prestige. My father is business
person, mother is a home-maker and we two brother are working as students in private university
to pursue the master course. Strength of our family are basically those we respect and also we
have a kind of togetherness due to the help of which I have done this project.
In the last two year's, we have lost both our grandfather and grandmother which was
close to us. Because of this, my moral and confidence has got and as a reason of this.
When grandfather was passed away, that was tough for our family to get work and being
engaged in other holdings. Hence, this is proactive for me to focus again on my work and again
to get back on previous path of career working engagements (Scholtes and Browne, 2015).
Hence, it will be prominent to take certain decision making to work to make own just get back to
work along with increasing rules of business performances and own professional work.
5

Relationship of my each and every family are important in relation to how one individual
behave in one common pattern and also how behaviour pattern of one family member's effects
other behaviour and nature to be act in common or way. Hence, in this I need to analyse work or
behave pattern of an each other so as to common relationship would be built with almost priority.
When my grandfather was passed, that was a depressed and because of which for some I
lost my coolness, attitude was become negative and behaviour was like angry and even not easy
to handle in any situation. From that period till now, I tried hard to get from this critical situation
and for this, I was well tried to control my nature, behaviour and also rescues from my parents
from any kind of depressed situation or condition. Also, I was tried to adopt new skill such as
patience to have proper control on my behaviour and also keeping view on my point of time.
This thing has become a sense of positive learning for me, so that effective will be done
and with a help of which I can grew over the aspects of an effective educational learning or job
performing (Rees, 2017). Hence, as a long time learner, learning from this sad experience is
necessary to be understood to make more learning and real life performances into the recognised
manner.
6

With help of this experiences, learning has found as an opportunity to led growth and re-
back of the lost strength with a increased to gather positive results in a personal life or work
goals. Here, an opportunity is to raise proper understanding of own role and making a real life
exp to gather business goals for an entire life purpose or defined goals (Kronur and et. al., 2015) .
Hence from a pure and proper learning is necessary to be led to make decision more proactive
and adoptive. Also, this will be prominent to take decision making in that context.
Steps required to Mitigate Difficulties
There are various steps which could be utilised by people in relation to mitigate any
difficulties and promote greater flexibilities (Jaaniste and et. al., 2015). For instance, it is crucial
for oneself to talk about death of their loved ones. It allowed me to appropriately realise the issue
and deal with my loss by sharing it with others. The next step requires a person to accept the
grief, which is perhaps one of the hardest steps within this process. Moreover, as per my
experience, I found it to be of utmost importance to appropriately take care of one's own family
which would help them deal with struggle more appropriately. In addition, it is very important
for individuals to remember and celebrate lives of your loved ones. Losing my grandfather made
me realise value of my family. Lastly, it is also important for people to reach out for help to
better cope with the situation.
Personal and professional learning
In this, I have a major chances to recap my skills such as confidence, analysis & patience
which are required to brings curriculum of own working and process in order to bring own
process of performances into the serious manner. While looking upon own experiences I have
gone for own learning to shown and get with what abilities or potential to face situation can be
overcome in order to gather proper and effective results.
In the workshop, this would help me to gather effective exposure and also skill to gather
relevant knowledge, skills or expertise to learn from this experiences at a point to point basis.
This would effect me into the positive manner to enhances the curriculum working and
also bringing of the skills to enrich the self proposal of performances in any learning
environment.
In this, learning related to how confidence can be build up and what are some of the
factor which can effect this type of learning to act be effective in an environment to work. Long
7

term learning is proactive, in that case where a person get up things from their past and used to
be learnt from this one.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, skills and development is necessary in an every business context,
which would assist in an overall development of a person who has suffered from any critical
issues and situation in given period of time. Also, bad time makes person capable and able to do
work to gather self en-richness into the life for longer period of time or gather a positive
exposure from any situation to get a perfect results over a given period of time or duration,
Lastly, this has proved as necessary for an individual to gather positive results or matter to
overall development in the life.
8

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Barron, I. G. and Abdallah, G., 2015. Intergenerational trauma in the occupied Palestinian
territories: Effect on children and promotion of healing. Journal of Child & Adolescent
Trauma. 8(2).s pp.103-110.
Beng, T.S., and et. al., 2015. Mindfulness-Based Supportive Therapy (MBST) Proposing a
Palliative Psychotherapy From a Conceptual Perspective to Address Suffering in
Palliative Care. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 32(2), pp.144-
160.
Burke, L. A., and et. al., 2015. Risk factors for anticipatory grief in family members of
terminally ill veterans receiving palliative care services. Journal of Social Work in End-
of-Life & Palliative Care. 11(3-4). pp.244-266.
Da Paz, N. S. and Wallander, J. L., 2017. Interventions that target improvements in mental health
for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: A narrative review. Clinical
psychology review. 51. pp.1-14.
Ewing, E. S. K., and et. al., 2015. Attachment-based family therapy for depressed and suicidal
adolescents: Theory, clinical model and empirical support. Attachment & human
development. 17(2). pp.136-156.
Figley, C. R. and Burnette, C. E., 2017. Building bridges: Connecting systemic trauma and
family resilience in the study and treatment of diverse traumatized families.
Traumatology. 23(1). p.95.
Hou, Z., and et. al., 2015. UV-emitting upconversion-based TiO2 photosensitizing nanoplatform:
near-infrared light mediated in vivo photodynamic therapy via mitochondria-involved
apoptosis pathway. Acs Nano. 9(3). pp.2584-2599.
Huss, E., 2015. A theory-based approach to art therapy: Implications for teaching, research and
practice. Routledge.
Jaaniste, J., and et. al., 2015. Drama therapy with older people with dementia—Does it improve
quality of life?. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 43. pp.40-48.
Johnson, S. M., 2015. Emotionally focused couple therapy. Clinical handbook of couple therapy,
pp.97-128.
Konanur, S., and et. al., 2015. Effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in a
community-based program. Child abuse & neglect. 50. pp.159-170.
Scholtes, D. and Browne, M., 2015. Internalized and externalized continuing bonds in bereaved
parents: Their relationship with grief intensity and personal growth. Death Studies, 39(2),
pp.75-83.
Silove, D., Ventevogel, P. and Rees, S., 2017. The contemporary refugee crisis: an overview of
mental health challenges. World Psychiatry. 16(2). pp.130-139.
Thompson, N. and Lund, D.A., 2017. Loss, grief, and trauma in the workplace. Routledge.
Weatherhead, S. and Daiches, A., 2015. Key issues to consider in therapy with Muslim families.
Journal of religion and health. 54(6). pp.2398-2411.
Worden, J. W., 2018. Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health
practitioner. Springer Publishing Company.
Online
9

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. 2019. [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/therapy-types/solution-focused-brief-therapy>
10