TALKWORKS service users share their stories in prolonged grief film

TALKWORKS service users and clinicians discuss what prolonged grief disorder therapy looks like and how it can help someone who is grieving in their new film the Devon Partnership NHS Trust YouTube channel.

The video captures real life stories from two TALKWORKS service users who share their experiences of navigating grief and the difference that therapy has made to their lives. Both men had suffered a bereavement more than six months before coming to TALKWORKS, and the grief that followed this had become overwhelming.

One man describes how, as a result of the grief that he was experiencing, he ‘wasn’t able to engage’ with life around him. The other man describes how living with grief led him to feelings of isolation that impacted him both physically and emotionally.

The treatment that the men received from TALKWORKS was prolonged grief disorder therapy, used to help people adjust to a loss after grief has become stuck and persisted over a long period of time. It is an evidence-based treatment that targets the symptoms of grief. It is based on the seven healing milestones, focusing specifically on the loss and managing the emotions associated with grief. The aims of therapy are to help individuals who have suffered a loss to reconnect with their life and those around them.

The therapy is typically 16 sessions long, although people who receive this form of treatment may not require all 16 sessions. It is available face-to-face at one of TALKWORKS’ bases or online via video call for adults, age 18+, living in Devon (excluding Plymouth).

If you are concerned that, following the loss of a loved one more than six months ago, your grief continues to impact on you, TALKWORKS will be able to discuss the option of Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy (PGDT) with you. We know that reaching out can be hard, but our therapists are here to listen to you and will work with you to help you to feel better. You can call 0300 555 3344 to speak to a member of the team about this further, or you can self-refer to our service through the TALKWORKS online self-referral form.