Are you feeling overwhelmed with grief?
It’s time for you to begin your journey to healing with Grief & Loss therapy.
We all know how tough it is to experience a loss.
Grief is a normal reaction to loss and happens repeatedly over the course of our lives. While the experience of grief & loss is universal, each of us grieves in our own way. Sometimes, we may find that grief & loss stays with us or feels overwhelming to the point that it interferes with daily living. Coping with grief can take a toll on you mentally and physically. For example, grief & loss may be accompanied by depression and anxiety. You may also experience changes in appetite and sleep patterns and other physical responses.
The different kinds of grief & loss
We are quite familiar with the grief & loss that comes when a loved one dies. However, there are many other kinds of losses that can affect us just as deeply:
Physical separation from a loved one, due to moving, abduction or the end of a relationship
Symbolic losses such as divorce, job loss, disability or the loss of some aspect of one’s identity
Loss of something tangible such as a home or business
Anticipatory loss from dealing with a terminal illness, political or social unrest, or fears about the state of the world
Loss of safety (emotional, physical or psychological)
Loss of hopes and dreams
Social Media and Grief & Loss
Social media is now a prevalent part of our society. Social media has positive aspects, including its ability to provide easy access to information and connect people literally worldwide. However, studies are emerging about the potential adverse effects of social media, including its impact on mental health.
For example, some people use social media as a form of escape from life’s troubles, or to cope with grief & loss, anxiety and depression. Social media can become addictive and adversely affect mood. “Doom scrolling,” or reading excessive amounts of “bad news,” can adversely impact one’s outlook on life. Some find a life led extensively through online interactions to be isolating.
Social media is also used as a weapon to assault and otherwise harm others. Online bullying, scams, and other harms can be as traumatic as similar offenses done offline. Social media-related traumas can happen to anyone, both adults and children. These harmful aspects of social media can cause feelings of grief & loss, anxiety, and depression.
Stages of grief & loss
There is no right way to grieve. We each experience grief & loss in our own unique way. Generally speaking, the following are part of a grief & loss journey:
Recognizing the reality of a loss
Expressing a range of feelings and emotions (sadness, anger, hopelessness) about the loss
Accepting and adjusting to life after the loss
Reorienting that which is lost from the physical world to the inner world of our memories and feelings
Gaining new perspectives and meaning in a life that no longer includes what was lost
We may go back and forth through these parts of the grief & loss journey or remain stuck on one for an extended period of time.
Grief & Loss therapy can help you heal.
Do you grieve a loss to the point you feel stuck? Do you avoid people and things that remind you of your loss? Talking about your grief & loss can help by validating feelings and affirming that you are not alone in having these experiences. Grief & loss therapy can help you navigate your grief journey and renew joy in your life.
You may believe therapy can help you but you still have questions about Grief & Loss Therapy.
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Yes, several treatment methods are proven to be very effective in helping clients who are dealing with grief & loss. Although it may seem impossible at this time, you can heal and feel better. Our therapists can help you navigate your grief journey in a way that addresses your unique issues. We have found that brain-body modalities such as EMDR and BrainSpotting can help some clients feel better faster than talk therapy.
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Yes, it is possible to get over grief on your own. Some clients come to therapy because they feel that the grieving process is taking too long, even though we all grieve in our own unique ways. Some clients feel a sense of grief, but they don’t know why. They come to therapy seeking help to find the source of their feelings of grief & loss. Clients may also seek therapy because although they feel functional, they want to go through part of their grief journey with an objective professional who can help them process their feelings, give them coping strategies or help them access new ways of thinking about their loss.
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While feeling sadness and anxiety over a loss is perfectly normal, you should consider seeking help from a therapist if:
Your feelings interfere with daily life (work, relationships or overall happiness) for an extended period of time
Your grief and related depression/anxiety seems to spiral and become difficult to control
You engage in at-risk behaviors (substance use, reckless driving, gambling to soothe yourself and cope)
Your grief starts to manifest as physical health problems
You are struggling with other mental health issues, such as past or ongoing trauma, including identity-based trauma
If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, you should seek emergency treatment.
You can overcome grief & loss.
Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute phone call for us to discuss how we can help you.