Childhood traumatic grief counselling: A South African case study

Abstract

This study explored the efficacy of a culturally adapted childhood traumatic grief counselling treatment with a 6-year- old South African male child who lost his mother to accidental electrocution. Based on data analysis of his case file, we discerned five themes to characterise his recovery: (i) gradual exposure to trauma memory; (ii) strengthening the child-caregiver relationship; (iii) self-managing trauma emotions; (iv) trauma narrative competencies; and (v) grief symptoms recognition and expression. Findings support the efficacy of a culturally adapted childhood traumatic grief treatment intervention with a young South African child.