Persons grieving for a loved one want to be listened to, they want to be accepted and understood in their grief. Yet in modern life they often fail to receive such appreciation or for only a limited time. The recurring memories and the continual need to talk about the loved one and time spent together – to speak expressly about one´s own loss – do not always garner the necessary acceptance and attention. The bereaved may then feel the need to overcome their grief as quickly as possible, to become "normal" again.The goal of grief counseling is to help the person gain an understanding of their own grief as a bridge to the deceased loved one. This volume promotes a basic person-oriented approach with its three cornerstones of appreciation, empathy and authenticity. A number of case studies taken from grief-counseling practice guarantee the necessary practical relevance.

Norbert Mucksch, Diplom-Theologe, Diplom-Sozialarbeiter, Pastoralpsychologe (DGfP), ist Fachbereichsleiter »Sterbe- und Trauerbegleitung« an der Kolping-Bildungsstätte Coesfeld/Heimvolkshochschule und Lehrbeauftragter an der Katholischen Hochschule NRW, Abt. Münster. Darüber hinaus ist er tätig als Berater, Fortbildner, Moderator und als Supervisor (DGSv).