SUMMARY

Licensed mental health professionals face unique challenges when assessing grief related to traumatic loss, such as the death of a child, spouse, or through violence. This presentation explores diagnostic tools like the Norwegian Traumatic Grief Inventory (TGI-SR+) and reviews measures such as the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), highlighting their strengths and limitations in diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). It emphasizes distinguishing grief symptoms from PTSD and tailoring evidence-based interventions, including cognitive-behavioral and trauma-focused therapies, to individual attachment styles and loss contexts for effective care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the diagnostic criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) within the ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR frameworks, as applied to traumatic grief.
• Analyze the impact of traumatic loss on physical and psychological health, including risks for comorbidities like PTSD and depression.
• Integrate strategies for managing comorbid PTSD symptoms within grief-focused therapy for individuals impacted by traumatic loss.