Grief and Loss

Grief from loss is challenging to navigate.

The loss of a loved one is the most traditional sense of grief.

Over the last few years, people have experienced other types of loss. It may have been the loss of a house, a marriage, a job, mobility, a sense of identity, or other issues that can impact one’s lifestyle and vision for the future.

Everyone deserves to mourn a loss in their own way, no matter how big or small it may seem to others.

Although grief is a natural response to loss, processing grief is different for each person.

How does someone get through a loss?

Time does not heal all wounds. Actively working through a loss is an uncomfortable but necessary step to gain peace.

Warped thoughts about the event that led to the loss often keep people stuck. Thoughts that start with “I should have” or “If I had known” frequently lead to feelings of guilt and shame.

There are stages of grief that may involve refusing to acknowledge the loss, depression, or even anger.

Friends and family can help, but they may not appreciate how you feel and offer advice that seems impossible to follow. Having someone with you who understands the grieving process can make all the difference.

Hindsight is 20/20.

The first step is having self-compassion. Facing the emotions of pain, sadness, and anger is an integral part of the process. It can feel like the loss happened yesterday, even if it has been years.

Learning to stop holding impossible expectations for yourself can be the key to freedom from guilt and shame.

Accepting that the pain of a loss may be permanent, but it does not have to assume so much space in your heart.

Feelings of grief may ebb and flow throughout your life, which is reasonable. However, it is possible to move on with your life.

Therapy can make the process less challenging.

As a therapist who has worked with those suffering from grief and loss, I understand that each processes grief by their timetable. My role is to help clients realize that understanding their feelings takes time.

We start by talking openly about the loss and how the client feels. The client must know that what occurred, especially when someone dies, is not their fault. Then, we will work to find ways to process the grief and overcome the emotional upheaval that comes from loss.

One never completely overcomes loss, but with help, one can find ways to move forward while gaining the proper perspective about one’s loss.

Grieving alone is not the answer. Let’s work together to help you process your grief. Contact me today for more information on how I can help.