INTRODUCTION: The mourning due to the sudden death of a spouse has special features that should be considered in therapy process of those who undergo this experience. METHODS: Case work of grief therapy using a cognitive-behavioral protocol. The progress of the patient was assessed at the beginning and end of treatment with BDI, BAI, BHS, ISSL and GHQ. RESULTS: There was reduction in depression, anxiety and hopelessness. Regarding stress, the patient, that was in the stage of exhaustion passed to resistance. Reduction of psychological stress (95% to 50%), distrust about their own performance (90% to 40%), sleep disturbances (95% to 45%), death wish (95% to 20%) and also of psychosomatic disorders (95% to 60%). DISCUSSION: The therapeutic protocol through the focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective for that specific type of mourning.
Bereavement; cognitive therapy; behavior therapy; thanatology
