Conceptualizing Traumatic Loss During and After COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several social modifications have been made in the United States to reduce the infection rate that resulted in changes to the workforce, education system, and general community interactions. This evolving new normal has caused distress in many individuals. The purpose of this article was to conceptualize these changes from a loss perspective and determine if any traumatic symptomology might emerge from the loss, thus producing traumatic loss due to the changing normal. Clinical recommendations are given to mental health professionals when working with individuals who report distress due to the changing normal.