The quiet letting go of Autumn, the reflective stillness of Winter, the bright rebirth of Spring, and the flourishing warmth of Summer trace the natural path of grief as it grows and changes to fit the spaces left behind by those we love. Easy-to-use exercise guides and activities invite readers to explore the changeable nature of grief through the ebb and flow of the seasons. As well as contributions from diverse creative practitioners, poems from Dr. Robert Neimeyer and reflections from Claudia Coenen create a starting point to delve into the emotional context of each chapter, encouraging the reader to view each personal account and case study through the lens of a different phase of grief. This heart-centred, compassionate approach infuses bereavement therapy with much-needed warmth, supporting clinically-proven techniques to guide users towards practical, healthy ways of processing their loss. Bringing together voices and art from across the spectrum of creative grief therapy, Coenen provides an accessible, compassionate guide to supporting those coping with bereavement throughout their journey.

Understanding loss and its effects is integral to effective counseling and support in the treatment of grief. This book is both a guide to the key theories of bereavement, and a practical workbook that can be used with clients to help them understand and work through their grief in a positive, transformative way. Divided into two parts, the first section presents current models of grief used by thanatologists, and advice on when to apply them, these models provide a springboard to deepen the conversation with clients, allowing them to discover insights, consider memories and express their pain. In the second part of the book, creative exercises encourage clients to engage with their stories and actively apply their discoveries to their own healing. Offering a straightforward guide to bereavement models and therapeutic approaches, with photocopiable exercises and worksheets, The Creative Toolkit for Working with Grief and Bereavement is a valuable resource for information on grief and how to help grieving clients, and an invitation to explore creative possibilities for healing.

The Karuna Cards were developed in counseling with bereaved families and individuals, and are designed to help anyone struggling with loss, grief or difficult life transitions. Writing in a journal is an effective therapeutic technique, but many people find it difficult to know where to begin. The Karuna Cards help by providing prompts and questions that can be used as starting points, in addition to suggesting therapeutic activities or ideas for simple meditations. Readers can respond to each card by doing the activity, writing in a personal journal or using the card in conversation with someone they trust. The cards can be used by individuals at home or with professionals in counseling sessions, and come with a booklet that provides guidance and recommendations for how to get the best from each card.

This is a practical guide to help readers work through their grief via expressive therapies and activities, based on the techniques Claudia Coenen honed as a professional counselor after the unexpected loss of her husband. This book provides clear methods to process grief, experience its pain and learn how to live fully again. Readers are encouraged to completely engage with their grief through storytelling, self-care and ritual, and honest reflection. The book navigates the reader through the healing process while allowing them the freedom to explore their pain in a way that best fits their unique situation. Eschewing the idea of a 'quick-fix' to grief, it suggests ways in which tragedy and loss can be a springboard for rejuvenation and transformation.