From Fear to Fun: Steps of grievance

This episode explores how children and parents move through emotional phases when facing illness, diagnosis, or treatment changes. Drawing on the Kübler‑Ross model, we look at how shock, anger, bargaining, crisis, and acceptance appear in medical conversations — and how understanding these phases helps clinicians guide families with empathy and patience.

We cover:

• Why loss of predictability triggers strong emotions in both grievance and change
• How shock and denial protect children from overwhelming reality
• Why anger is a backward‑looking phase that clinicians cannot rush
• How bargaining reflects unrealistic expectations and the search for quick fixes
• What crisis looks like when helplessness sets in
• How acceptance opens the door to genuine partnership and shared decision‑making

Key takeaway:

Grievance and change follow similar emotional steps. When we recognize these phases and meet families where they are, we create space for cooperation, clarity, and healing.

Tune in to learn how emotional understanding transforms the consultation.

You can find this content also in my blog: https://wp.me/pfxEk2-2kb

Music by Sascha Ende via ende.app

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