Memory and narrative healing processes in grief work in Africa: Reflections on promotion of re-anchoring.

This article presents a clinical account of how a university undergraduate client thrown into instant loss of meaning, social withdrawal, depression, food refusal, and suicidal ideation arising from the untimely and inexplicable death of a mother was enabled to regain psychological integration, re-anchoring, and the wish to go on with life in spite of the loss. The discussion begins with presession data regarding the central fabric of the case. This is followed by a summary report of the processes and procedures availed of by the principal therapist (the first author) to influence effective psychological adaptation and restoration in the life of the client. Implications for future management of related cases are provided, highlighting new insights and heuristic healing principles that emerged from a successful management and rehabilitation of the client. The article reveals a new dimension and methodology for successful handling of clients challenged with the incoherence of life, particularly those who react and present with chronic suicidal ideation.