Surviving : When Someone You Love Was Murdered : A Professionals Guide to Group Grief Therapy for Families and Friends of Murder Victims
by Lula Moshoures Redmond
Category: Self-Help

Based on clinical work with over 300 bereaved survivors of murder victims, this book focuses much-needed attention on practical methods for assisting the "forgotten mourners" who experience the intense psychological trauma caused by the sudden, intentional & unexpected death of a loved one. The core of SURVIVING is a detailed account of the program Redmond instituted in Florida, the Homicide Survivors Group of Pinellas County (HSGP). This program offers a variety of services to survivors, including a twelve-week group grief therapy program, individual counseling, mutual support groups, a volunteer training course, an educational & clinical skills training program to mental health professionals, educational outreach to concerned community organizations & a newsletter directed to concerns of survivors. Using HSGP as a tested & proven model, Redmond has created a clearly written & comprehensive guidebook, or "how-to-do-it," for mental health professionals who wish to develop similar programs in their own communities. Information is provided on program start-up, design & organization, as well as on developing sources of funding. Procedures for assisting survivors--from the initial intake session through long-term followup--are explained thoroughly. Clear expositions of thanatological theory & research provide the necessary underpinnings for descriptions of the practical, nuts-&-bolts issues associated with running a community-based program of assistance to this population of bereaved persons. Organizational materials (including intake & release forms as well as project proposals) & materials relevant to therapist training are reproduced in an appendix, as are suggested readings for group members & other bibliographic references.