Year: 2003 Source: Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, v.39, no.1, (January-March 2003), p.17-22 SIEC No: 20070001

A case study is used to illustrate the meaning of a patient’s death by suicide to the therapist & the influence of such a death on professional identity, self-confidence, & self-esteem. Therapists experience their own grief as a lack of omnipotence over suicide & the fear of their colleagues’ responses. Understanding bereavement & factors influencing bereavement may help therapists facilitate & reduce negative consequences of their own grief. (19 refs.)