ABSTRACT
In death-related grief work, the exploration and use of personally relevant symbols can assist clients in meaning making and loss adaptation, especially when they are troubled by unfinished business with the deceased. Adele sought counseling to address a surge of painful emotions linked to the tragic death of her son Nathan eight years earlier. Adele still wept as she described her pending move as a reminder of Nathan's loss and her shattered dreams. She described the pain in her heart and being unable to say goodbye, to no longer see Nathan's face or hold his hand-the agony of a mother torn from her son. Adele's experience of grief and her self-described bizarre behaviors understandably became more acute and distressing during the major life transition of moving out of her house. A strong therapeutic alliance and mutual respect are foundational in grief work when symbolic intervention is considered.
