Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Five Stage Theory

Recent research studies have concluded that theoretical models of bereavement should serve the function of increasing understanding on grief and grieving, given the physical and mental health complexities of such a severe life event (Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Boerner, K, 2017). Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, author of On Death and Dying (1969), composed groundbreaking work in the healthcare arena at the time of her publication (Maxfield-Decarlo, 2017). Kubler-Ross proposed a five-stage theory on the death and dying process, which included stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (Kessler, 2016). Her model allowed deep clinical insights along with helping therapists set reasonable treatment goals for clients experiencing grief (Kessler, 2016). Her theory stages can provide a practical framework to help identify what clients may need in their journey toward healing (Kessler, 2016). …show more content…
The denial stage does not mean that the person is in denial of the death but instead could mean that the death is too traumatizing to accept (Kessler, 2016). A client may feel like the world is meaningless and that living life makes little sense in this stage (Kessler, 2016). When in the anger stage of grief, a client may express pain, fear or anger (Kessler, 2016). It is important in this stage to find a safe space for the client to express his or her anger without hurting themselves or others (Kessler, 2016). Research studies have found that anger serves an important purpose in grief to which it allows temporary structure to the feeling of nothingness that is connected to the loss (Kessler,