Grief Counseling
Grief & Loss
There is so much expectation about how you “should feel” when experiencing grief or loss. There is no should, no right, no wrong way to feel when you’ve experienced the loss of someone or something dear to you. Grief is difficult to understand until you have experienced an important loss such as the death of a loved one. Until then, one does not really understand the depth of pain that comes with grieving. You hurt in a deep, physical way that can be felt all over your body. This pain feels unbearable at times. You may try to distract or close off your emotions in fear it will take over your whole life. If you try to avoid the emotional process of grieving, you may experience increased anxiety, depression or compulsive behaviors. It is healthy and natural to mourn our losses, sometimes you just need support in the how YOU need to go through the process. With grief counseling, I can help you find YOUR way through.
Are you experiencing some of these feelings?
- Shock– the initial reaction of being stunned or numb
- Difficulty making decisions
- Disbelief – feeling that the death is surreal or did not really happen
- Helplessness – difficulty in performing activities of daily living
- Hopelessness – feelings that life may not be worth living
- Forgetfulness – unable to finishing what is started, absentmindedness
- Fearfulness – that someone else will die or that they are going “crazy”
- Restlessness – inability to sit still or concentrate or maintain focus
- Anger – that the death has occurred or that the person has left them
- Guilt – over what was left unsaid or undone in the relationship
- Emptiness – felt physically in the chest or stomach or other physical symptoms
- Pain – felt physically in the chest or stomach
- Tearfulness – burst of emotions at unexpected times
- Depression – experience sleep/appetite changes/low energy/sad mood, etc.
- Anxiety – feeling pressured to get control of emotions and be “normal” again
These are all normal responses to grief. There is help for working through them.
Have you lost something other than a loved one?
“Grief and Loss” do not necessarily refer to bereavement of a loved one; it can also refer to loss of routine, loss of expectations, grief caused by environmental/social changes, etc.
How therapy can help with grief and loss
Even though well meaning, few people understand what it is like to grieve and most prefer avoiding the topic all together or give unsolicited advice. You may be feeling alone and sense that others are uncomfortable or inpatient when you discuss your feelings. Therapy gives you a place where you can relax, learn about, process and express your feelings freely without judgment. It can be a great relief to have someone who understands personally and professionally what grief and loss is like. I provide support and guidance through complicated emotions. You do not have to be alone on this journey.
The Benefits of Therapy for Grief & Loss
- Learn to work with your emotions
- Reduced self-judgment
- Increased coping skills
- Reduce feelings of isolation
- Get support for your choices
- Be heard and understood where you’re at
While I’m located in Ashland, OR, I offer online therapy for grief and loss to residents of Oregon, Georgia and Washington.
Return to your
Center of Balance
541-499-7338