Purpose 🎯
Explore changes in identity and future expectations while supporting gradual re-engagement.
Let’s Talk About It 🗣️
Create three sections:
Life Before
- What felt meaningful?
- What roles, routines, relationships, or expectations were important?
Life Now
- What has changed?
- What feels difficult, unfamiliar, or uncertain?
- What supports are available?
Life Ahead
- What can be carried forward?
- What may need to change?
- What is one realistic step toward a meaningful future?
If the Conversation Gets Stuck 💡
Normalize that imagining life ahead can feel painful, disloyal, or overwhelming. Start with a small next step rather than a full future vision.
Telehealth / Whiteboard Version 💻
Use a three-column shared document or timeline. The client can add brief words, symbols, values, routines, or goals in each section.
Why This Works 🌱
This activity helps clients acknowledge how life has changed while identifying continuity, values, and realistic steps toward re-engagement.
Clinical Pearl 🧠
Avoid framing the future as “moving on.” Emphasize adapting to life with grief while maintaining meaningful connection to what was lost.
Documentation Language 📝
Client explored changes in identity, roles, routines, relationships, and future expectations before and after the loss. Therapist supported identification of continuity, values, and a realistic step toward meaningful re-engagement.
Clinical Focus: Identity Adjustment, Future Orientation, Values-Based Re-Engagement