What Do Professionals Think of Gracie's Way? | A Professional Review of A Resource | by Emma Yoxall, Professional Ambassador

  

I’ve recently had the opportunity to the review the Gracie’s Way resource: A Professional’s Guide to The PBAP (which you can read about: https://www.graciesway.co.uk/p/a-professionals-guide-to-pbap.html)...

Firstly, I reviewed the Pet Bereavement Action Plan (PBAP – which you can read about: https://www.graciesway.co.uk/p/pbap.html) itself, so I was familiar with the resources being referred to. It seemed the logical place to start. The PBAP guides a bereaved pet owner through a framework to explore and understand how losing their pet impacts them emotionally, practically and the effect it has on their thoughts. 

Generally, I found A Professional's Guide to PBAP to be a highly practical resource for anyone working in this space.

The guide provides a step-by-step framework for professionals to help bereaved clients work through the PBAP at their own pace. It breaks the process down into parts and explains succinctly that the focus must remain on the client and what they need with no requirement to complete it in order or in full if they do not wish to.  That said, the guide offers tips for clients who are struggling to complete the action plan and how to explain its usefulness to them and also how to address reactions they may have when working through certain sections. 

A few specific elements of the guide really stood out to me:

• Dealing with crises and reluctance: The guide doesn’t assume every session will go smoothly. The inclusion of specific strategies for managing mental health crises and navigating client reluctance or refusal is incredibly realistic and helpful for day-to-day practice.

• A Focus on Professional Wellbeing: This is a vital section of the guide. As a pet loss therapist, the risk of compassion fatigue is high. The guide addresses your own wellbeing, offering tips on boundary-setting and self-care.

• It’s structured yet flexible: The framework allows the process to be entirely person-centred. It provides the structure for clients to work through their loss, without forcing them into a rigid timeline.

Overall, A Professional's Guide to the PBAP is a well-constructed resource. It treats pet grief with the validation it deserves, while offering professionals with the practical tools needed to support their clients in making the most of the Pet Bereavement Action Plan. 

To request a free copy of this resource, please email: gracieswayuk@outlook.com