Grief is a normal response to loss and throughout our lives we experience much loss, some of us more than others. Loss can be experienced in many situations, not just relationships.
Some common situations include:
- the death of someone you love
- the end of a relationship with a partner
- losing your job, or retirement
- when the children leave home
- moving or migration to a new location
- change in physical or mental health.
We all respond differently to our life’s challenges and grief is no different.
It’s often said that we grieve the way we live – some people are very expressive and articulate and need to talk, while others will keep their feelings to themselves. And the grieving process takes as long as it takes, there’s no right or predictable time frame.
Grief can take time to work through and how much loss a person has previously experienced can also impact the healing process.
How counselling and therapy can help grief and loss
Following the death of a loved one the bereaved person is often very much alone, as many people don’t know how to manage grief themselves. It’s not uncommon for friends and family to avoid contact as they don’t know what to say or do.
Depending on the nature of the loss, the bereaved person may experience anything from a sense of helplessness, to assuming fault, to despair, and everything in between. It can often feel like a roller coaster of emotion. Therapy will help you through this time to learn ways to cope when you’re on your own.
Other losses such as loss of a job or relationship through separation or divorce, often leave people confused, angry and losing confidence and self-esteem. Therapy will help you find understanding and strategies to manage this time.
I use a number of different modalities to facilitate the healing process: talking, art therapy and journaling, to name a few. I work with you, and together we decide what the most comfortable approach is for you. Some people are more comfortable talking, while others prefer to use creative non-verbal approaches.
Sometimes, depending on the complexity of the loss or losses, only a few sessions are necessary in order for you to move through your grief and feel clear enough to go on with your life.