Grief Counseling and Therapy

Grief comes in many shapes and sizes, can impact someone at any phase of life, and looks different from one individual to another. It is a complex feeling and process that makes it impossible to predict how one will react. There is no “normal” when it comes to grief, and there is no real timeline. Many people find comfort in talking about their unique experiences with a trained counselor for grief therapy, who can help them honor the experiences of their past and carry their experiences with them in a positive way in their future.

What is Grief Counseling?

Grief therapy sessions will help you understand the evolution of grief and loss and bring you closer to understanding your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.  Grief counseling can help you sort through all of the changes and challenges that come with grief and help you in the process of healing.

Grief and trauma therapy may include the following benefits:

• Adapting to loss and life afterward
• Identifying trauma and how to address the impact
• Creating a safe space to talk about your loved one and the loss with no holds barred
• Expressing the wide range of emotions you may be experiencing
• Minimize feelings of anger, guilt, and other negative emotions
• Coping with holidays, anniversaries, and other events that bring back intense emotions

Signs You Should Seek Grief Counseling

Given the uniqueness of grief, it is often difficult to navigate on your own, and often times it feels as if those around you do not understand.  Grief therapy may be beneficial if any of the following apply to you.

1. You are experiencing symptoms of distress

Distress due to grief manifests in several ways. For example, you might stop taking care of your hygiene or be fatigued most of the time. Disorganized speech, the inability to make eye contact, and confusion are more signs of distress that should not go unnoticed. If some of these physical indicators ring true for you, it’s very important to take them seriously and reach out for the support you need.

2. You struggle with everyday tasks

Perhaps you used to make your bed every morning without fail. But lately, you’ve been cutting corners, letting dishes and laundry pile up, and forgetting to pay your bills. Losing control of your everyday routine is something that can manifest slowly; you might wake up one morning and look around you, wondering who has made such a mess of your place.

If that’s out of character, you may have lost the motivation to do everyday tasks after an experience with grief. It’s important to seek grief counseling if you have a hard time keeping your daily activities in order. With a deepened understanding of the grieving process, you will be able to pick up the thread again and begin the process of healing.

3. Your use of substances has increased

Some people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the powerful emotions of grief and sadness. People who are grieving are at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder, as drugs and alcohol can easily become unhealthy coping mechanisms during this difficult time. However, in an attempt to numb the emotional pain, alcohol and drug abuse can ultimately snowball into a bigger problem than the one they are trying to solve.

4. You’re withdrawn and avoiding social interaction

If you feel like you cannot leave your home to see people or deny requests from friends or family to meet up without an excuse, it’s time to talk to a grief therapy professional. Avoiding social interaction and withdrawing is a red flag that you are having a difficult time processing grief—so why not find a helping hand?

5. You feel guilt around traumatic experiences

Unresolved grief is a type of complex grief. Typically, this type of grief is driven by a feeling of guilt around traumatic events that have triggered feelings of grief.

You might wish you had picked up the phone the last time a loved one called. Or come up with many ways how you could have handled or responded to a situation differently. Guilt is one of the most destructive feelings to carry around with you, and counselors for trauma therapy can help you work through that feeling.

Grief Counseling and Therapy at denova Collaborative Healthcare

Here at denova Collaborative Healthcare, our grief therapy counselors can help you pave your path forward through grief and help you on your healing journey. Make a grief counseling appointment or contact us today. denova Collaborative Healthcare is here to help.