Grief Worksheets

What are the stages of grief?

The five stages of grief, developed by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book On Death and Dying, include how an individual typically responds to loss. Kübler-Ross developed the model based on her work with terminally ill patients (Tyrrell et al., 2023). However, it is important to note that every individual can go through these stages differently and in a non-linear fashion. The grieving process is unique for everyone and should be treated as such.

• Denial: The first stage is denial, where individuals may feel numb to the loss and deny its occurrence. It focuses on feelings of avoidance.
• Anger: In this stage, individuals will likely experience frustration, irritation, and anger at the loss. They may perceive life as unfair and prejudiced.
• Bargaining: Individuals may make promises to themselves to improve their situations. It is characterized by false hope and negotiations.
• Depression: In this stage, individuals may feel sadness constantly and may feel the need to isolate from others. Individuals can be withdrawn and find difficulty in completing most tasks. This stage can be exceptionally long-lasting and present throughout the grieving process.
• Acceptance: At the final stage, individuals will accept the loss and begin to deal with their new reality. They can start rebuilding their lives and receive enjoyment again as they work through healing.

What is a Grief Worksheet?

Everyone will experience grief at some point in their life, whether it's the loss of a job, a relationship, or a loved one. Depending on the person and the loss, it might be one of the hardest things they must deal with.

Think of a Grief Worksheet as part of a grief workbook. These types of resources are useful in coping with grief and loss. They can help clients regain control of their lives and day-to-day functioning. The grief process can be challenging, especially as it encompasses a variety of emotions and can look quite different for everyone.

This is one of the psychology tools that allow you to provide high-quality support to clients, aid them with their thoughts and feelings, work through both negative and positive memories, enhance their quality of life, and help them find healthy coping strategies during grief therapy.

Although many think of grief in traditional terms, such as losing a loved one, grief extends far beyond this definition and can apply to any feelings of loss that a client is struggling to process. This may include relationship breakups, divorces, and job redundancies. Regardless, you can work towards greater patient connections and higher clinical outcomes to process grief in a healthy way.

How do I use this Grief Worksheet?

To help you get started, we've created some simple steps to follow when implementing this worksheet.

Step 1: Download the worksheet

Even if you aren't technically inclined, these worksheets are intuitive and can be downloaded instantly. Click the link on this page, and the worksheet will open automatically on your preferred device. It's free and only takes a few seconds.

Step 2: Distribute the worksheet

Next, although self-explanatory, you must distribute the worksheet to your patients to complete. Whether you complete this during your session or assign it as homework for the client to complete in their own time is up to you. Some clients may prefer the privacy of their own space to process their feelings, especially when dealing with the distress and intense sadness that often accompanies grief.

Step 3: Answer all questions

To get the most value out of the worksheet, it is recommended that the client complete all questions and structured prompts in each stage of grief. Clients who need a break are free to take one if that helps them complete more of the worksheet. The worksheet can also be a valuable self-help resource for clients.

Step 4: Store the worksheet securely

Once the worksheet is complete, it must be stored safely. Secure the document within a HIPAA-compliant database to prioritize your patients' confidentiality and right to privacy. This ensures that the information is safeguarded and at low risk from potential security breaches that often occur in healthcare.

Who can use this printable Grief Worksheet (PDF)?

Since this is a worksheet, your patient will primarily use it. Anyone who has experienced a loss can use this worksheet including but not limited to:

• Pre-teen
• Teen
• A working adult
• An unemployed adult
• A shut-in
• Someone who lost a loved one
• Someone who got disowned by their parents
• Someone who just experienced a breakup
• Someone who lost their home/got evicted

These are just some people you might encounter as a grief counselor. This worksheet could help them confront a loss, find the drive to cope, and move forward on their grief journey.

Reference

Tyrrell, P., Harberger, S., Schoo, C., & Siddiqui, W. (2023, February 26). Kubler-Ross stages of dying and subsequent models of grief. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507885/

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