What is Grief and Loss Theory in Social Work?
As a social worker, understanding grief and loss theory is crucial in helping clients navigate one of the most challenging experiences in life. Various theoretical frameworks provide guidance on how individuals process grief, and applying them effectively in practice can greatly enhance the support provided to the bereaved.
We find the Acute and Integrated Grief Model a helpful way to look at loss, as it acknowledges the intensity of early grief while also recognising the importance of moving towards acceptance and integration. This framework provides a balanced perspective, helping individuals understand that grief is a process that evolves over time.
Now, we’ll shift focus to the Grief and Loss Theory in Social Work.
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Explore our courses, including Grief Models, which covers Continuing Bonds theory.
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Kubler-Ross Five Stages of Grief
Developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, this model outlines five emotional stages that individuals may experience following a loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is important to note that grief is not always linear, and it may be more helpful to think of the ‘stages’ as emotions which a person may or may not experience.
How to Use This Model in Practice:
- Validate your client’s emotions by recognising that their experience of grief is unique.
- Use open-ended questions to help them explore their feelings.
- Be mindful that not everyone will experience all five stages or in the same order.
- Be aware of the origins and criticisms of using this model in grief (learn more about the five stages of grief and our approach here).
At The Loss Foundation, we recognise that grief is deeply personal and varies for everyone. Rather than a fixed path through set stages, we see it as a fluid process—waves of emotion that rise and fall over time, shaped by each individual’s unique experience and connection to their loss.
Dual Process Model
This model, developed by Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut, describes grief as an oscillation between loss-oriented stress (actively mourning) and restoration-oriented stress (adjusting to life without the deceased).
How to Use This Model in Practice:
- Encourage clients to acknowledge their loss while also engaging in day-to-day activities.
- Support them in finding a balance between processing grief and engaging in restorative actions.
- Normalise shifting between moments of sadness and moments of normalcy.
Two-Track Model of Bereavement
This framework assesses both the emotional impact of loss and how individuals function in daily life after a loss.
How to Use This Model in Practice:
- Assess both emotional and practical challenges your client faces.
- Encourage clients to maintain healthy routines and responsibilities to support their overall well-being.
- Support them in integrating the memory of their loved one into their ongoing life.
Continuing Bonds Theory
This theory challenges the idea that individuals need to “let go” of the deceased to heal. Instead, it suggests that maintaining a psychological connection can be a healthy way to grieve.
How to Use This Model in Practice:
- Help clients find meaningful ways to honour their loved ones, such as storytelling, creating rituals, or keeping mementos.
- Reinforce that continuing bonds are natural and can provide comfort in the grieving process.
- Encourage writing letters, creating memory books, or speaking about the deceased to maintain a sense of connection.
By integrating these theories into your practice, you can provide tailored support that respects each client’s individual grieving process.
A Resource for Social Workers Supporting Clients
This workbook provides structured activities and practical tools to help individuals navigate loss, offering a blend of reflection, coping strategies, and therapeutic exercises.
📖 73 pages, 20 supportive activities & 8 audio meditations
🧠 Created by our Clinical Psychologists
✍️ A blend of reflection, practical exercises & coping strategies
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Your Grief Journey Workbook£15.00
How Do Social Workers Help with Grief?
Social workers provide comprehensive support to those experiencing grief by addressing emotional, psychological, and practical needs. Their role includes:
1. Emotional Support
- Offering a safe space for individuals to express feelings of loss and sadness.
- Providing validation and reassurance that grief responses are normal and unique to each individual.
- Using therapeutic interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy to help individuals process loss.
2. Practical Assistance
- Connecting clients with bereavement support groups, community resources, and professional services.
- Assisting with practical matters such as funeral planning, legal issues, and financial support.
- Supporting families in navigating changes in family dynamics after a loss.
3. Advocacy and Policy Support
- Helping clients access bereavement leave and workplace accommodations.
- Promoting grief-informed policies within organisations and communities.
- Ensuring that individuals from marginalised communities receive culturally competent bereavement support.
“Supporting someone to navigate the complexities of grief can feel challenging. These worksheets aim to shed light on the grieving process and equip a person with tools to process loss, while looking after themselves in grief.“
Dr Erin Hope Thompson MBE – Founder and Director of The Loss Foundation
Bereavement Training for Social Workers
The Importance of Bereavement Training
Bereavement Training is crucial for social workers to enhance their ability to provide compassionate and effective grief support. Given the complexity of grief, professional training equips social workers with the necessary skills to:
- Understand the different grief models and how they apply to real-world situations.
- Recognise complicated or prolonged grief that may require specialised interventions.
- Develop emotional resilience to prevent burnout while supporting grieving individuals.
- Improve communication skills to handle sensitive conversations with empathy.
- Gain confidence in addressing grief-related challenges in diverse professional settings.
Bereavement Training UK & Online Options
For professionals seeking Bereavement Training UK, several organisations offer specialised programs tailored to regional and national bereavement policies. Additionally, Bereavement Training Online provides flexible learning options, allowing social workers to enhance their knowledge and skills at their own pace.
Who Benefits from Bereavement Training?
- Social workers supporting clients experiencing grief and loss.
- Healthcare professionals such as nurses, hospice workers, and mental health practitioners.
- Educators and school counselors assisting grieving students and families.
- Workplace managers and HR professionals navigating bereavement policies and employee support.
- Community support workers providing grief services in various settings.
How Can a Social Worker Help Someone Emotionally?
Social workers play a vital role in emotional support by implementing evidence-based strategies to help individuals cope with grief. Some key approaches include:
1. Active Listening and Validation
- Encouraging individuals to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment.
- Using reflective listening techniques to ensure clients feel heard and understood.
- Recognising that grief is non-linear and validating a range of emotional responses.
2. Emotional Regulation Strategies
- Teaching mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help manage overwhelming emotions.
- Encouraging expressive activities such as journaling, art, or music therapy.
- Introducing structured coping mechanisms like goal-setting to facilitate emotional stability.
3. Group Support and Peer Connection
- Organising bereavement support groups for shared experiences and mutual encouragement.
- Providing psychoeducation on grief and loss to normalise the grieving process.
- Encouraging social engagement and community involvement to combat isolation.
The Loss Foundation’s Bereavement Training
The Loss Foundation’s Bereavement Training equips professionals with the tools to support grieving individuals effectively. Delivered by Clinical Psychologists, the training is tailored for nonprofits, businesses, healthcare providers, and social workers who encounter bereavement in their roles.
“She was so passionate about her work… which made learning from her interesting.” – Training Delegate
Dr. Erin Hope Thompson MBE, Founder and Director of The Loss Foundation, leads the content creation and delivery of our bereavement training.
As a Clinical Psychologist, she has extensive experience across the NHS, private, and third sectors. In 2022, Dr. Thompson was awarded an MBE for her services to bereaved families.
Why Choose The Loss Foundation’s Bereavement Training?
- Expert-Led Learning: Training is developed and delivered by Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience in grief and bereavement.
- Customisable Content: Programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of different professional settings, ensuring relevant and practical applications.
- Practical Post-Training Resources: Participants receive a comprehensive workbook with tools and action plans to reinforce learning.
- Flexible Training Delivery: Sessions are available in-person and online, accommodating diverse schedules and learning preferences.
Grief training for social workers
Social workers are in a unique position to offer meaningful, compassionate support to those experiencing loss.
By investing in Bereavement Training, you can develop the skills and confidence needed to guide individuals through their grief with empathy and professionalism.
Key outcomes of our training include:
- Greater emotional resilience when supporting grieving individuals
- Able to manage sensitive situations and provide empathetic support
- Communication skills for handling difficult conversations with confidence
- Skills for personal wellbeing while supporting others
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills when addressing grief-related challenges
Additional Support for Participants
Beyond training, The Loss Foundation offers ongoing support to ensure that participants can integrate their learning effectively. This includes:
- Access to mental health resources curated by Clinical Psychologists.
- Industry-specific strategies for applying bereavement training in different workplaces.
- A community of professionals dedicated to improving grief support practices.
Contact us about our bereavement training for social workers
Further reading
🧠 Understand the ‘Stages’ of Grief
Many people first encounter grief through the idea of “stages,” but the model is often simplified or misunderstood.
Our Stages of Grief page looks at where the framework began, what each stage represents, and how it can support understanding – without suggesting that grief unfolds in a tidy order.
Explore the page to learn:
📘 A clear explanation of what the Five Stages are (and what they’re not)
🧭 Why grief rarely moves in a straight line
🌊 How feelings can rise and fall in waves
🧩 Other grief models that may resonate more with your experience
Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash