Individual and Couples Counseling
Is your heart broken? Do you lay awake at night thinking about what you’ve lost, who you lost, or question how you’re going to “get over” this? Is something inside (or outside) is telling you that you should be over it by now? What’s stopping you from healing? In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the basic concept and common challenges to grief counseling as a method of coping. If you’re searching for compassionate and effective grief counseling near you, you’ll also learn how to get started.
Pets often become cherished members of the family, providing unconditional love, companionship, and emotional support. Their presence can bring joy, comfort, and a sense of security to their owners. When a pet dies, there’s a deep sense of loss for the bond they shared, leading to a grieving process similar to that experienced when losing a human loved one.
Now, let’s move on to happy changes that might cause grief.
Unexpected triggers, ranging from a familiar scent to a song, have the profound ability to rekindle the raw emotions of grief, stirring up a whirlwind of painful memories and sensations. These triggers, typically not likely to hurt in nature, carry the power to take you back to the moment of loss, plunging you into an emotional abyss where sorrow, longing, and despair intertwine. In the wake of such reminders, the healing process can feel stalled, as wounds are freshly reopened and their hearts heavy again with sorrow. Despite efforts to move forward, these unexpected triggers serve as reminders of the enduring impact of loss, leaving you vulnerable and emotionally exposed.
The void created by loss is a tangible reminder of what is now missing. This void is characterized by a sense of emptiness, longing, and incompleteness, as if a piece of ourselves has been irreversibly taken away.
Most of us have adopted this believe that we need to grieve alone. Grief might make you feel isolated, misunderstood, or hesitant to reach out for support. Sometimes it’s hard to connect because there’s a fear of being a burden, feeling ashamed of your emotions, or experiencing social withdrawal due to the intensity of your grief. Plus, not having supportive people in your life can make you feel lonelier and emptier. Without a sense of belonging or a supportive network to lean on, you might find yourself on the grief journey alone, which can make the healing process longer and keep you from having peace and comfort in the midst of your pain.
When someone passes away, it often disrupts established roles and dynamics within relationships and families. For example, a surviving spouse may suddenly find themselves having to navigate new responsibilities and roles that were once fulfilled by their partner. Similarly, children may struggle to adjust to the absence of a parent or caregiver, leading to feelings of confusion and insecurity. These role changes can create a sense of upheaval and instability, making it hard to find their footing and establish a new sense of normalcy in the aftermath of loss. This can bring more grief and loneliness because you’re not just mourning their loss but also the loss of the roles and identities that were intertwined with the deceased.
The absence of closure can create a sense of emotional unfinished business, leaving survivors feeling emotionally adrift and unable to find peace. Processing these unresolved issues and finding a way to make peace with the deceased can be a daunting task, requiring self-reflection, forgiveness, and acceptance.
This only makes you feel even more isolated, alienated, and unable to seek support or openly discuss your grief with others.
Unlike anticipated losses, which may allow for some degree of preparation and closure, traumatic losses often happen unexpectedly and without warning, leaving you feeling thrown off from the shock and devastation of what happened. The sudden and violent nature of these losses can shatter your sense of safety and security, leading to intense feelings of disbelief, horror, and overwhelming emotional pain. At times, traumatic losses may create psychological trauma, symptoms like intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares.
Secondary losses manifest in various forms, such as financial strain, changes in living arrangements, or a loss of identity. You may now have to confront expenses related to medical bills, funeral arrangements, or the loss of a primary income earner. You might need to relocate or downsize, which can disrupt your sense of stability and security. And I’ve shared how having added responsibilities and new roles impacts your personal identity, creating another layer of uncertainty in their absence.
It’s common for you to reflect on missed opportunities or unresolved issues, leading to feelings of regret, remorse, and self-criticism. You might feel guilty for words left unspoken, actions left undone, or perceived shortcomings in your relationship with the deceased. This fuels a sense of helplessness and powerlessness to change the past, intensifying the pain of loss and prolonging the mourning process.
You may worry that as time passes and you begin to heal, you will somehow betray or dishonor the memory of your loved one. This fear may stem from a deep-seated desire to hold onto the connection and preserve their legacy. Or that as the pain of loss fades, you’ll feel guilty or disloyalty. This fear of forgetting can create a sense of ambivalence towards healing; on the one hand you want to honor their memory and find peace and acceptance in your grief.
Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.
The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.
Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.
I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.