From the Editor
Grief is a normal human response to loss that we should be wary of pathologising. But, as Catherine Jackson discusses in our ‘Big issue’ report, there is growing awareness that grief can also be complex or prolonged. Catherine interviewed some of the world’s top grief researchers, writers and practitioners on what complicates the grieving process, and when therapy does – and doesn’t – help. Don’t miss ‘Navigating complex grief’; as Julia Samuel says, it’s an issue that we will be seeing more often in our therapy rooms, post-pandemic.
Loss is of course a recurrent theme in therapeutic work so it’s no surprise that it features often in Therapy Today. In this issue, we also explore the phenomenon of womb twin loss. An estimated 10–15% of all single pregnancies start out as multiples, according to Donna McDonald, who focused her master’s research on the subject, and the loss can have a lasting impact on the surviving twin’s relationship patterns and attachment styles. You can read more in her article, ‘Healing from hidden loss’.
Loss by suicide is perhaps the hardest of all to process, and when it’s a client, the loss takes on an extra dimension for their therapist. For Dinah Mears, the suicide of a client came 30 years after her younger brother also chose to end his life. The experiences left her with a need to understand suicide beyond the dominant discourse of ‘it must be stopped’. Our ‘Best practice’ feature this month, ‘Choosing life or death’, is her moving account of what she learned.
I would like to thank Donna and Dinah and all the practitioners who have added to the collective knowledge of our profession by writing an article for Therapy Today. If you’ve always wanted to contribute but are not sure if your idea is suitable, do drop us an email – we aim to offer guidance on structure and content where appropriate. Alternatively, I’d like to encourage you to consider contributing to one of our columns or composite articles – see the panel below for details. It’s your membership magazine, and if you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Sally Brown, Editor
Main features
Regulars
From the Chair
‘Self-care can easily be overlooked as we edge our way out of the pandemic’
Natalie Bailey reflects on the symbolism of the changing of the guard
From the Editorial Board
'As institutions and individuals, we need to be curious about what is being avoided’
Jessie Emilion reflects on what has really changed
It changed my life
‘Family therapy healed my relationship with my mother’
My practice
‘I can’t read body language or make eye contact, but I can take listening to a three-dimensional level’
Talking point
Screen tests: Is CPD better online or in person?
Dilemma
Is it ok to work with a client who is related to a former client?
Analyse me
Emma Reed Turrell speaks for herself