title: A story of transformation following catastrophic loss.
abstract: The emotional impact following catastrophic loss is a highly individualized and personal experience. Such an experience may be life transforming and can significantly influence the course of one's emotional recovery. Through the gathering of story, a clearer understanding of the transformational experience may lead to more appropriate mental health support for those most in need. The purposes of this article are to share the author's 4-year autobiographical story following catastrophic loss from a house explosion and fire, to discuss the transpersonal perspective on transformation, and to offer the use of story for practice and research applications for persons experiencing catastrophic loss.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA. mrateau@kent.edu
authors.forename: Margaret R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rateau
mesh_terms: D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology; D004190:Disasters; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005390:Fires; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008603:Mental Health