Grief
It is important to process the experience of and the emotions that surround a loss. Typical feelings associated with grief include sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, and confusion. In addition to these emotions, individuals who are grieving may have changes in their appetite, changes in weight and/or, have difficulties with sleep.
Individuals may avoid discussing the loss as well as avoid people or places that are associated with their grief.
Grief counseling helps individuals work through the feelings associated with the loss of a person, experience, relationship, pet, etc. Individuals can discover a new understanding of the loss and learn to normalize the grieving process. It is important to develop awareness of how avoidance of the grieving process can be impactful in order to prevent ongoing struggles.
Grief counseling also supports individuals in adjusting to a new life after the loss in order to eventually move towards accepting the circumstances. Individuals may also need to incorporate new coping skills to manage the potential impact on their daily functioning.
“ Life tossed us up into the air, scattered us, and we all somehow found our way back. And we will do it again. And again.”