The reemergence of hope is a common goal in grief counselling. It is also a common motivator for individuals to seek help, and it can be key to grief resolution, just as hopelessness has been identified as a defining characteristic of complicated grief (CG). What exactly is hope? Hope has been defined as “a confident expectation that a desire will be fulfilled” (Webster’s, 1988, p. 466). According to Cutcliffe and Grant (2001, as cited in Cutciffe, 2004), hope is “multi-dimensional, dynamic, empowering, central to life, related to external help, related to caring, orientated towards the future, and highly personalized to each individual” (p.168). Jevne and Miller (1999, as cited in Moore, 2005) described hope as ‘“…amazing. You can’t touch it but you can definitely feel it. You can’t physically see it by itself, but you can hold it and carry it. Hope doesn’t weigh anything but it can ground you and anchor you”’ (p. 101). How can hope and confidence reemerge when one is feeling hopeless?
Cutcliffe (1998) observed that many hope-inspiring strategies are implicit and unobtrusive, and that even the “presence of another human being who demonstrates acceptance, tolerance and understanding [inspires] hope” (p. 755). Therefore, hope inspiration may actually be a by-product of a trusting relationship (Cutcliffe, 2006a). In therapy, clients are supported in accomplishing any tasks of bereavement they deem necessary to help them move towards a healthy end to their bereavement. Providing unconditional and sustained support to clients is accomplished by nurturing the therapeutic connection at the onset, continuing to provide a safe and caring therapeutic atmosphere, and helping the client identify additional sources of support available to them (Cutcliffe, 2004, 2006b). The trusting therapeutic relationship is also necessary for clients to feel free to talk about the deceased without feeling judged or worried that they will cause harm to others (Cutcliffe, 2006b).
This encouragement helps clients feel they have some control over their subjective situation, and this, in turn, can inspire hope. Clients realize through increasing self-awareness that their present feelings of hopelessness can eventually turn around and that their grief is not a fixed state. They also learn that grieving is a process of experiential learning and that they are continually evolving as a result. Thus, they realize the potential for growth in bereavement (Cutcliffe, 2006b).
References:
Cutcliffe, J. R. (1998). Hope, counselling and complicated bereavement reactions. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(4), 754-761.
viagra ordination As expected by the researchers it was revealed that these radiations had an adverse effect on the organism daytime abilities such as feeling exhausted, tired, depleted and more to follow. Can ED be more dangerous than it appears? An episode of ED can cause a panicky reaction in any man. cialis discount generic At the point when retained into the blood vessels. cialis 10 mg It can restore the balance between beneficial intestinal bacteria are the non-drug approach to the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction after gallbladder removal generic for levitra often leads to spasm of this valve. Cutcliffe, J. R. (2004). The inspiration of hope in bereavement counselling. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 25, 165-190.
Cutcliffe, J. R. (2006a). The principles and processes of inspiring hope in bereavement counselling: A modified grounded theory study – part one. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 13, 598-603.
Cutcliffe, J. R. (2006b). The principles and processes of inspiring hope in bereavement counselling: A modified grounded theory study – part two. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing. 13, 604-610.
Moore, S. L. (2005). Hope makes a difference. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental health
Nursing, 12(1), 100-105.
Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language. (Canadian Ed.). (1988).
New York: Lexicon.