Citation

Valente SM. Perspect. Psychiatr. Care 2003; 39(1): 17-22.

Affiliation

University of Southern California, USA. sharon.valente@med.va.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12724962

Abstract

TOPIC: Nurse psychotherapists often feel poorly prepared to cope with a patient's death by suicide. The psychotherapist may identify with the family, feel sad at the death, and be plagued by feelings of guilt and responsibility. PURPOSE: A case study illustrates the meaning of the loss to the therapist and the influence on professional identity, self-confidence, and self-esteem. SOURCES: Case study and review of the literature from Medline, psychinfo, and CINAHL. CONCLUSIONS: Therapists experience their own grief as a lack of omnipotence over suicide, and the fear of their colleagues' responses. Understanding bereavement and factors influencing bereavement may help therapists facilitate and reduce negative consequences of their own grief.

Language: en