quote:

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A study being published just days before the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States suggests that the 9,000 grief counsellors who descended on New York after the World Trade Center buildings collapsed did very little to prevent post-traumatic stress disorders and other psychological problems.

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Trauma counsellors bring nothing but grief, study says

First frame: Charlie Brown is lying in bed, eyes wide open, and the thought-bubble over his head says, "Why are we here?"

Second frame: Charlie Brown is still staring; thought-bubble says, "Where are we going?"

Third frame: No thought-bubble, but Charlie Brown is still staring wide-eyed out of frame.

Fourth frame: Thought-bubble says, "It is not wise to lie in bed at night asking ourselves questions we cannot answer."

But back to the topic. I'm no expert, but I agree, clock: this was one of those articles you just knew had to come along sooner or later.

It seems to me pretty obvious, with grief as with any other kind of spiritual crisis (probably including depression, addiction, phobias, etc.), that people are too different for one-size-fits-all counselling. Especially in times of stress, some people will find strength in withdrawing, and it's just an extra burden to them to be told they're reacting in a mistaken way.