Healing from Loss: Bereavement Counseling Can Help

Bereavement Counseling For Grief & Loss

Loss comes in different forms and for different reasons. A job loss is devastating and brings up so much pain of failure, anxiety due to the unknown and lack of routine. Grieving the loss of a loved one is shocking and painful, but is something that can be overcome.

What Are The Stages Of Bereavement, Grief And Loss?

Although people may be familiar with the five stages of grief described by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in 1969 (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance), research has shown that we cope with grief in a dual process described by Stroebe and Schut that goes back and forth between the experience of loss (sadness, anger, yearning, crying) and the experience of restoration (feeling “normal,” joy, contentment, laughing), which gives the bereaved a break from attending to their grief.

How Can Counseling & Psychotherapy Help With Bereavement/Grief?

Our brain is a “minimizing” organism. For example, you receive a diamond necklace and enter a euphoric feeling. Next week you look at your necklace and although you still love it, the same intense feeling is not evoked. Our brain does this to protect us against pain and suffering. Counseling helps activate this part of your brain and helps you work through your pain.



Issues For Grief/Loss Counseling

The stress of grief and grieving can take a physical toll on your body. Sleeplessness is common, as is a weakened immune system over time. If you are living with chronic illness, grieving can worsen your condition.

Social support, good self-care, and the passage of time are usually the best medicine for grieving. But if you find that your grief is making it difficult to function for more than a week or two, contact us. Treatment can help speed your recovery.