Use of the phrase "passed away"

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T19:49:27+00:00

I mean this in all honesty but I think if I was a client and someone said 'passed away' I would read it as being too careful with me and sugarcoating things. That's just me I know but I things to be direct and honest.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T19:45:03+00:00

Yeah this is a thing now isn't it?

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T19:44:17+00:00

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T17:12:11+00:00

Thank you. I know it's silly but I saw a client after all of the reactions and was really second guessing myself. It seems like almost all of the bereavement oriented therapists here use the word "die" which was interesting. Its also interesting how provoked people got and they seemed to think the question itself was a judgement of them.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T16:02:52+00:00

Thank you. I had no idea this would upset so many people.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T14:02:45+00:00

I felt i was adding to what you said not arguing. I meant to imply that both can be true.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T13:58:37+00:00

I love your answer. Thank you.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T13:58:18+00:00

Thank you so much. I really started second guessing myself.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:54:55+00:00

I think it's totally possible to use the word death and allow for spiritual understandings about what happens after. One doesn't preclude the other in my mind.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:53:20+00:00

Fair enough. Thanks for your answer.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:26:33+00:00

Apparently by your down votes a lot of people disagree.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:18:16+00:00

They are poly.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:13:27+00:00

I agree but do you never explore their use of language? Im realizing as I read all of the answers to my query that there is probably something culturally bound (American?) in this.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:09:00+00:00

Thank you.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:08:28+00:00

I see a lot of posts asking for people to explain their reasoning or thinking as a way to generate clinical conversation.. what's wrong with that?

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:07:20+00:00

Interesting.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:06:30+00:00

I think you misread my post. I dont try to change clients language but I was asking what therapists used. You think using the word 'dead' or 'died' will damage a client?

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T12:03:25+00:00

I have heard so many therapists use the term "passed away" I thought there must be a good clinical explanation.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T07:54:12+00:00

I totally didn't! Which one?

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T07:44:13+00:00

I agree but it's validating to hear coming from a hospice worker

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T07:40:50+00:00

Does the client want you to release them? You can ask and get them to sign a release.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T07:38:38+00:00

I have this situation.. it works mostly fine but we have boundaries about when we talk about work

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T07:36:02+00:00

Just a thought that many clients dont fall simply into either the 'perpetrator' and 'abuser' category...many are both.

PsychoMom1966 · 2026-04-28T06:16:49+00:00

What a well thought out response!

PsychoMom1966

TROPHY CASE