Bereavement Counseling
Grief is a multifaceted response to loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement refers to the state of loss and grief is the reaction to loss. Grief is a natural reaction to loss. It is the emotional suffering one feels when something or someone the individual loses is taken away. The grief associated with death is familiar to most people, but individuals grieve in connection with a variety of losses throughout their lives, such as unemployment, ill health, or the end of relationship.
The Grieving Process-Every step of the process is natural and healthy. It is only when a person gets stuck in one step for a long period of time that the grieving can be unhealthy, destructive and even dangerous. Going through the grieving process is not the same for everyone, but everyone does have a common goal: the acceptance of the loss and to keep moving forward. This process is different for every person but it can be understood in four or more stages: shock and denial, intense concern, despair and depression, and recovery. Shock is the initial reaction to loss Shock is the emotional protection from being too suddenly overwhelmed by the loss. One may not be able or willing to believe what the mind know is true. This stage may last normally for two to three months. During the intense concern stage, one may not be able to think of anything other than the loss. This period may last from six months to a year. The despair and depression stage is a long period, the most painful and protracted stage of the grieving process. During this stage, the person may come to terms with the reality of the loss The process typically involves a side range of emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Many behaviors may seem to be irrational. Depression can include feelings of anger, guilt, sadness and anxiety. During the recovery stage, the goal of grieving is not the elimination of all the pain or the memories of the loss. In this stage, one shows a new interest in life and begins to function normally day to day. The goal is to reorganize one’s life so the loss is an important part of life rather than its center.
Grief is a natural reaction to loss. Grief Counseling aims to help people cope with grief and mourning following the death of a loved one or any life change that triggers feelings of loss. Bereavement counseling eases the process toward resolution. We are sympathetic to your personal loss and set out to help you deal with the next chapter of your life.