ABSTRACT
"Hallucinations", "illusions", "awareness", "continuing bonds" – the phenomena have come under varied descriptions. This chapter talks about working with both the "welcome" and "unwelcome" presences in the lives of the bereaved, as well as those ambivalently present in between. New grief therapy techniques draw on experiential connections with the deceased that appear to normalize and validate sense of presence and invite contact, even if only at a symbolic or imaginary level. Clients may face a number of challenges as a result of their cherished experiences. One might assume that working with welcome presence thus offers many therapeutic opportunities and should not nowadays be marred with associations of pathology. In addition to the opposition often encountered in the outside world, many clients find that the experiences also clash with their own personal belief system. The chapter concludes with some therapeutic principles for working with presence in bereavement.
