Grief Counseling
Are You Struggling With A Major Loss And Having Trouble Coping?
Some days you may find yourself barely able to get out bed. Other days, you feel a burst of energy only to quickly find yourself deflated by a reminder of the person or thing you lost and end up curling up on the couch watching hours of Netflix in a daze.
You may find yourself canceling plans in order to spend more time alone. Your eating habits might start to suffer; perhaps, some days, you’re not even eating at all. You may notice you’re disengaging from activities or events that remind you of your loved one or your past.
If the loss was unexpected, you might be experiencing feelings of shock, anger, or bitterness. Feelings of anger may then trigger feelings of guilt; your emotions feel like quicksand you can’t extricate yourself from. In order to manage your emotions, in some instances, you may feel compelled to resort to using alcohol or substances to numb the pain.
When mourning a loss, your days may be filled with intense feelings of regret or persistent thoughts about the past. It’s likely you’re yearning for things to get better, to be free of grief, and find happiness again. Yet it feels like there’s no end in sight to the pain you’re feeling.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with sadness, grief, and a deep sense of emptiness which feels never ending?
Do you find yourself having difficulty accepting or coming to terms with the reality of your loss?
Have you been withdrawing from social interactions, activities, avoiding friends or family, and feeling unbearably alone?
Do you feel stuck in the grieving process and unable to envision a future without the person or thing that was lost?
Do you wish you had the tools to cope with what you’re going through and make peace with what’s happened?
Endings and losses are the most difficult and inevitable aspect of the human journey. Whether it’s your first time encountering loss or whether you’re no stranger to this experience, navigating the grief process is rarely easy. When individuals encounter loss, they often find themselves navigating through a complex landscape of emotions, from deep sorrow and heartache to moments of disbelief and confusion.
Have any questions ? Send us a message!
Loss is a Universal Experience That Can Both Unite And Divide
Loss has the unique ability to both unite and divide individuals and communities. A collective loss can create understanding and empathy as well as foster a sense of unity and support. Reminiscing about shared memories about the lost loved one can bring people together which can ease the pain of loss.
That being said, even though a shared loss has the added benefit of having others around you to carry the burden of grief, individuals and families can still find themselves at odds with one another and ultimately feel isolated and alone. It is not uncommon for various issues and conflicts to arise. Grief can make communication difficult.
Grief can also amplify existing tensions or lead to misplaced blame for the loss or for how things were handled leading up to the loss, creating rifts within relationships. The loss of a key figure in a family or group can lead to shifts in roles and responsibilities, causing tensions or disagreements about how to fill the void. If you’re finding yourself struggling with any of these things, it may be time to seek the support of a mental health professional or grief counselor.
Grief And Loss Can Have Added Complications
When faced with an ending or transition, it’s not uncommon to experience difficulty letting go or moving forward. If you’re experiencing a death that was traumatic, this can amplify an already challenging situation. A death is considered traumatic if:
It occurred without warning
Was untimely
Involved violence
Was perceived as preventable
The loved one suffered
Grief is challenging enough but trauma will certainly add more weight to an already heavy burden.
Other potential challenges which may be present is if you had a complicated or unresolved relationship with the person who was lost. For example, if there was severe hurt or anger towards the person lost or even an estrangement before the person died. Or perhaps you learned something disturbing or upsetting about the person after their death. All of these factors can complicate the process of grieving.
Navigating the various facets of loss may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to grieve alone. With the caring support of an experienced therapist, you can move past and grow from this painful experience and create a new life after loss.
Grief Counseling Helps You Heal And Discover New Meaning After Loss
Because each person is unique and deals with loss in their own way, grief counseling will look different for everyone. In our work together, I will customize a treatment approach to best support your needs. In the first few sessions, we will discuss where you are in your grief process, what symptoms you’re experiencing and where you’ve gotten stuck.
Sometimes talking about loss can feel overwhelming which is why I have a variety of non-talking approaches which will help you process your emotions in a number of ways. This can include guided breath and movement exercises, expressive art, and other techniques to release trauma if it’s present.
Throughout our sessions, I will support and guide you through the many stages that emerge during your grief and loss experience so that you can come out the other side better able to function and thrive.
My Biggest Aim Is To Be With You Wherever You Are In Your Grief Process
I offer a place of compassion and care in helping you to work towards a new, different, and meaningful life while also honoring the memory of the person or aspects of life that have been lost. Although processing grief and loss can be one of the biggest emotional challenges we have to face, it is possible to find peace and resolution as you enter the next chapter of your life.
You May Still Have Questions About Grief And Loss Counseling
-
It's completely understandable to question whether what you're going through is a normal part of grieving or if you may benefit from grief counseling. While grief is a natural and individual process, there are certain signs that indicate the need for additional support:
difficulty in daily functioning which is interfering with your ability to attend to your responsibilities at work, home, or other relationships
feeling consumed with guilt, self-blame, bitterness, or anger
prolonged feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
wishing to die so that you can be with the loved one
abusing substances to avoid or numb the pain
If you exhibit any of the characteristics of grief listed above and your symptoms either remain or intensify over several months, then you might want to consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
-
It is very common for people to worry that talking about grief will cause them to feel overwhelmed with emotions they won’t be able to control. In therapy, I will guide you in being able to comfortably and healthily express your emotions in a way that doesn’t worsen your symptoms so that you can feel unburdened by the weight of your grief.
-
Grief counseling provides an opportunity to address any unresolved emotions or conflicts related to the loss. By exploring these complex feelings, you can find healing and closure, allowing you to gradually move forward in your grief journey.
Make Peace With Your Grief And Move Forward With Your Life
You don’t have to navigate the painful territory of loss alone. I’m here to accompany you in moving through the dark place you’re in and casting light and hope during this time of change and transition. If you are ready to find a way forward, please contact me at 210.802.2697 to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.
