Grief Counselling

What is Grief?

Throughout our lives, we may be confronted with a range of emotional experiences due to a variety of losses, such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or finances. Grief is a natural, yet sometimes overwhelming, response to such losses. To help with these feelings, Grief Counselling can assist in the processing of our emotions, so that we can find a way to move on. Questions like “why did this happen?” or “how am I going to make it through the day?” can plague our minds, but with the right care and support, we can find a way to cope and live life with joy again.

Coping with bereavement is an incredibly personal journey, as each individual handles their grief in unique ways. It is commonplace to experience a range of emotions as part of this process, such as denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance, which may be commonly referred to as the “stages of grief”. There is no set timeline for grief, and everyone must find their own way to work through their emotions. Grief counselling can help individuals to develop better strategies for dealing with their loss, so that their sorrow can become more manageable.

Complicated Grief

Sometimes, however, we can’t adapt to our loss. This is when “grief” becomes “complicated grief”. The major signs of complicated grief include:

  • Acute grief over a long period of time, as if the loss just happened
  • Difficulty concentrating due to a preoccupation with the loss
  • Feelings of worthlessness and meaninglessness
  • Recurring feelings of being numb or in a daze
  • Denial that the loss occurred
  • Changes in personal relationships
  • Avoiding grief altogether (e.g. avoiding anything that is a reminder of the grief)
  • Engaging in self-destructive activities (e.g. alcohol, drugs, risky behaviour)
  • Inability to regulate emotions

If you, or someone you know, may be experiencing complicated grief, getting proper support can help.

Next Steps

Grief is a powerful emotion, and bereavement can be a painful experience. However, grief and bereavement are necessary and normal experiences after loss. It is also normal to need the support of loved ones and/or professionals to move through grief in a healthy manner, and to avoid or treat complicated grief.

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