Sometimes people start therapy as soon as a death happens. If therapy starts soon after a loss, it likely means our work starts with managing daily symptoms and responding to the sudden changes of living in a world without your loved one. Other times, it takes months or years to feel ready to begin therapy work. That is okay, too. Grieving a loved one might mean something new at this phase of your life, for example, if you are now older than your parent was when they died or if you are getting remarried after the loss of a spouse.

Why should I get counseling around grief? Doesn’t everyone experience grief at some point in their life?

Many people are able to grieve well without counseling support but others cannot. That is totally normal. This might be because the circumstances of the death were extreme or unexpected. Additionally, sometimes a death close to us makes us remember other losses or comes at a time when we are otherwise very stressed. Therapy can be a safe place to process this loss with someone empathic and not personally involved (as other friends/family might be affected by this loss in a different way).

Your loved one will always be a part of who you are, but you don’t need to suffer under the weight of the loss.

We never really return to our old self from before the loss of a loved one. My hope for my clients as they leave the therapy room after grief work, is that they feel connected to their loved one but not like an open wound. My hope is that my clients know how to move through each day with ease. Yes, they may still be struck to tears or even weeping or other forms of expression of grief after our work is complete. My aim is that you know how to manage moments of deep emotion and to feel able to do your daily tasks without feeling forever unraveled by this loss.

If you’re ready to get support around your grief, reach out today to schedule your free 15 minute consultation call. My other specialties include therapy for climate anxiety, therapy after divorce, and therapy for anxiety.