Grief & Loss Counseling

When someone you love dies, you may feel that life will never be the same again.  Living with grief can be a very isolating experience. The pain of the loss may be too unbearable to talk about. Whether the loss has been recent or years ago, there is no set timeline for working through grief.  Many people feel, something may be wrong with them when they continue to feel deep sadness. Our culture has created acceptable time frames for grieving, which often creates the pressure to “cheer up and move forward.”

You may have tried everything you can think of to distract yourself. Often times this takes the form of working long hours and keeping oneself constantly busy. This attitude may alleviate suffering for the short term, but the pain will remain. For some, the pain comes in the darkness and still of night, and for others, it is simply walking through the grocery store. The all-encompassing pain of grief can feel like it may swallow you whole.

For others suffering from a loss, moving forward is not something you are ready or interesting in “doing.” The pain of your loss may be too devastating. Your world may have stopped the day your loved one died and you may now feel frozen, confused, and scared. I respect the place you are in and have worked with many individuals who have felt this way. A loved one’s death can challenge your faith and philosophy about life, which can be incredibly disorienting.

WHEN TO SEEK GRIEF COUNSELING

Perhaps friends and family have expressed concern about your well-being. Or you simply want help in finding better ways to cope. For some individuals, this means coming to therapy days after a loss, and for others, the decision is made months to years after. Grief is a universal, yet personal and unique experience. The therapeutic process I provide honors each individual’s circumstances and needs.

Putting on “the happy mask” is an exhausting and draining way to function. People who are grieving often feel responsible to hide their sadness in an effort to make others more comfortable. Or to not be the “Debbie Downer.” Therapy provides a safe environment “to remove the mask” and allow for the processing of all emotions and for healing to begin.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM INDIVIDUAL GRIEF COUNSELING

Together, we will work to understand the feelings you are experiencing. The common misconception that grief follows a 5 stage process often creates a feeling of failure or confusion. Instead, grief is messy and nonlinear. There is continual forward and backward movement that can make someone feel as if they are “going crazy.” In addition, many people don’t realize the physical aspects of grieving. Some of these include: tightness in the chest, difficulty concentrating, and overwhelming fatigue. The services I provide help to normalize this process and provide comfort and understanding.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. What helps one person, may be wrong for another. This can be confusing to families or couples when the loss is experienced by family members in different ways. I am an experienced grief and loss therapist and have worked with individuals through all types of loss situations. Whether the loss is expected or unexpected and tragic, I have witnessed growth and healing amidst hopelessness and suffering.