GRIEF & LOSS

Grief and loss are unavoidable and shared human experiences that we will all experience. Our style of grieving is unique to each of us and usually dependent on a few factors:  such as our relationship with the deceased, our religious beliefs, and our previous experiences with death.   Some of us grief intuitively/emotionally, while others work through the loss instrumentally/cognitively.  For many people the grief experience can run its course in an uncomplicated manner; however, some of us need additional support.

 

Many symptoms of grief are normal, such as: uncontrollable worries, withdrawing socially, nightmares, reliving the death, somatic symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, etc.), feeling sad & unmotivated, depression, ​uncontrollable crying, loss of appetite, disrupted sleep, panic attacks, loss of meaning, trouble focusing, irritability, anger, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, avoiding people/places, lack of self-care, loss of identity,  and even suicidal thoughts.  If your grief is feels complicated, was the result of a trauma, or has been going on for a prolonged period, you may benefit from grief focused therapy.  Often these types of grief are connected to deaths that were sudden, violent, involved a traumatic event, or multiple deaths occurred. 

 

​If you are having difficulty functioning, feel incapacitated,  or are consumed by grief, you may benefit from the support of a therapeutic relationship. Having social support is an important factor in coping with loss. The more support and understanding we can get, the easier it is to cope. 

 

Some may feel their support system becoming weary of their grief or certain topics become too difficult to talk about or admit within your own social support system.   Yet others may not have a social support system.  Remember, there is help and you do not have to grieve alone and we are honored to help you through what may be the most difficult time of your life.

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