Therapy-Assisted Growth after Parental Suicide: From a Personal and Professional Perspective

Abstract

This article depicts the experiences of two young girls and their coping and growing strategies following the suicide of their father. Carolyn and Kristin were five and nine years old respectively at the time of their dad's death. After three years of intensive counseling they and their therapist, wrote this article concerning ways children and adolescents can adjust to a parental suicide. Hallmarks of meaningful growth and healing include embracing all confused feelings, i.e., guilt, anger, abandonment, embarrassment, sadness, fear of losing the surviving parent, and changes. The underlying theme of the adjustment is found in the therapist's belief that the girls can and will make it through the traumatic event, as they endeavor to reaffirm their own lives. Hope is found in dealing with their father's suicide openly and honestly.