Sudden loss and indicators of resilience: A narrative therapy case study.

Abstract

Objectives: This case study explores how narrative therapy facilitates personalized meaning-making and emotional healing for Ann, a 57-year-old Vietnamese widow, following her loved one’s sudden death.

Methods: Grounded in Ann’s Buddhist beliefs and collectivist background, the therapy provided a safe space for her to express complex emotions like guilt, sadness, and anger. Utilizing a three-stage trauma recovery model—externalization, deconstruction, and exceptional questions—helped her explore new meanings, re-author her story, and build resilience and purpose within her unique personal and cultural context.

Results: Throughout the therapeutic process, the client gained awareness of her loss and reconstructed new meanings within her personal story. She recognized both the possibilities and limitations of her experiences. By the final session, she was able to confidently articulate her gratitude, commit to self-care, and actively support her community, demonstrating increased resilience and self-efficacy.

Conclusions: This case illustrates how a personalized narrative approach facilitates growth by helping the client acknowledge her loss, reframe her story, and discover her voice. It emphasizes the importance of honouring individual stories and cultural contexts, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and a commitment to self-care and community, supporting ongoing healing and empowerment.