ABSTRACT
Supportive group therapy arose for bereaved family members whose loved ones were murdered amidst the advent of numerous support groups emerging in the 1970s. The diverse responses of family members during bereavement will challenge any categorization. The bereavement following an unnatural death summons two concurrent distress responses: separation distress as a response to the lost relationship, and trauma distress to the manner of dying. Participants are encouraged to bring family picture albums so vivified imagery of the deceased can counterbalance the traumatic death imagery. Maintaining a time-limited and focused format is presumably less threatening to family members after this tragedy than an unstructured program that meets less frequently for many months or years. Involving other family members in a modified family therapy to reinforce resilient capacities and support may also be indicated. Educating all family members that the nonverbal capacities of resilience are crucial in early recovery will help them as well.
