The Traumatic Loss Workbook: Powerful Skills for Navigating the Grief Caused by a Sudden or Unexpected Death

A powerful, compassionate guide to finding solace when you’ve lost someone unexpectedly.

The unexpected death of a loved one is a traumatic, life-altering experience. If you’ve experienced a sudden loss, your life becomes instantly unrecognizable. In addition to the overwhelming shock, pain, sadness, and grief, you may now feel unsafe in the world, out of control, or unable to carry out basic daily tasks. Most people do not understand what it is like to have a loved one die suddenly or unexpectedly, so it can be challenging to get the support you need. But you are not alone. This gentle workbook can help guide you toward a place of healing and solace.

The Traumatic Loss Workbook offers an integrative approach drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotional regulation skills, mindfulness techniques, and narrative therapy to support you through the grief process, so you can move forward after the sudden or unexpected death of a loved one. You’ll also discover strategies for dealing with sudden ＂grief attacks,＂ and learn how to navigate common emotional triggers such as holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries. Finally, you’ll discover skills to help you cope with the deeply emotional and traumatic aspects of your grief--now and in the future.

Death is a natural part of life, but we never expect someone we love to die suddenly or unexpectedly. This workbook will give you the tools you need to process, cope, and move toward healing while making space for your grief, so that you can create a meaningful life within the context of your loss.

Jennifer R. Levin, PhD, LMFT, specializes in traumatic grief, sudden and unexpected death and trauma, and post-traumatic growth. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a recognized fellow in Thanatology. She provides crisis support after a sudden death and engages businesses, schools, and communities in proactive planning for unexpected death to minimize the trauma and grief that occurs when unprepared. Levin is also the host of the podcast, Untethered: Healing the Pain from a Sudden Death.

Foreword writer Edward K. Rynearson, MD, is a clinical psychiatrist and researcher from Seattle, WA, where he served as a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington and his research has focused on the effects of violent death on family members. He has given national and international trainings on the management of the clinical effects of violent death establishing an information network for providers, teachers, and researchers of traumatic grief after violent death.