What type of counseling is needed when a person cannot get over the grief of losing a loved one?
Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Thriveworks grief therapists in Austin, TX have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.
How does grief and loss counseling work?
Grief and loss counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your provider at Thriveworks in Austin, TX will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.
Signs I should seek grief counseling
If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.
What counseling theory is best for grief?
There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they’ve lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.
Is grief counseling conducted in person or online?
Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does grief counseling last?
For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.
Need more help deciding?
Losing a loved one is never easy. We know that it can happen but it isn’t something that we are ever really prepared for. We don’t really think about loss until it happens to us. When it does, we feel the overwhelming waves of emotion. It is difficult. It is painful. It can be confusing. The counselors of Austin Grief Counseling want to eliminate some of the confusion and help you understand the process of grief and loss
Understanding the Facets of Grief
You’ve probably heard the words “grief”, “bereavement”, “mourning” and “loss” used to describe the death of a loved one. While they are often used interchangeably and can overlap, they are different.
- Grief is the term used to describe the overall way we experience of a loss – emotionally, physically, cognitively, socially and spiritually.
- Bereavement is the objective state of having lost a loved one
- Mourning is the “how” of grief – practices or rituals associated with how loss is expressed
- Loss is the actual losing of someone or something. The loss may be of a loved one, a beloved pet, a relationship or significant life change.
Grieving – What’s Normal and What You Can Expect?
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. There is no set amount of time. Grieving is a deeply personal experience. Healthy grieving tends to follow a predictable pattern. Each stage moves the person through an important part of the process and towards a place of peace and acceptance.
- Denial & Shock – This is usually the first reaction to loss. “This can’t be happening.” Feeling overwhelmed, numb, withdrawn
- Anger – Blaming self or others for the loss
- Bargaining – Seeking a way to avoid the loss from happening. It is the expression of hope that the situation is still reversible.
- Depression – Reality begins to set in. Feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness and helplessness emerge.
- Acceptance – The reality of the situation is acknowledged and the focus becomes on moving forward.
People experience all of the stages but not always in order. They may spend more time on one than another. They may break the pattern and go back and forth many times before coming to a place of acceptance.
How Can Counseling Help?
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get past those intense feelings. Grief can become overwhelming and distressing, making it difficult to move forward. When this happens, counseling can help. Counseling can help you begin the healing process and learn effective ways to cope with the emotions and stress associated with loss.
At Austin Grief Counseling, we understand how difficult a loss can be. We have experienced counselors who are ready to help. If you or a loved one are struggling with a loss, you don’t have to go through it alone. We can help. Call us today to schedule your confidential appointment.
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