Digital Commons at St. Mary's University Theses & Dissertations University Archives Fall 2012 An exploration of therapists' personal experience of loss and grief and impact on therapeutic approach Moonyeen O'Phelan Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.stmarytx.edu/dissertations Part of the Counseling Commons, and the Counseling Psychology Commons Recommended Citation O'Phelan, Moonyeen, "An exploration of therapists' personal experience of loss and grief and impact on therapeutic approach" (2012). Theses & Dissertations. 5. https://commons.stmarytx.edu/dissertations/5 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the University Archives at Digital Commons at St. Mary's University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons at St. Mary's University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN EXPLORATION OF THERAPISTS’ PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF LOSS AND GRIEF AND IMPACT ON THERAPEUTIC APPROACH APPROVED: H. Ray Wooten, Ph.D. Dissertation Advisor Laura A. Bryan, Ph.D. Randall R. Lyle, Ph.D. Henry Flores, Ph.D. Dean of Graduate School Date: __________________________________ Date: AN EXPLORATION OF THERAPISTS’ PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF LOSS AND GRIEF AND IMPACT ON THERAPEUTIC APPROACH A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of St. Mary’s University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Marriage and Family Therapy Moonyeen P. O’Phelan, M.A., R.N. San Antonio, Texas November 2012 Abstract AN EXPLORATION OF THERAPISTS’ PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF LOSS AND GRIEF AND IMPACT ON THERAPEUTIC APPROACH Moonyeen P. O’Phelan St. Mary’s University, 2012 Dissertation Advisor: H. Ray Wooten, Ph.D. Themes of loss and grief resonate through life. That we sustain trauma and anguish and move through it at all becomes part of our life story, worthy of being acknowledged. Most often, it appears there is no clear-cut end or resolution to our loss. Moreover, there are too few trained individuals who are willing to “go the distance” in processing these weighty matters. The purpose of this study was to explore therapists’ personal experiences of loss and grief and how these events transformed their therapeutic approach in clinical practice. Using heuristic phenomenological methodology, qualitative research was conducted in which therapists were asked to recount their lived experiences of loss and describe the essence of these phenomena. Results indicated keen interest among therapists to participate, demonstrating appreciable need for this valuable opportunity to tell one’s story of loss and ensuing resilience. Several noteworthy themes emerged from the data uniting participants’ lived experiences with evolving personal meaningfulness. Insights gained through this study expanded therapists’ existing repertoire of knowledge, as well as provided diverse and accessible tools necessary to enhance academic acumen in the field of loss and grief therapy. DEDICATION To my mother Kathleen, father Harvey, brother Sean, and grandmother Caroline – all of whom reside on the other side of the liminal space, and who taught me about love and loss and to the triumvirate who resides within my heart and whom I cherish beyond measure: Christopher, Chloé, and my dearest, Wayne. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am blessed to have many creative, bright, wise, and loving people in my life who lit the way through my doctoral work, standing in the liminal space, encouraging me when the road was dark and rocky, and now cheering for me as I take flight. Heartfelt gratitude beyond words to my dissertation committee, the academic triumvirate in my life: Dr. Ray Wooten, whose wise, discerning vision of my work kept me inspired and focused on my dissertation objectives; Dr. Randy Lyle, whose quiet, enduring faith in me has been a constant these past five years; Dr. Laura Bryan, who gently offered to be a part of it all, and whose spark and razor-sharp editing talent nurtured my joy of writing. It has been my privilege to work with each of you. In memory of Dr. Fred Duhl, now deceased, who would join me in saying, “It’s all about loss,” and to his sprightly wife, Verne Lee, whose positive outlook never wanes. Many thanks to Mary Frey, who encouraged me early on to “Keep my head in the game.” Thanks also to Dr. Kelley Frost, whom I can call anytime and suggest a “Coffee with Kelley” session for mutual support; and to Elisa Wooten, whose thoughtful, abiding spirit energized my commitment to finish strong. I owe a genuine debt of gratitude to Jerry Kegler, who would point me to true North, (somewhere near the constellation Draco), when my sites were foggy and my focus blurred, and to his wife, Anne Pierce, whose excellent book suggestions were very much a part of this dissertation. Sincere thanks to Andrew Morrison, who buttressed my Celtic spirit throughout this work with discourse, song, and poetry; and to Dr. Dan v Ratliff, who fosters my theatrical muse. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Glenn Sammis, whose belief in me brought me through the liminal space more than once; and to Dr. Adrian Warren, whose viewpoints during our regular “Feet to the Fire” meetings kept the conceptual momentum flowing, and thanks to Jack Williamson for his most helpful and insightful commentary on change. There are those who may appear to be in the wings, and yet who are essential in keeping the writer’s spirit afloat: Laura Bagley from the Graduate School, Francis Farrell and Leticia Gutierrez from Counseling and Human Services/Family Life Center, Joe Lucio, evening supervisor at Blume Library who cheerfully renewed my books, and Barbara Stead, whose rapid turnaround of interviews from spoken to written words kept this research spiraling forward – special thanks to each of you for your many kindnesses to me along the way. I am beyond blessed to have two triumvirates in my life. In addition to the scholarly triad on my committee, the three creative individuals who compose my family deserve special note. Heartfelt thanks to Christopher and Chloé, whose imaginative spirits, fire, and energy inspire me to move beyond what I thought I could do -- and to my dear Wayne, extraordinary editor, brilliant intellect, and love of my life. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ....................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER I: The Problem and Justification of the Study ............................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................. 5 Purpose ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Research Questions ...................................................................................................................... 6 Rationale ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Links to Literature........................................................................................................................ 8 Justification .................................................................................................................................. 9 Limitations ................................................................................................................................... 9 Definitions ................................................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER II: Literature Review.................................................................................................. 14 Loss, Spirals, and a Transition Map ........................................................................................... 14 Paradoxes of Life and Death, Beginnings and Endings ............................................................. 17 Categories of Loss...................................................................................................................... 21 Finite Loss .................................................................................................................................. 22 Ambiguous Loss ........................................................................................................................ 31 Nonfinite Loss ............................................................................................................................ 41 Disenfranchised Grief ................................................................................................................ 50 Transformation and Meaningfulness ......................................................................................... 54 The Liminal Space ....................................................................................................................