Application of Emotion-Focused Therapy in Bereavement: A Case Study/Application de la Therapie Concentree Sur L'emotion Dans Le Deuil: Etude D'un Cas (Report‪)‬

1. INTRODUCTION Facing the losing a spouse at a young or middle age, it is one of the most difficult human experiences. Spousal relationship is a very intimate relationship. The death of spouse certainly gives rise to suffering of the survivor. According to the Holmes and Rahe's (1967) Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), death of spouse ranks the highest. Everyone expresses sadness and loss in different ways. There are some common characteristics, however, that occur when one is experiencing great loss. Sadness, crying, sorrow, anxiety, loneliness, helplessness, fatigue, guilt, shock, and anger are common emotions when dealing with death. These strong emotional and physical symptoms of grief may not occur for all people who experience a loss. These symptoms may last as short as a week after the death or may last months or years. What types of interventions are most effective in helping people deal with grief? This paper presents the work of the author using the Emotion-focused with the middle age widow in the practice in Shanghai.