Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Managing Prolonged Grief Disorder Among Emerging Adults

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely regarded as the gold standard for promoting healthier emotional coping mechanisms. While grief is a natural response to loss, for some individuals this process becomes prolonged and impairing—resulting in Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). This paper reviews the impact of PGD on emerging adulthood, focusing on how it can hinder emotional development during this critical stage. Additionally, this paper serves as a clinical synthesis that evaluates the effectiveness of CBT in treating individuals experiencing PGD. By reviewing current research and clinical applications, the paper highlights CBT’s role in helping individuals process grief, restructure maladaptive cognitions, and transition from prolonged distress to integrated grief, where loss is accepted as part of one’s life while maintaining emotional stability.