Beyond the Five Stages: The 12-Stage Cycle of Grief ready for academic scrutiny.
An Invitation to Researchers, Students, and Innovators: Advancing the Science of Grief with the 12-Stage Cycle
from, Paul Roebuck
Founder, Roebuck Counselling & Coaching | Thought Leader in Modern Grief Theory
Why Grief Research Matters Now More Than Ever
Grief is universal—yet, despite decades of theory and practice, the models most widely used in therapy, education, and policy remain rooted in frameworks developed half a century ago.
The 5-stage model, while iconic, falls short of capturing the cyclical, regressive, and deeply personal nature of grief as it unfolds in real lives and real time.
As a practising psychotherapist, writer, and educator, I have spent over fifteen years immersed in the realities of loss and adaptation, working with individuals, families, and organisations.
Through this experience, I developed the 12-Stage Cycle of Grief—a contemporary, clinically grounded model that reflects the true complexity of human grief, moving beyond linear progression to chart the full cycle of emotional, cognitive, and behavioural change.
A Ready-Made, Richly Documented Research Opportunity
I am now inviting students, postgraduates, academic researchers, university module designers, and commercial R&D teams to join me in taking this model to the next level. The groundwork has been laid:
Theoretical Foundation: The full cycle and its rationale are openly published at paulroebuck.co.uk/grief-and-loss, with accessible blogs, clinical notes, and practical frameworks.
Open Research Brief: A detailed, academically oriented research brief—including context, rationale, and a set of well-grounded, non-prescriptive research questions—has been developed to support empirical investigation at undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels.
Starter Pack for Researchers: Resources include itemised constructs for operationalisation, suggested metrics for assessment, and pathways for both quantitative and qualitative inquiry.
Mentorship & Visibility: I offer ongoing dialogue and support for those interested in piloting or developing studies, and am committed to amplifying and publishing outstanding work in the field.
Who Should Engage?
Students and Postgraduates: Looking for a contemporary, real-world research project with strong relevance for dissertations, theses, or publication.
Academic Supervisors & Module Designers: Seeking evidence-based material that can refresh curriculum and stimulate cross-disciplinary inquiry (psychology, psychotherapy, social care, medical humanities, even business and HR).
Research Groups and Centres: Interested in generating original contributions or validating new theoretical frameworks.
Commercial and Non-Profit Organisations: Exploring practical applications—bereavement support, digital wellbeing, employee assistance, insurance, AI-driven mental health platforms, and more—where partnership or funding could yield both social and commercial value.
What’s on Offer?
A novel, peer-ready model: The 12-Stage Cycle, thoroughly documented, ready for operationalisation and critique.
Clear Research Brief: With transparent goals—validation, critique, and practical adaptation—not “advocacy” or mere demonstration.
Starter Questions & Flexible Design: Proposing but not prescribing avenues for survey, interview, or experimental work.
Potential for Real Impact: Opportunity to help shape the next generation of bereavement support, both in clinical settings and across society.
Publication & Partnership Pathways: Promoting research outcomes to both academic and commercial audiences.
Why Now?
Grief is no longer confined to the therapy room. It affects how organisations adapt, how communities respond to change, and how individuals cope with all forms of loss—be it bereavement, health, identity, or livelihood.
The demand for more sophisticated, human-centred models is acute. This is an open call for creative, critical, and rigorous minds to challenge, validate, and build on a model rooted in real-world practice.
Ready to Learn More or Get Involved?
Explore the model: paulroebuck.co.uk/grief-and-loss
Download the research brief and starter pack: Contact Paul
Collaborate, critique, or co-create: I welcome inquiries, partnerships, and critical dialogue.
For a detailed research brief, sample questionnaires, or to discuss collaboration and funding possibilities—reach out via my contact page.
Let’s advance the science of grief together—bridging clinical wisdom, academic rigour, and real-world impact.
Paul Roebuck | PGCEE. FETC(ADip).
Founder, Roebuck Counselling & Coaching. Thought Leader in Contemporary Grief and Loss
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