grieffocused

Grieffocused is a term used to describe strategies, practices, or discourses that center on experiencing, processing, and adapting to grief. It is not a formal diagnostic category but a label used in psychology, counseling, and bereavement support to indicate that grief is treated as the primary focus of attention.

Origin and usage: The concept emerges from decades of grief research and clinical practice. Grieffocused approaches emphasize acknowledging loss, allowing the full range of emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, relief), and pacing coping strategies to the individual’s bereavement trajectory rather than urging rapid positivity or denial.

Applications: In practice, grieffocused methods may include narrative therapy to tell the story of loss, journaling, expressive arts, group support, and psychoeducation on common grief processes. They aim to validate emotions, support meaning-making, and facilitate functional adjustment to life without the loved one.

Research: Empirical evidence on grieffocused approaches is varied. Some studies report improvements in mourning adjustment, reduced avoidance, and better quality of life, while others call for more rigorous trials and clearer operational definitions of what constitutes a grieffocused intervention.

Criticism and considerations: Critics warn that an exclusive focus on grief may pathologize normal responses or overlook cultural differences in grieving. The term can be used variably, so practitioners should align with established ethical guidelines and individual needs.

See also: Grief, Bereavement, Grief therapy.