Relational-Cultural Theory as a Therapeutic Approach to Perinatal Loss

Abstract: Despite the likelihood of mental health therapists working with perinatal loss clients, there has yet to be a therapeutic approach directly applied to this population. As an ambiguous and disenfranchised loss, cultural responses to perinatal grief incur condemned isolation for perinatal loss parents. To decrease reenactment of cultural disconnections within the therapeutic process, the authors propose utilizing Relational-Cultural Theory as a therapeutic approach addressing both grief expressions and trauma symptomology resulting from perinatal loss. The model developed posits that through empowerment and self-empathy, clients can change relational images and increase relational resilience. Clinical implications and applications are discussed.