Year: 2016 Source: Community Mental Health Journal. (2016). 52:551–558. DOI 10.1007/s10597-016-0006-6 SIEC No: 20160445

Over two-thirds of suicide loss survivors, those
who have lost a loved one to suicide, seek individual
therapy following their loss. However, nothing is known
about what survivors find helpful about therapy or how
therapy impacts their grief. An online survey was conducted
June 2012–March 2013 with a convenience sample
of 197 survivors primarily from the USA and Australia to
develop a better understanding of treatment seeking loss
survivors and their experiences in therapy. Questions
explored the experience of the suicide death, the therapy
received after the loss, and insights about improving therapy
for loss survivors. Participants were generally positive
about their therapy experiences. However, respondents
endorsed symptoms of PTSD, though many did not report a
formal diagnosis from a provider, suggesting a discrepancy
that could lead to inadequate treatment of symptoms. The
findings provide an understanding of treatment seeking loss
survivors, along with implications for therapists treating
this population.