Even though grief and grieving are a natural aspect of life, it can be overwhelming physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Robert A. Neimeyer, Ph.D. has dedicated his life to the field of thanatology through his extensive research on the topics of death, grief, loss, and suicide intervention.

Dr. Neimeyer is a professor and director of psychotherapy research in the Department of Psychology at the University of Memphis, where he also maintains an active clinical practice.  Additionally, he is the editor of two respected international journals, Death Studies and the Journal of Constructivist Psychology. He has published 24 books and over 300 articles and book chapters.  The Art of Longing, a book of contemporary poetry is his latest creative endeavor.

This interview is the first segment in a two part interview.  In this introduction, Dr. Neimeyer portrays how grief rocks the foundation of our world and how through a newer model of grief therapy called “Meaning Reconstruction”, we can explore and integrate our loss into our life.  Meaning Reconstruction is a process of healing grief through the telling and re-telling of our life stories; seeking new meanings to re-affirm and re-build our life in a world without our loved one.  Dr. Neimeyer is advancing this model of grief in his research, counseling practice and life’s work.

In the second segment of the interview Dr. Neimeyer explains a deeper understanding of meaning reconstruction grief theory and shares more of his personal and professional insights.  The second segment concludes with a reading of  his poem entitled,  The Art of Longing.

Thank you Dr. Neimeyer for your untiring dedication to the field of thanatology……. a wonderful example of creating healthy conversations about death and dying to inspire life and living!

Tags: Healing Grief, Thanatology