Understanding Prolonged Grief: What It Is and the Most Effective Therapies

What Is Prolonged Grief?

Losing someone you care about is always tough, but for most people, feelings of intense sadness gradually ease with time and support. For some, however, these emotions don’t seem to fade, even a year or more after their loss. This is called prolonged grief disorder (PGD).

PGD isn’t just “normal grief” that’s gone on for longer. It’s a recognised mental health condition that involves persistent, intense longing or preoccupation with the person who died, feelings of emptiness, and a sense that life has lost its meaning (Killikelly et al., 2025; Lichtenthal et al., 2021). These symptoms last at least six to twelve months (depending on cultural or religious context) and make it hard to function in daily life. PGD is now included in major diagnostic manuals because it’s different from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

How Is Prolonged Grief Treated?

The good news is that there are effective ways to help. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), especially when tailored to grief, is the gold standard. Several research studies and meta-analyses have found that CBT and its newer forms—like Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy (PGDT) and Prolonged Grief-specific CBT (PG-CBT)—work best for most people (Killikelly et al., 2025; Kokou‐Kpolou & Kengne‐Ouafo, 2024; Rosner et al., 2014; Bryant et al., 2019; Hao et al., 2024).

These therapies help by:

• Gently facing painful memories and learning to manage emotions
• Rebuilding meaning and connection in life
• Addressing unhelpful thoughts or beliefs about the loss

PGDT is a structured form of CBT specifically developed for prolonged grief. Studies show it’s more effective than traditional support or medication alone (Lichtenthal et al., 2021; O’Connor et al., 2024).

Other types of therapy (like family therapy or psychodynamic therapy) have shown some benefits, but don’t work as reliably as CBT. Medication on its own isn’t usually enough (Mancini et al., 2012; Killikelly et al., 2025).

In Summary

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief that never seems to ease, it might be more than just a normal reaction to loss. Treatment—especially CBT designed for prolonged grief—can make a real difference and help people begin to heal.