Healing Through Loss: The Power of Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy

I have received specialist grief training from the Center for Prolonged

Grief (Columbia University, New York). However, for those who wanted

to know more and why this is considered the best and most appropriate

care pathway for prolonged grief, I thought I’d go into some more

detail…

Grief is a natural, universal experience—but for some, mourning

becomes stuck, turning life upside down. Prolonged Grief Disorder

Therapy (PGDT), developed by Columbia University’s Center for

Prolonged Grief, offers a compassionate, evidence-based path forward.

Why PGDT Was Created

Not just sadness: Early grief treatments borrowed from

depression or general therapy often failed—levels of grief

remained unchanged even after antidepressant use.

Consistent clinical results:

In three NIMH-funded randomized

clinical trials (2000–2016), PGDT was nearly twice as effective as

interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) or medication. For example, a

2014 study reported 70% response rates vs ~30% for IPT.

Wide applicability: Over 640 individuals—ages 20 to 93, coping

with varied types of loss—took part in these studies, showing that

grief therapy works across settings and demographics.

The PGDT Framework:

What Actually Happens in Therapy

PGDT moves through seven healing milestones carefully woven into a

16-session journey:

1. Understanding & accepting grief – acknowledging what’s

happened.

2. Managing emotional pain – learning to hold feelings without

avoidance.

3. Visualizing a hopeful future – reconnecting with purpose.

4. Strengthening relationships – reinforcing bonds despite loss.

5. Telling your story of the death – gently revisiting memories.

6. Living with reminders – purposefully engaging with grief triggers.

7. Connecting with memories – through imagined or written

dialogue.

Together, these methods—like imaginal revisiting, situational

exposure, aspirational goal setting, and memory work—help shape

a grief pathway grounded in reason, connection, and relational

growth.

Why This Matters for Grieving People

1. Faster, deeper healing

Around 70% of participants in clinical trials experienced meaningful

improvement—dramatically higher than standard treatments.

2. Safe navigation through grief

PGDT helps individuals step carefully into pain—learning to hold

and process sorrow without becoming overwhelmed.

3. Building a balanced life

Beyond relief, therapy supports returning to purpose, connection,

and daily engagement with living.

4. Therapeutic partnership

From research to session work, PGDT emphasises warmth,

understanding, and collaboration—not clinical detachment.

Final Thought

Prolonged grief isn’t a failure—it’s a profoundly human response that

deserves expert, heartfelt support. PGDT offers a relational, science-

backed journey from lingering sorrow to reawakening hope.

Andy