Introducing Spring PGD: guided digital therapy for prolonged grief disorder (PGD)

Posted February 15th 2025

Dr Catrin Lewis introduces Spring PGD, a new guided digital therapy designed specifically for prolonged grief disorder (PGD).

Losing a loved one is one of the most upsetting and challenging experiences we go through in life. While most people gradually find their way through grief, around 10% develop prolonged grief disorder (PGD).

PGD is characterised by an intense and persistent longing for the person who died, accompanied by significant emotional pain that lasts for six months or more.

This persistent grief can severely impact daily life, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities.

It is also linked to issues such as disrupted sleep, physical health problems, and the development of other mental health conditions.

Addressing PGD

PGD is increasingly recognised as a significant public health concern. Research shows that a specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in treating PGD.

However, access to this therapy is limited by the need for multiple in-person sessions with a specially trained therapist, which can be both costly and logistically challenging.

This limitation restricts the availability of this treatment for many individuals who need it.

Introducing Spring PGD

To address these challenges, we at the National Centre for Mental Health are excited to introduce Spring PGD, a new guided digital therapy designed specifically for PGD.

Based on principles of CBT, Spring PGD will be accessible through an app and a website and will be delivered with regular guidance from a psychological therapist.

This approach aims to offer a cost-effective and widely accessible treatment option that can be used conveniently from home.

Spring PGD builds on our experience in creating digital interventions for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We have worked closely with individuals who have lived experience of PGD and experts in the field to develop and refine this new intervention.

Eight online steps

Spring PGD is an interactive programme comprised of eight online steps that are worked through over an 8-week period, with approximately three to four hours of guidance from a therapist either in person or remotely.

It focuses on several key areas:

• Step 1: Understanding PGD
  This introduction to PGD features four characters, each sharing their unique experiences of PGD related to different types of bereavement.

• Step 2: Looking after yourself
  Participants learn about self-care with a focus on mindfulness, grounding techniques, and relaxation exercises.

• Step 3: The story of your loss
  This step focuses on gradually working through and reprocessing memories of the loss.

• Step 4: Remembering the person you lost
  Participants are guided through techniques to actively engage with positive memories of their loved one.

• Step 5: Re-engaging with life
  This step helps participants identify their values and gradually engage in pleasurable or meaningful activities.

• Step 6: Thoughts and feelings
  Cognitive techniques are introduced to help participants challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts.

• Step 7: Honouring the loss
  This step helps participants identify unhelpful ways of honouring their loved one and explore meaningful alternatives, such as creating a memory jar or a memorial.

• Step 8: The future
  This final step consolidates lessons learned throughout the programme and provides strategies for managing grief in the future.

Get involved

Spring PGD is currently being tested with a small group of people experiencing PGD to gather feedback and make improvements.

Following this, we will conduct a larger trial to evaluate whether Spring PGD is more effective than being on a waiting list.

If you have experienced mental health problems after the death of a loved one and are interested in hearing more about Spring PGD or joining our public involvement group, please contact ncmh-trials@cardiff.ac.uk.

Your involvement could help improve support and treatment options for those dealing with PGD.