Shear's Complicated Grief Treatment — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardBereavementShear's Complicated Grief TreatmentSCE Palliative Medicine

A bereaved father whose adult son died from cancer 18 months ago develops complicated grief. His therapist uses Shear’s Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT). What are the core therapeutic elements?

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Correct answer: B — Revisiting the story of the death (exposure‑based)

Explanation lettering: E = shown as B · D = shown as C · C = shown as D · B = shown as E

Shear’s CGT is a manualized, evidence‑based psychotherapy that combines exposure‑based techniques (such as repeatedly recounting the story of the death and in vivo exposure), behavioural activation to promote engagement in positive activities and future planning, interventions to address grief‑related avoidance, and goal‑setting to help adaptation to life without the deceased. These constitute the core therapeutic elements listed in Option E. Hypnotherapy (A) is not part of CGT. Option B incorrectly suggests a medication‑only approach—while antidepressants may be adjunctive, psychotherapy is central. Option C’s exclusive focus on pre‑death relationship omits critical processing of the death event. Option D is directly contrary to the exposure‑based nature of CGT.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/cancer/palliative-care

Shear's Complicated Grief Treatment — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

A bereaved father whose adult son died from cancer 18 months ago develops complicated grief. His therapist uses Shear’s Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT). What are the core therapeutic elements?

A bereaved father whose adult son died from cancer 18 months ago develops complicated grief. His therapist uses Shear’s Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT). What are the core therapeutic elements?