Dual Processing Theory

Grief is an inevitable human experience, experienced by individuals across all cultures. Grief, is not limited to, losses of death, but can originate through myriad of other losses like loss of financial stability, loss of relationship, addictions, colonisation, developmental loses to name a few which challenges the equilibrium of the human psyche. In counselling practice, counsellors rely on the conceptualised models of grief theories to assist clients. This essay provides a brief critical evaluation of two grief counselling models; meaning reconstruction theory and dual processing model, whilst encapsulating both model’s benefits, limitations and its examples of their application in practice. Furthermore it will aim to provide an analytical

To eventuate sense making, benefit finding and identity change counsellors employ various strategies like narrative retelling, therapeutic writing and metaphor and evocative visualization. Narrative retelling engages in creating a conducive environment where the client is able to readdress the loss of empathy they may have endured in response to their loss (Neimeyer, Burke, Mackay & Stringer, 2010). Therapeutic writing involves writing personal journals or letters addressed to the deceased, aiding in the cathartic releases of emotions and visualizations enable grieves to foster meaning both in their conscious and unconscious

Both models are complex, dynamic and multidimensional which is applicable to individuals across varied cultural, religious and social constructs thus rendering it universally applicable. The key difference one can argue when conceptualising both models is the change in focus posited, where meaning reconstruction theory gravitates towards assisting the stability of human psyche through emotional, ritualistic and spiritual interventions, dual processing model gravitates towards instilling practical techniques and strategies to ensure restoration oriented tasks are effected.

The above essay presented the key concepts of two grief counselling models; meaning reconstruction theory and dual process models. It also presented the benefits, limitations and examples of practical application of these models in counselling practice. Through analysis it aimed to compare and contrast the ideologies of these models. This essay aimed to present a view that as grief occupies a central tenet of counselling, understanding grief counselling models is critical in developing skills to tailor interventions which matches client