Kenneth J. Doka Ph.D.

About

Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus of counseling at the College of New Rochelle, a senior vice-president for grief programs to the Hospice Foundation of America, and the author of Grief is a Journey and When We Die.

Recent Posts

Complicated Grief Can Be Complicated

The newest version of the DSM acknowledges that grief reactions can be complicated and offers five different diagnoses that can be applied to persons dealing with loss.

Adults with Autism Grieve, Too

They may behave differently, but they feel the loss just as much.

The Shock of Learning New Information After a Death

After a death, learning negative information about the deceased can complicate our grief.

The Stuff of Grief: Dealing with the Deceased's Possessions

After the death of a loved one, what should you do with the possessions of the deceased? There are really no easy answers—but there are very individual ones.

Shouldering the Hard Work of Grief

Can we have enjoyment in the midst of our grief? We not only can—it is essential that we do.

Am I Grieving?

Someone may wonder why they're not experiencing sadness after a loss. But grief is far more than just sadness, and may manifest in countless different ways.

Should We Celebrate Funerals?

The push to see funerals only as "celebrations of life" can disenfranchise grief.

The Choice We Make About Grief

Grief can devastate you unexpectedly. But you retain the choice to live a renewed life over time.

"Not the Way I Wanted It to Be"

Even in the midst of a pandemic, we can find ways to honor our loved one, our loss, and our grief.

Continuing Bonds, Not Chains of Pain

Journeying with grief does not mean we have to live a life of unremitting pain.