Alan D. Wolfelt Libros

An estimated eight percent of Americans are thought to be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder at any given time. Many are victims of or witnesses to violence. Others have been neglected of abused. Some have experienced a traumatic accident or natural disaster. Still others have experienced the sudden and perhaps violent death of someone they love. No matter the cause, PTSD results in symptoms of acute stress, including anxiety, persistent thoughts or flashbacks, and a host of other physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual challenges. In this guide for counselors and caregivers, Dr. Alan Wolfelt reframes PTSD as a form of grief. Helping PTSD sufferers mourn their unacknowledged and “carried” grief over the traumatic events that caused their symptoms is the key to helping them heal. Rather than seeking to quickly treat away symptoms of PTSD, caregivers who follow Dr. Wolfelt’s “companioning” philosophy will instead see the natural and necessary PTSD symptoms as indications that the sufferer needs additional support and encouragement to express himself. This holistic new approach acknowledges clinical PTSD treatments as part of the solution while emphasizing that authentic mourning is the primary and most essential healer.

Exploring the complexities of grief, this book encourages readers to embrace their painful emotions as a manifestation of love for those lost. It challenges conventional notions of closure, addressing various aspects of mourning, including complicated and traumatic grief, grief overload, and feelings of loneliness. The second edition expands on the original content, introducing insights on the significance of rituals and other contemporary grief topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the grieving process.

Focusing on the importance of companionship in the grieving process, this handbook offers a blend of counseling strategies and insights into genuine empathy. It presents 11 tenets designed for caregivers and loved ones to support those in mourning. Key principles emphasize understanding pain, active listening, allowing silence, respecting emotional turmoil, and fostering curiosity over authority. These guidelines aim to create a nurturing environment that honors the mourner's experience while facilitating healing.

This companion workbook to the second edition of Dr. Wolfelt's bestseller Understanding Your Grief helps you explore the many facets of your grief through guided journaling. After you read a section in Understanding Your Grief, the journal asks you questions about what you've just read. It invites you to consider, clarify, and jot down your thoughts and feelings. A good grief journal is a safe place of solace--somewhere you can express yourself no matter what you are experiencing. If you're grieving a death or a significant loss of any kind, this journal and its companion text will help you understand and embrace your grief, actively mourn, and move toward healing. You'll find that the journal can also be used to help honor the person who died and/or work through any lingering relationship issues. As you express your emotions in this journal, you will feel them beginning to soften as well as become more integrated into your ongoing life. Write as much as or as little as you'd like. Even just a little engagement with this journal will help you befriend your grief and give you healing momentum.

Focusing on the needs of those supporting the grieving, this resource emphasizes the importance of listening and compassion. It guides friends, family, and caregivers on how to provide meaningful support, including maintaining regular contact and acknowledging significant anniversaries. The volume offers practical, sensitive suggestions for immediate actions that can help while respecting the mourner's feelings. It serves as a compassionate guide for anyone looking to be a true companion during a difficult time.

Half of all men and one-third of all women in the United States will develop cancer during their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society, and on top of the pain and struggle that patients have to face, a cancer diagnosis can also profoundly affect the lives of their loved ones. Friends and family members who may not know what to do, what to say, or how to help an individual diagnosed with cancer will find guidance and comfort in this book that helps them understand the normal and natural grief their loved one is experiencing. The basic process of grief and mourning is explained, and suggestions are provided for things readers can do to help their friend or family member not only survive, but thrive. Regardless of the type or stage of cancer, the treatment plan, or the prognosis, this compassionate guide will help readers be good companions throughout the journey that is cancer.

Practical methods for healing after the loss of a member of the military When a loved one is killed in the line of duty, this book affirms that survivors’ grief is shaped by the unique circumstances of the death. Because military deaths are almost always sudden and violent, the traumatic nature of the loss creates a two-part grief—one focused on the manner in which the person died, the other focused on the long-term repercussions of life without this special person. This guide acknowledges the unique mixture of sadness, pride, anger, and blame that often characterizes grief after a military death, including in the event of a military suicide, and offers ideas for constructively expressing thoughts and feelings. Anyone whose life has been touched by a military death will find compassionate understanding and healing guidance in the pages of this handbook.

Focusing on the interplay between grief and depression, this compassionate guide offers support for mourners to understand and express their feelings healthily. It emphasizes that experiencing depression after a loss is natural and not always indicative of a clinical issue. Through practical exercises, readers learn to navigate their emotions while recognizing when to seek professional help. In a society that often overlooks mourning, the book provides reassurance and validation, helping individuals appreciate their depression as a normal aspect of the grieving process.

Focusing on the unique grieving process of children and adolescents, this guide emphasizes the six reconciliation needs essential for mourning. It highlights the importance of creating a supportive emotional environment filled with love and acceptance. The book also offers a historical perspective on children and death, underscoring the necessity of empathy from adults. Additionally, it provides practical guidelines for involving children in funeral services, aiming to equip adults with tools to help young people navigate grief and foster their emotional health.

Heartfelt and straightforward, this guide offers practical advice for adult children coping with the loss of a parent. Each page focuses on a single topic, providing manageable ways to process grief, such as writing memories, completing unfinished tasks, and honoring birthdays. It also addresses common challenges like supporting a surviving parent, resolving sibling conflicts, and navigating legal and financial matters, all presented in a clear and concise manner to avoid overwhelming readers.