Most of us, at some point in our lives, will experience loss, especially the death of a loved one. Grief, specifically bereavement, is a reaction to that loss.
Grief involves a range of feelings, including sadness, guilt, and anger. These feelings can be strong, mild, or somewhere in between. The reaction is shaped by the circumstances of the loss, as well as your background, environment, beliefs, and relationship with the person you lost.
There’s an adjustment period after experiencing a loss. You’re going to have run through a gauntlet of feelings and thoughts afterward. Sometimes, you may have a soothing perspective such as noting that they had a good life. In other cases, you might feel that it wasn’t their time. You might be understanding of the loss, especially if it was due to a chronic illness. On the other hand, you may blame yourself if the loss was sudden or surprising.
During the grieving process, you may engage in various behaviors. You may be open with your feelings, finding comfort in sharing thoughts and feelings with others as you process your loss. Other times, you may decide to keep it internal and opt to engage in activities you consider to be outlets, such as exercise, writing, or working.
It’s not limited to bereavement
We often connect grief with death, but it is not always the case. You can experience a grieving period such as after a divorce, loss of a job or business, or a falling out with a family member or friend. Many of us have experienced loss of normalcy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grief is a natural reaction to a significant change in your life that is a result of an event that you view as a loss.
Grief is not always immediate; sometimes there is a period of time that you don’t feel anything at all. Grief can emerge later as you come to terms with the loss and try to process it.
The grieving process may only last for a few weeks or months; however, it can be years long, especially if you struggle with adjusting to life after that seminal loss, whatever it may be. In any case, if you find yourself having trouble moving forward as if you are stuck in a continuous grieving process, then grief counseling may be beneficial for you.
What is grief counseling?
Grief counseling or grief therapy can help you manage aspects of your loss and your feelings of grief to help you move forward. Grief counselors study the stages or phases of grief and learn techniques to help clients adjust in healthy and constructive ways.
Houston Psychotherapists has clinicians that have extensive experience in providing grief counseling. Our clinicians will listen to you and help you develop a plan for moving forward.
We can help
We can help. We want to help. If you are experiencing severe grief or bereavement, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians.
Please note that we are not medical doctors and we do not prescribe medication.