2011

All counselors will work with clients facing issues of grief and loss. It could, in fact, be argued that all client issues involve elements of grief and loss. Given the prevalence of grief issues within the field, it is imperative that counselors be prepared to work with diverse clients and their unique grief issues. Currently, the Council for Accreditation and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) does not require specific training in the area of grief and loss and many practicing counselors continue to utilize outdated models such as Kubler-Ross (1969). Further training, therefore, is the responsibility of each counselor. It is critical that counselors educate themselves on grief and loss issues in order to provide effective counseling services that consider individual client needs and experiences. This article will provide an overview of the current trends in grief counseling. These trends include the recognition of the uniqueness of the griever, questioning the grief work hypothesis, continuing bonds with the deceased, recognition of culture, and the use of multiple theoretical models that reflect these trends.